Running VHF cable up the Mast

[James V]

Chip - as I recall, the mast was stuck in the mud.
there is a thread on this

[Hamin' X]

or, here's another option for "on the deck"...

this unit sits on top of the deck, has a male connection on top which would require a female adapter on the mast end. has a female end on the underside. a clean looking application.



any thoughts on either of the above applications

This appears to be a type 'N' fitting. From a communications, as well as a weather-proof standpoint, they are much superior to the standard PL259/SO239 UHF type fittings. You will have to go to a two-way radio shop, or find a well equipped Ham, to have the connectors put on your cables. Also, someone mentioned taping connectors to keep out water. This will have minimal effect. Go to an RV supply store and get some Butyl Tape. This is easy to use and is self-vulcanizing. Mold it around the connectors for water-proofing, Then wrap with a single layer of Scotch-33, or 88 tape, for UV protection. This is Standing-Operational-Procedure, in the communications industry.

Rich

[Frank C]

Frank wrote: Even with a completely empty ballast tank, the 26X won't turtle.

I believe this is simply not so. If you have evidence that it is true, I'd like to see it.

The 26X which capsized on Lake Champlain four years ago, killing two children who were trapped inside, was reported to have turtled almmost immediately and to have remained inverted until the next morning, when it was righted by a salvage boat.

I don't recall the details reported of that tragedy, don't recall it was turtled, and don't recall it was known to be completely unballasted. I DO recall those reports mentioned 11 persons hanging aboard when it capsized, and some degree of surface chop. IMO, any boat will turtle if the hatches are submerged long enough to fill the cabin with water - as would happen when some half-dozen crew (at least) are hanging onto rigging or standing on submerged rigging.

I feel that this topic is valid and valuable, but it belongs in the Mods section - so I am starting a new thread in Modifications, on the topic of Mast Buoyancy.

[Catigale]

The Champlain boat was unballasted and did turtle

The contributing factors to this were severe overloading and a hard over helm combined with a big burst of throttle, and alcohol consumption...

[Jacque ll]

Thanks for all the help. My M is a first year model. It does not have the new mast support but the old post on the pedestal. Doesn't work well. I was not aware that there would be more foam in the mast other than at the top and bottom. There is no cable chase in the mast either. I did look at using a lower loss coax but since I had 80' of RG58 I decided to try that first.
Re turning turtle. I am an old cat sailor and have much experience in sailing in stable 2. (mast straight down) It does not matter if you have a floating mast. The problem is water in top of the sail holding the boat over. With a cat the wind (and you only go over when it is windy) the wind pressure on the trampoline holds the boat down. The same may be true for a Mac with high freeboard. Once water gets inside the little floatation from the mast won't help right the boat.
Thanks again and now off to the store for some plastic conduit.

Peter

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

My thinking is that an unballasted Mac M would be less likely to turtle than an unballasted Mac X because of the additional 300 lbs built in.

[Helaku]

I have had a cat go over on it's side and more than anything it is not the mast but the sails in the water that make it a real bear to right.

[Jim Bunnell]

Peter, my M is also an early run. There was a LOT of foam in my mast, probably 60-70 % of the length. It took a while to get through with the conduit, but it worked eventually. The pedestal mounted mast support is a pain. I replaced mine with the newer design and it is much better. Not very much work to change, but you do have to make access openings into the transom side walls.