Running Wires Down the Mast

Rick Mathews · Post by **Rick Mathews** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 4:50 pm

I'm sure I read this somewhere in the old archives, but I forgot how to run an electrical wire down the mast. I'm installing an anchor light at the top of the mast, which is in trailering position at the moment. What's the easiest/best way to get the wire down the inside of the mast? I could push the wire six feet or so, but no farther. Thanks in advance.

TonyHouk · Post by **TonyHouk** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 4:53 pm

Electrical fish tape

mike · Post by **mike** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 5:02 pm

A "fish tape" can be found at Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.

I drilled the hole near the base of the mast, and fed the fish tape into that hole until it came out the top. I then taped the wire (in my case, an antenna cable) to the end of the fish tape with electrical tape... make sure you tape it securely, but also keep in mind you'll need to pull it out of the hole you drilled, so don't wrap too much on.

I had an assistant pull the fish tape while I was at the other end of the mast feeding in the cable and (thanks to the suggestion I read here) adding wire ties with the "tails" not cut off every few feet (to keep the wire from slapping around inside the mast).

--Mike

Nauti & Nice · Post by **Nauti & Nice** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:34 pm

Something I learned of the old Mac pages is to put a ty wrap every foot or so
as you feed the wire through the mast. Then you will never get any wire slap noise while at anchor.

George

Tom Root · Post by **Tom Root** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 8:55 pm

I havent had the need yet to do this on my X, but on other macs I used High test fishing line, tied a lead weight to it, and dropped it into the top a few feet, raised the mast, and let gravity do it's thing! Worked for me several times in the past!

Tom Root
2002 26

Great White
San Diego

TonyHouk · Post by **TonyHouk** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 10:09 pm

Tom,
The MacGregor 26X IS A SAILBOAT. How dare you bring fishing line around it. I am offended. Happy sails, Tony

Steve M · Post by **Steve M** » Tue Mar 09, 2004 9:34 am

I have an early 26M (#36) how can I feed wires up the mast ? It is filled with foam. Great design

mike · Post by **mike** » Tue Mar 09, 2004 10:22 am

Steve M wrote:I have an early 26M (#36) how can I feed wires up the mast ? It is filled with foam. Great design

MacGregor's website says: "A small tube will be cast into the mast flotation foam to allow the future passage of wires to the top of the mast."

I guess they've forgotten about doing this.

Take a look at this page for more info...
http://members.aol.com/jd8flying/mast.html

--Mike

Paul S · Post by **Paul S** » Tue Mar 09, 2004 10:51 am

Older 26M's did not have this channel.

We ordered and paid for a late 03 (model year 04) 26M which did not have a channel in the mast. The dealer swapped out the boat with one that had the channel in it.

We are taking delivery (finally) of our M (Hull 360) this weekend.

Paul

craiglaforce · Post by **craiglaforce** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 6:00 pm

What kind of foam is in the mast? Can you push it out or is it that sticky stuff from a can? Maybe you can dissolve it out with acetone or something? Or get a 35 foot long drill.
They sure seem to have done some weird design stuff on the M.
Maybe it wold be easier to just install an anchor lite somewhere else like on a stern pole and run the wire out the back. THis would also give you some cockpit lighting.

Rick Mathews · Post by **Rick Mathews** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 8:51 pm

Thanks for all the good ideas guys! I don't have any fishing line or lead weights, so if I have to buy something I suppose I should break down and buy an electrician's tape. The mouse and cheese idea sounded intriguing, though . . .

Steve M · Post by **Steve M** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 4:34 am

:idea: Was thinking of mounting a soldering iron to the end of a 17' EMT and pushing it through both ends

How does this sound to you guys?

Steve

Tom Root · Post by **Tom Root** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 7:21 am

Steve,

The method I recall from the old board is where someone took a 15' long, 1/2" thinwall copper pipe, tapered it a bit on one end, and proceeded to bore through each end, and met it the middle. Every 6" or so, he took it back out and dug the material out, fed it back in, and continued until he was able to finally succeed. I recall that he said it was laborous, but possible this way.

I am not sure that a soldering iron would be the way to go, noxious gases, and uncontrolled direction, would hamper your progress. Unless you attach it to a pipe. But it sounds messy, and it may burn the wire that goes to the nav light that is run through there. I guess you can break it also with the method I related to, but less chance IMHO!

Good luck, what I would also do is contact Macgregor INC, and ask what they recommend?

Tom Root
2000 26

Great White
San Diego

Paul S · Post by **Paul S** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 7:36 am

That was my #1 concern with out boat, after hearing about the foam here...I insisted that there be a channel in the mast before I took delivery. (No idea if it was done..haven't checked)

See if your dealer will swap out the mast for one that has a channel. Newer Mac masts are supposed to have a channel.

Paul

Tony D-26X_SusieQ · Post by **Tony D-26X_SusieQ** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 9:23 am

If an anchor light is the only thing you want to instal you may not need to. The only time an anchor light is required is if you anchor in a channel. If you anchor in an anchorage one is not required. Though it would give you an added measure of security.

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Running Wires Down the Mast

Running Wires Down the Mast

Wire in Mast

???

Re: ???

Foam in mast