Windvane installation

[Ken Forman]

I am going to install a windvane on my mast and am interested if anyone could provide me information on how to best run the wire down through the mast. Also where to best run the cable from the junction box at the base of the mast back to the cockpit. The system I have is raymarine. Thanks for your help.

 

[John J Frank]

My thoughts...

I had to take my raytheon sending unit down this winter for rehab, so I had the yard drop my mast. If you are thinking of attempting this while the mast is up you will probably encounter some type of sealant at the mast step where the wires penetrate the cabin top, in my case it appeared to be 4200. My suggestion would be to validate, through Hunter, that they indeed caulk this area. If so, the mast will probably have to be dropped, unless you can figure out a way to raise the mast off the deck and simultaneously get to the top to mount the sending unit and lower the wire down the internal conduit. The thing is that even if you where able to get a cable through the sealant, you don't want to have water penetrating through the deck. Sorry, but I think your only option is to drop the mast. Then you could pull up a small line attached to the masthead light wires which would then allow you to pull it allong with your new wind sensor wires back down. From there my wires are routed up through the port setee, behind the fuse panel, though the head cabinet, along the aft berth headliner, through the bulkhead, behind and above the disel tank( drill a small hole from in the aft berth next to hump), pull the wire through and then up through your pedestal guard. If it sounds like a lot of fun and frustration, IT WAS! But I will admit that after reconfiguring my entire Raytheon ST50 package(i.e.,wind, knot, tridata, autopilot) it was all well worth it. Seatalk is a beautiful thing. Good luck.

 

[Dave Knight]

Agree with John Frank

I too have done what you want to do and what John did. The caulking at the mast step is something to deal with, and I believe can only be done with the mast down. It gives you a better chance to check everything on and in the mast and on top of the mast. And the frustration of pulling all that caulking out is nerve wracking. I used a puff of strong line below the cabin sole to get hooked by a fish tape poked down thru the mast step. And routed the wiring down the starboard side behind the icebox and stove to the wiring hole for the pedestal controls. The finished product is as John says, "Well worth it"