Downeaster Yachts.com - Topic: Wiring in mast/DE 32

Scott Carle on Wiring in mast/DE 32

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 04:50:35 -0500

Bill Amt of DE32 Saffanah, saw your question on the mast wiring and shared this with me to post. I have posted this and a also a few more higher res pictures in the scheadule for next week on the front page as well as under the info page for DE32's if you want to look at it now. http://downeasteryachts.com/th.....ast-wiring

I just re-wired the mast on my 32 and added and/or replaced the following:
· New VHF antennae
· New Aquasignal tri color with anchor light – all LED
· New Windex wind indicator
· New Tri-lense radar reflector
· New deck/steaming light – incandescent and halogen
· Fabricated several aluminum brackets to hold every thing at the mast head without interference
· I also added two mast steps at the mast head on which I can stand if I must go to change bulbs or do other work
· Also wrapped the mast at the mast head with a couple strips of reflecting tape. Hopefully I can direct a flash light to find Saffanah a crowded anchorage in the dark. Just shine the flash light up at various masts until I get a reflection off the tape. Especially important when I have had just one extra beer before stepping into the dinghy to return to Saffanah.
The conduit in the 32 is as you stated in the 38 and would suggest all wiring be replaced. I also ran a conduit through the deck so that there are no leaks between the deck and mast. Originally the wiring exited the mast at deck level and penetrated the deck – wanted to correct situation since I considered it to be a problem. Also set up wiring with pin plugs so I can easily remove and restep the mast without cutting wiring in the future.
Here is a view from the deck

Also here is a view of the mast head with the original anchor light that was on its last legs in my hand

This was not a cheap endeavor however. I bought a Aquasignal LED masthead tricolor and the radar reflector was not cheap at all. Took 92 feet of wire, because of the various separate lighting circuits in the mast – anchor light, tri color, deck light, and steaming light as well as new antennae wire. Set up my VHF and AIS radio with separate antennae – mast head for AIS and separate VHF antennae for communications mounted on radar arch. Wanted separate antennae and locations so if I were dismasted I would still have a VHF antennae mounted on the radar arch. Altogether have better than $1,000 invested in stuff plus 20 hours of my labor to fabricate supports, remove old wiring and add new wiring.

By the way – here is the antennae arch I just installed on Saffanah - will send photos of completed project once I install all of the items – radar, various antennae, dinghy davits, solar panels etc.

Isabella on Wiring in mast/DE 32

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 09:58:43 -0500

Cool! Sailing with snowcap mountains in the background. Seacock was not leaking and had not leaked since last week. Always subject to change so we're going to take care of this deal when Issie goes out of the water next week. Like fools we worked in the cold rain on the traveler. We appreciate everyones info and help!!

Suzanne

KachemakRa on Wiring in mast/DE 32

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 07:24:53 -0500

Suzanne: Good luck with the wiring and seacock project. I was drooling over Isabella when she was for sale. I know she is a beaut! Keep me informed if you should choose to part with her for a Cat. I am actively searching for a DE 32--preferably on the northwest coast; Isabella is so nice, a truck trip to Puget Sound for a sail up the inland passage, across the Gulf of Alaska, across Prince William Sound, around the Kenai Fjords and the Peninsula home to Homer.

Rick

Homer, AK

SV Tichuk

http://www.homeryachtclub.org/

contact: Kachemakra@gmail.com

Isabella on Wiring in mast/DE 32

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 17:38:35 -0500

Thanks Scott - We are getting ready to have the boat on the hard anyway for the wiring so we'll do the seacock at the same time. We are also having catamaran lust and are half way looking at 36PDQ's. We love our boat and she is in great shape but if we decide we're going to cruise the majority of the year, then we may make the jump to the Cat. If we do put Isabella on the market, someone will have a fabulous boat.

Seacock is only dripping so I hope I have a week or so . . .

Scott Carle on Wiring in mast/DE 32

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:41:25 -0500

If your seacock is leaking around the handle when you move it then it is time to refurbish it or replace it. I'm not sure if you can refurbish.... Most likely your easiest option is replace. However you will have to haul out the boat to do so. if it isn't leaking much this can probably wait on your convenience.

As to the wiring ... scott seems to have that covered. I need to go through mine on valkyr but havent gotten to that in the mast yet.

scoctt carle

Isabella on Wiring in mast/DE 32

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 13:17:37 -0500

Thanks so much Scott. Looks like we'll put Isabella on the hard and have a few things taken care of. Great info!!!!

Scott Maxwell on Wiring in mast/DE 32

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 01:41:52 -0500

On Amatheia (a DE 32) the wiring for the tri-color/anchor light enters the mast on the starboard side at the top of the mast tube. It then enters a coduit that has been riveted into the inside of the mast and travels down to the base. The photo below shows the starboard side of Amatheia's mast. The tri-color mount is in the center of the mast at the top (it has some blue tape on it). The two rivets holding the conduit can be seen just aft (left) and above the upper spreader mount.

The below picture is from 2 years ago when I first purchased her. You can see the wiring hanging from the starboard side and kind of drooping down at the base of the mast. The conduit ends a foot or so above the base.

It may be that the wiring inside the cabin is faulty, mine was where it travelled under the sole below the head and cabin walkway. I'm not at all sure that I could replace the mast wiring with the mast in place. The hole in the cabin overhead is quite small. It may well be possible though.

I hope this helps a little!

Scott M.

Isabella on Wiring in mast/DE 32

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 20:54:44 -0500

We are in search of info regarding the wiring in the mast of a DE32. We need to add a steaming light on the mast, work on getting the spreader lights to work and hopefully our anchor light. We know the wiring is in the wall in the head but wonder if the wires run in the front of the mast? We had our furler for the jibe put on yesterday and found there are issues with the connection for the antenna. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I also read about the seacock replacement. Ours is dripping a little in the galley, but not at the hull, just when I move the handle to close the seacock. Trouble???

I am new to all the correct words for things regarding sailing so please bear with me.

Thanks, Suzanne