Two previous owners ago, a radar was installed on Island Jade. It was installed in a Nav Pod and looks good EXCEPT the wiring comes down the mizzen shrouds and into the combing, through the engine compartment and then back up through the binnacle. The wiring is fastend to the shrouds with dozens of wire ties. I am replacing the Radar and adding a Garmin 4210 chart plotter. Those external wires have to GO! Do I just drill a hole in the mizzen mast under the radar mount and again at the base of the mizzen? I've read the posts about the 10 (or however many) pin connector and that seems reasonable, BUT. In Texas, we don't take our masts down unless they are hit by lightning ;D so the connector may not be as necessary. Am I going the right direction? Will a 1/2" hole in the mast cause any strength issues? I plan to send the fearless mast climber up there to drop a weighted line down so I can send the wires up. Am I missing something? Chime in here, Please!
Wireless in Texas
bnowlin48 on
Island Jade
My radar cable takes the route through the mast as you describe with waterproof connections in under the radar mount, out near the base of the mast & into the cockpit floor.
I am not sure how adventurous you are but how about this...
The vertical lip on the mizzen step is around 3/4" high. If you loosen your mizzen shrouds and have an 1" of vertical "play" you could bear hug and lift your mizzen up off of your step and place the butt on a chunk of 2x4 just forward of the step. I can pick the mizzen and carry it alone.
Remember the stick can't fall over because of the shrouds and the twin mizzen backstays. It can't go backwards because of the triasic stay. You could then drill through the base for the wire. If you prefeed your messinger line into the base of the mizzen you could drop that on through the new hole before you replace the spar on the base.
For those of you who doubt this you can step or remove your mizzen by attaching your main halyard to the top of the mizzen mast and slowly raising the mizzen spar from the horizontal position on a pier or dock. A helper keeps the butt end from dragging. Once the mizzen is hanging totally from the main, the butt end is swung to its base while the spar is lowered. The weight of the mizzen must be on the main halyard. Hook up your mizzen shrouds and pull the mizzen back vertical with your twin mizzen backstays. You must have a line facing forward to keep the mizzen from falling backwards until the triasic is attached.
Dale
I lifted the mizzen on Abracadabra using the main boom and halyard. I used the mizzen and mizzen staysail halyards for temporary shrouds. I lifted it 3 different times about 6" with that method. The key is take your time and keep the mast near vertical. I did it by myself with no distractions. You get too many people tugging on things and it can get away from you. Don't forget to slack the main sheet tackle as you lift. That little mast seems to get really heavy if you forget that little detail...
Hi Island Jade.
I am here in Clear lake area and would be more than willing to assist you, I have significant rigging experiance indeed I teach High Angle & Confined Space Rescue 200# guy or 200# mast not an issue. I aggree the only way for the cable, is to go through the mast base and into the engine compartment this is going to need a good long drill bitt, the support beam is about 4 or 6 inches.
If your interested in some help my cell # 281-435-6836.
we are racing Sat afternoon in the GBCA Rum Race but other than that I could help.
Ed
S/V Moonlight Mile
Hi
when i fitted radar on pilgrim i fed the wire in a hole just below the radar dome i think mine was a 5/8 hole (garmin unit),i drilled another hole in the bottom of the mizzen mast approx 6in up from the base,then drilled a hole 6in up from the floor in the cockpit along side the mast and fitted a cable gland to take the two cables,there is a gap between the outside moulding and the plywood facia on the inside approx 2in the wire's then just drop down along side the wiring loom behind the plywood facia,
have fun ocean pilgrim
Ok Then! Just pick up the mast and drill a hole in the step. Ed, I'll be in touch ;D
Thanks
bnowlin48