Un-stepping and re-stepping a mast.

[Elysium_Van_Isl]

Definitely lots of great info! You guys are fantastic.
I did a search on the Yahoo Group website over the weekend and found a few photos there of some variations on wires entering the deck. I'm sure hoping for a socket or connector, but will be prepared for the worst. Either way I am not going to re-run new wires from the deck to the main panel....unless absolutely necessary. I know the wiring doesn't come out at the bottom of the compression post and as such is laminated in the headliner. It isn't tinned, and is absolute *hit, but since my VHF antenna is stern-rail mounted, and I have Marinebeam's solar / wind harvesting anchor light, there is only the spreader and steaming light to worry about. And I've never used the spreader lights.....
As much of the system as possible will be upgraded - LED's, new sockets, new wires and connector within the mast...but I have to draw the line somewhere. The whole thing started in order to tackle a suspected leak at the deck conduit pass-thru, but, since it's down am going to send off the shrouds to be replaced and replace the masthead sheaves. Like everyone else, I'll prioritise and go step by step.

 

[shemandr]

The workers at a former yard I used cut the wires. You could pull them out, supply 8" X 10" color glossy photographs with ex's and arrows and they would still snip the wires. They were ill trained and basically scared and they cut the wires. So I learned that when I re-placed mast wiring, I gave myself enough extra wire to allow 10 years of losing 2" to 3" every year.

 

[Elysium_Van_Isl]

The workers at a former yard I used cut the wires. You could pull them out, supply 8" X 10" color glossy photographs with ex's and arrows and they would still snip the wires. They were ill trained and basically scared and they cut the wires. So I learned that when I re-placed mast wiring, I gave myself enough extra wire to allow 10 years of losing 2" to 3" every year.

That's a good point Andrew.
Man, I'd be pissed at them though......

 

[Elysium_Van_Isl]

I am running through the jobs I need to do, on the new to us Catalina 1988 Tall rig, One need is to remove the mast and do a complete check and replacement of the standing rig. I have never done this but I am a bit do it yourself person and I have access to a bucket truck from work that the bottom of the bucket goes 37 feet and the lifting capacity is 300 lbs. Would you think this could handle a mast removal and install or should I plan on a crane. The nice thing with the bucket truck is you can get back up the mast to unstrap it. I hope to do this next fall unless someone tells me I need to replace some shrouds sooner rather than later. I am surprised there is no videos on youtube of someone doing a mast stepping on a Catalina 30. If you have any please share them.

Dam - If you're still considering pulling the mast I'll get some video of mine when it comes down. It'll be in March though as I have a bit of glasswork to do. I want the weather to be a little drier.