26M Mast Antena

[captin5317]

Looking for advice! I need to run antena cable through my mast. Problem is there is foam in the mast. Wondering if anyone has done this, and if so any ideas on the best way without destroying the fom?
Thanks Much: Bruce

[Paul S]

Looking for advice! I need to run antena cable through my mast. Problem is there is foam in the mast. Wondering if anyone has done this, and if so any ideas on the best way without destroying the fom?
Thanks Much: Bruce

Having read about the foam in the mast, I made sure that I had the dealer run a channel for me in the sales agreement.

Its not the end of the world..but you have to remove the mast from the boat..remove the top and bottom caps..

What my rigger did..took some pvc pipe, shaved the end into a sharp edge...shoved it in..twisted...pulled the foam out...remove plug in pipe..repeat..repeat..repeat...Left the pvc in for a channel for the antenna, and anchor light (run a 2 pole wire to the top with the antenna wire while you are at it...you dont want to do this again)

Also, while it was apart... I installed a running and foredeck light while the mast was off the boat...the foredeck light has been great for nite use..especially where you can rotate the mast..it will illuminate the cockpit too..

for electrial hookup..there were 4 wires (anchor, running, foredeck, common ground). I replaced the deck plug with a 4 pole connector from West.

Here is a picture of the new 12volt panel I installed...and a switch bank for the lights...one switch for running OR sailing, one for foredeck, one for anchor.



here is a link to what I had done:
http://home.comcast.net/~testdelete/mac ... index.html

A toppling lift was installed 'while we were at it'

Worked out well.

Paul

[Versasail]

Go to home depot buy 3- 10ft lenghts 1/2" EMT ( Electrical Department) also a peice of 1/2" copper water pipe 12' long. In the tool department get two metal drill bits that fit tightly (when driven in with a block of wood and hammer) inside the EMT (slightly larger than 5/8"). Cut the Copper pipe in half and drive half way into the end of two of the EMT tubes. Put a couple of POP rivets in place to hold the EMT and copper sleaves in place. Slide the EMT over the copper sleaves and POP rivet in place as well. You should now have a section of EMT that is 30 ft long. Drive the drill bits into the ends of the EMT. Hopefull you got a stepped shank size that fits into your drill chuck. You now have a 30' long drill Bit Use a Variable speed drill and turn it realy slow. Have your partner guide it into place (wearing gloves) I found it best to drill on the back side of the mast to avoid the other wires. While your at it you may want to run a couple of extra wires up there as well. Good luck. Garry

[Frank C]

OR ... just mount a whip antenna on an aft quarter. Will a mast top antenna add value? Kinda depends on whether you're going to be over the horizon from land.

Not too many Macs travel that far from shore. When I get out that far, I want a couple of other Mac buddies nearby.

[Paul S]

OR ... just mount a whip antenna on an aft quarter. Will a mast top antenna add value? Kinda depends on whether you're going to be over the horizon from land.

Not too many Macs travel that far from shore. When I get out that far, I want a couple of other Mac buddies nearby.

It is nice to have the ability to have a long distance communication..

What we do..90% of radio use is the handheld. The rest of the time is listening inside...but the main reason having the mast top, IMHO, is for the DSC emergency button. If there is ever a need to press it, I want as many boats in the area to know about the emergency...my mmsi#...lat/long ...etc. I know it is not officially monitored by the coast guard everywhere..but many other boaters have this ability (and I suspect many CG boats too)

How bad would it suck..if the only radio onboard another boat that could respond was just out of range of a regular antenna.

If the boat is ever demasted (or antenna damage(, I do have the little 'emergency' antenna from West....just in case.

You can never have enough emergency communication onboard, IMO..

For regular use, a stern mounted antenna will be fine. I am generally never satisfied with fine though.

Paul

[Chip Hindes]

I was under the impression the foam was installed only for a foot or so at the top and bottom. If that's the case, you don't need a 30' drill bit, you only need a one foot drill bit. Somebody who actually has an M and has done this can tell you how much.

