Where do those mast wires go?

[Nelsonhow]

I'm redoing the Kenyon mast on my 1983 H-30.

The steaming and anchor light wires as well as the antenna cable run down a channel behind the mainsail track and exit at the end bottom of the mast. The PO had the wires and cables that run up from the cabin going through the mast shoe led out in front of the mast with plug connections on the outside of the mast. Not a pretty sight but easy to get to when things don't work. They set the mast each season and I pug the wires together......

In redoing the mast I'm tinking of moving the plugs to inside the base of the mast. Can the plug connections go inside of the mast? If I do this how do I proctet the wires for chafe and how do I keep the wires from fouling the halyards that run inside the mast? I assume if I do this the the yard will have to pug the wires together when the st the mast and it can only be service when I lift the mast at the end of the season/ The connections would then be out of the weather. If I do this how much play should I leave in the wires?

I'm sure this is simple but I just can't picture it in my minds eye ........
Advice or pics of how it't set up on other boats would be appreciated.....

 

[Ed Schenck]

Must be an H30 owner around with pictures. The problem I think is that the mast step is solid. Once the mast is off you are going to need to move the plug(s) to the mast step. If the step is hollow the mast bottom might be solid, like a peg that fits into a hole. That will really complicate the issue, even make it impossible. Personally I would want the plug in to be where it is. Much easier to reseal against water than if inside the mast.

 

[Nelsonhow]

The mast step is not solid. It has sheaves in the front for 4 internal halyards. In the back half there is a space where a short PVC pipe come us through the deck and the wires come up through the deck into the mast step. When the mask is sitting on the step the PVC picie is under the forward part of the mast. There is a channel between the sheaves where the PO lead the wires to outside the mast.

The mast step is kind of a male plug that fits into the female end of the mast. Kind of like a male female plug and socket combo.

This weekend I think try to take a picture of the mast step and end of the past to give you a better idea... If anyone out there has a pic of their boat it would really help.

 

[Ian McGain]

Epoxyed into deck- has not leaked since installed in May 2004

 

[Nelsonhow]

Ian,
I took your advice......and the picture below shows the result. Look just like yours. Drilled through 1/2" fiberglass, 1/4" aluminum plate, 2 inches of plywood and and another 1/2 of fibeglass. My hunter is built like a brick outhouse.....

The connections will be behind the trim board above the head slider to the main cabin. The trim comes off with 3 screws. My mast comes down each year so all I need do is remove the board and unplug the wires 2 wires and the antenna cable and feed through the pipe.

Thanks Ian,

Howard

 

[Ian McGain]

the only other suggestion is to seal the wires in the pipe with electric wire putty. It looks like a small grey brick and your can purchase in big box stores electrical section. Cost is under two dollars. Pull off a piece and rub in your hands to soften. Then push into pipe around the wires. this will seal the pipe and also keep out insects.
Ian