drilling the spar for steaming/deck light
Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2016 2:26 pm
I am asking this question after having done the job but, since I have to do it again, I thought I would reach out.
Background:
During prep for the Transpac I had the mast out to accomplish a few things
Replace the VHF antenna - worked great with HUGE caveat described below.
Replace the RG 58 VHF cable with low loss LMR-400 - worked great
replace masthead wire insulation - retained original Belkin multi-conductor power cable but replaced old gnarly insulation with new pipe insulation foam - worked great
Moved wind transducer from stern mounted pole to masthead - worked great aand vastly improved accuracy
install LED tricolor/flasher/anchor light including wiring - worked great with caveat deccribed below
replace masthead steaming light with mid mast steaming/decklight combo from Forespar - worked great - for a few days
Mistakes I made - a bunch
used a boatyard which focused mostly on power boats. Did a lot of cosmetic damage to the mast and interior. Like an idiot I was not on site for unstep and step. Never again. Headed to Berkeley Marine Center this time. They have lots of experience with SVs
Misaligned the tricolor by about 10 degrees
Placed the new steaming/deck light about four feet above the jib halyard exit and did not install a guard. As a result found myself in mid Pacific with a fouled main halyard which took three hours to clear. This happened twice. This and other stuff like it cost me 36 hours more or less, a huge hit to my performance.
Purchased and installed a Tram VHF whip antenna which has a serious design defect. The whip can and did twist itself off the base of the mount leading to loss of the antenna which, in turn caused loss of AIS and VHF. This happened once on the way out and once on the way back. Took that long to figure out what was going on. The first time I thought it was a fluke, second time I realized something was wrong. I simulated mast top movement by hand and was able to walk the antenna right off the base. Wow!!
failed to reseal the mast deck penetration properly and had terrible leakage over to Hawaii and back.
failed to inspect mast base movement and experienced the infamous "mast bang" for 5000 miles.
Did a poor job of wiring the new steaming/deck light. Wiring has failed (as I half expected it would when I installed it).
My only defense is I was way late with my prep. and I was going to race come hell or high water. I had a pre race inspection which was scheduled as soon as I left the yard so I just had to get out of there. Obviously I got in to much rush.
Now, finally to my question.
In all of the above, the only mast drilling I had to do was for the install of the steaming/deck light. I drilled four small holes for the light flange fasteners and a 1/4 inch hole for the wiring. I am going to have to expand the wiring hole to accommodate a newly purchased 3 conductor cable. Probably something on the order of 3/8 inch. This time instead of trying to splice into the main cable to the masthead, I am installing a dedicated cable for this light.
Is a 3/8 inch hole going to be a problem?? Heck, I already have a 1/4 inch hole up there and survived 40-45 KT winds so I assume the answer is yes but what do you all think?
Mike
Background:
During prep for the Transpac I had the mast out to accomplish a few things
Replace the VHF antenna - worked great with HUGE caveat described below.
Replace the RG 58 VHF cable with low loss LMR-400 - worked great
replace masthead wire insulation - retained original Belkin multi-conductor power cable but replaced old gnarly insulation with new pipe insulation foam - worked great
Moved wind transducer from stern mounted pole to masthead - worked great aand vastly improved accuracy
install LED tricolor/flasher/anchor light including wiring - worked great with caveat deccribed below
replace masthead steaming light with mid mast steaming/decklight combo from Forespar - worked great - for a few days
Mistakes I made - a bunch
used a boatyard which focused mostly on power boats. Did a lot of cosmetic damage to the mast and interior. Like an idiot I was not on site for unstep and step. Never again. Headed to Berkeley Marine Center this time. They have lots of experience with SVs
Misaligned the tricolor by about 10 degrees
Placed the new steaming/deck light about four feet above the jib halyard exit and did not install a guard. As a result found myself in mid Pacific with a fouled main halyard which took three hours to clear. This happened twice. This and other stuff like it cost me 36 hours more or less, a huge hit to my performance.
Purchased and installed a Tram VHF whip antenna which has a serious design defect. The whip can and did twist itself off the base of the mount leading to loss of the antenna which, in turn caused loss of AIS and VHF. This happened once on the way out and once on the way back. Took that long to figure out what was going on. The first time I thought it was a fluke, second time I realized something was wrong. I simulated mast top movement by hand and was able to walk the antenna right off the base. Wow!!
failed to reseal the mast deck penetration properly and had terrible leakage over to Hawaii and back.
failed to inspect mast base movement and experienced the infamous "mast bang" for 5000 miles.
Did a poor job of wiring the new steaming/deck light. Wiring has failed (as I half expected it would when I installed it).
My only defense is I was way late with my prep. and I was going to race come hell or high water. I had a pre race inspection which was scheduled as soon as I left the yard so I just had to get out of there. Obviously I got in to much rush.
Now, finally to my question.
In all of the above, the only mast drilling I had to do was for the install of the steaming/deck light. I drilled four small holes for the light flange fasteners and a 1/4 inch hole for the wiring. I am going to have to expand the wiring hole to accommodate a newly purchased 3 conductor cable. Probably something on the order of 3/8 inch. This time instead of trying to splice into the main cable to the masthead, I am installing a dedicated cable for this light.
Is a 3/8 inch hole going to be a problem?? Heck, I already have a 1/4 inch hole up there and survived 40-45 KT winds so I assume the answer is yes but what do you all think?
Mike