[C320-list] In-mast wiring

[P.F. Ross]

All,

Before you go cutting a hole in the base of the mast (although my guess is
that a 2" round hole is not a problem), I suggest pulling up the narrow bit
of cabin sole just aft of the compression post.  This is where my mast
wiring connected to boat wiring in some kind of a waterproof box.  At least
this is what I recall when I un-stepped the mast in 2014.

I completely rewired the mast when down and ran all wires to their final
destinations without any junctions when stepping the mast.  I left plenty
of slack wire coiled up in the bilge so that the next time the mast has to
come down it will be easy to cut those wires and add a junction box.

Frank Ross
Beta Wave #206



On Mon, Jul 29, 2024 at 6:48 PM Rich via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> Question to you all: is it feasible to put a round 2” diameter hole near
> the base of the mast to be able to fish out connectors and service them
> with the mast up? The hole would be covered with an aluminum plate. I have
> seen this sort of things on other boats. Are there reasons not to do this.
> It may help in this situation.
>
> Rich Allen, SV Destiny, #265, 1995
>
> Mobile device, please pardon any errors
>
> > On Jul 29, 2024, at 6:18 PM, Mark Seyler via C320-list <
> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> >
> > On my 1995 No. 232, the cables from the masthead ran to connectors
> inside the base of the mast.  The wind indicator wires were connected to
> wires from the helm in a separate box that was taped over with many layers
> of electrician's tape. The wiring for the anchor light and steaming
> light/deck light led to a 4-pin connector.  The masthead VHF antenna had
> its own PL259 connector, also taped over many times.  If your set up is
> like mine was, you may have to pull the mast to replace the cable.
> >
> > When replaced the masthead wiring 2 years ago I pulled extra wire
> through the compression post, and ran unbroken wires  all the way to the
> helm for the wind instrument, and to the nav station for the lighting and
> VHF cables.  I left a foot or so of extra wire in the bilge at the base of
> the mast, so I could splice in connectors there if I need to pull the mast
> again.  But even then I won't have any connections I can't reach without
> pulling the mast.
> >
> >
> > Mark Seyler
> > S/V Reality,
> > Catalina 320, #232
> > New Orleans, LA
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of
> Tong Yi via C320-list
> > Sent: Monday, July 29, 2024 3:00 PM
> > To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> > Cc: Tong Yi <laowai1975 at gmail.com>
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] In-mast wiring
> >
> > I’m replacing my wind instrument cable. This runs through the
> compression post to the bilge then routed back to the wheel.
> >
> > I have hull 787
> >
> >> On Mon, Jul 29, 2024 at 3:42 PM Steve Weinstein via C320-list <
> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> I should know the answer to this, but before I go poking around, where
> >> are the cable connections for the in-mast wiring and where to the
> >> cables run to the inside of the boat?  Do they run down the
> >> compression post, or are they under the headliner?  Are the connectors
> >> in the mast step or inside the mast, or elsewhere??  How are the
> >> accessed?  Thanks!!  I've avoided messing with the wiring in the mast,
> >> but I have a few problems that have now popped up that need attention.
> >>
> >> Steve Weinstein,2000 C320 #722, Vega
> >>
> >
>