I'm thinking it's only foam; make your own core drill. Take a length of copper pipe or thinwall conduit and cut a series of slots in one end, so you have a castle shape, then bend one projection slightly inward, one slightly out, etcetera, all the way around and you've got a homemade, foam eating core drill. You could sharpen them if you want but I don't believe it would be necessary. Chuck it in a drill, run it real slow, and you should be able to core out a nice hole in short order.

This is not by any means guaranteed to work, but I'm thinking it should.

I believe some people have run conduit the entire length of the mast. This is good for protection of the wires, but adds weight aloft. I'm also guessing the conduit banging the inside of the mast could make the traditional halyard slap seem like complete silence. Maybe you could drill a (very small) hole or two at intermediate locations and inject some foam in to hold the conduit in place. If you run "bare" wire, the traditional method is to put a zip tie around the wire bundle every few feet, and leave the tail hanging to hold the wire bundle against the inside of the mast.

Keep in mind, the foam is not the primary floatation aspect of the system; the idea is that the foam at the ends keeps the water out and makes the entire mast a flotation device. Once you've run the wires, need to to reseal the ends and any additional holes you've made, to retain this aspect.

I've often thought this would be an easy, cheap, and effective retrofit to the X.

[Terry]

Chip,
There is also a section of foam somwhere in the middle, I know this because I saw it there when I cut the damaged end of my mast off and kept the remaining 18.5 feet which still lays at the side of my house if anyone wants it. I can't see past it to confirm any more sections but there were at least three in my first mast. As for my new one I have not looked but now that I have some ideas for drilling it, I will know in the next month or so. I too like the idea of the antenna being higher.

[captin5317]

I thank all of you for your time and replies. We bought our 05 26M last July. I found this web site right away. If I had learned to use it properly I would have noticed all the mods listed <SMILE>. I have spent about 6 hours on this site today alone reading everything I could find. Lots of incredible information. Watching my boat getting covered with snow today I can at least get my sailing fix here.
Thanks again Bruce

[Chip Hindes]

Chip,
There is also a section of foam somwhere in the middle

Uh, oh. So now you need a 15 foot drill if going from both ends.

Guess you need to be pretty careful with your core drill not to damage the existing wires.

I think it would be incredibly easy for Mac to install this at the factory before they put the foam in, and it's pretty crappy that they don't, as they said they did for so long on the factory website.

[Divecoz]

So some where there is a chart showing that if you raise your antenna the extra 20 feet you gain very little . . as I recall .
I too as have others mounted mine to the mast carrier. I may someday regret it . . we will see this summer. As many have said getting thru the foam should be No Big Deal . . Its foam and I doubt though I have no proof that there is only a bit top and bottom the mast Sounds hollow and wouldn't if it was full of foam. . . On the cool factor Mast vs. Crutch ?? Mast all the way Repair adjust not that much harder . . in the end its your call .

[Paul S]

when ours was done..there was 3-4 areas of foam forming 2-3 pockets.

As far as I know the Macgregor website STILL says there is a tube cast in the foam to run wires.

Captain...check out my www for a lot of M mods I have done...I have a lot more..but the website hasn't been updated in a while...got some work ahead of me...

If you have any questions on mods...drop a note on the board...im sure someone has had a need to do just about everything

Paul

[Moe]

The line of sight distance depends on the height of both the sending and receiving antennas, and their distances to the horizon. Here's a VHF Line of Sight Calculator. Use height to the middle of the antenna.

[Divecoz]

Thats the site all right

[baldbaby2000]

I'm thinking it's only foam; make your own core drill. Take a length of copper pipe or thinwall conduit and cut a series of slots in one end, so you have a castle shape, then bend one projection slightly inward, one slightly out, etcetera, all the way around and you've got a homemade, foam eating core drill. You could sharpen them if you want but I don't believe it would be necessary. Chuck it in a drill, run it real slow, and you should be able to core out a nice hole in short order.

This is essentially what our dealer did to ours. He got the pipe from a welding shop and said it was pretty easy.

[Versasail]

Chip, I do own a 05 M and have done it, or I woudn't have posted a reply. Unlike you I don't post an answer to a question without actualy knowing what I'm talking about. Or making insulting comments.