wires from masthead to cabin... transition?.

centerline

centerline

.
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
on a Cal 34 with its deck stepped mast, how do the wires transition from the mast to inside the cabin?
the boat came with a new in-the-box anamometer and cable and I want to run the cable to the gauge, but I need more information...

I know the wires run inside the mast, and from there to inside the boat. its a Lefiell mast and there is no visible tabernacle and no noticable access plates, and no waterleaks, so how does all this magic happen?
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
centerline said:
on Cal 34 with its deck stepped mast, how do the wires transition from the mast to inside the cabin?
the boat came with a new in-the-box anamometer and cable and I want to run the cable to the gauge, but I need more information...

I know the wires run inside the mast, and from there to inside the boat. its a Lefiell mast and there is no visible tabernacle and no noticable access plates, and no waterleaks, so how does all this magic happen?
Click to expand
mine has a deck stepped mast s well ...my wires came out of the front of the mast..and went through the deck with a fitting that leaked ...so i didn't like that and when i made my tabernacle plate i drill a hole in the plate to except the fiberglass tube that i install with thickened epoxy...then set the tabernacle plate with butyl tape and then the mast plate on top of that ..also using butyl tape there ..then i bolted it all down to the deck with 3/8 flat head machine screws....i still have to seal up the holes in the deck and gel coat it over..see photos attached...

regards

woody
 

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Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,320
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
On my old Cat 27, deck stepped mast, the lighting wires are bundled at the bottom of the mast with connectors... when you lift the mast up there is enough slack in the wire to connect or disconnect the wires before continuing. The lighting wires continue through the deck to join the 12volt harness that is imbedded in the cabin liner (higher quality boats would probably have a more accessible harness). I wouldn't go that way, though.

The aftermarket anemometer's cable was obviously not part of the harness... Instead of joining the internal 12v harness, one of the previous owners ran the cable outside at the bottom of the mast to a deck mounted, water tight connector... the cable continues inside the cabin to the electrical panel...in my case, down the mast compression post, through the bilge then back up to the panel. When I replaced the cable for a new unit some years ago I went the same way.

I added a new, metal 4 pin, deck mount, screw in connector I found at West Marine.... currently about $20. They probably sell it here also.
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
8,001
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I like the arrangement that Woodster shows. It's within the perimeter of the mast and so somewhat out of the elements and not subject to being kicked by crew. The tube is nice to keep the wires out of pooling water.
I would make the wire down the mast too long so there can be a drip loop, and you'll extra for when a boatyard employee cuts the wires when unstepping the mast. Also you can put a terminal box on a bulkhead where the wires come thru the mast step or nearby. Then you can disconnect them before the mast is taken down, so that yard workers don't get a chance to cut the wires.
 
Gunni

Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
I like to see the cable pass-thru exposed on deck where can inspect and maintain it. I clean and dab mine with a silicone sealant each spring. Dry.
 
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