I want to add a mast top vhf antenna and have read the helpful posts on this topic.
i tried today to remove the mast top which seems to be made of grp - despite removing all the fixing screws and tapping quite hard I could not shift it.
Does anyone have any advice, please.
John
ASHANTI 26M
Hi John,
I removed mine a few weeks ago to wire up my new wind transducer. After removing the screws you mention it slipped off easily.
I imagine someone wanting to keep water out may have put a film of sealant/adhesive on before refitting the lid.
Perhaps a slim blade could release it.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
The mast on my 26M had foam up the middle of it so some might be holding the top in place. I then needed to use electricians fibreglass poles to make a hole in it to run the antenna cable through. Once the top was off and the channel was made it was fairly straightforward to feed the cable through. Don't forget to leave enough cable out at the foot of the mast to allow the mast to rotate.
Pat S.
GladNick 26M
I can only comment on Mac 26X . I ran the cable down the backstay and drilled a suitable hole on the back of the boat. I mounted the radio just inside the hatch- so that it could be used both inside and outside the boat power was obtained from a 12 volt supply under the table and run invisibly between the skins via the bathroom. Hope this helps.bye th way i have a Mac 26 x for sale. Regards David Phillips.
I know this wasn't your question BUT, when you do get your mast cap off, you may find (like me) that the installer of the existing wiring has kindly left you his "fishtape" to use to pull through your co-ax.
If you do, don't forget to ensure there's enough tape/string available at the top in case your cable gets detached AND so you retain the use of the fishtape for future pull-throughs.
ps. You did say: "any advice" :)
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Thanks for all your tips.
im going to try some lubricant and maybe a bit more force.
ill let you know how it goes.
Regards
John
ASHANTI 2008M
I tackled my 26M mast by putting a sharp point on the end of my drain rods then quietly pushed and twisted this down through the sections of polystyrene to the foot of the mast. I then glued lengths of 20mm plastic conduit together and pushed this down the tight hole, tricky but it worked well. I drilled an acess hole at the mast light position. The light cabling and the aerial now pass down this pipe. I was then able to re seal the mast with expanding foam ensuring the original bouyancy and possibly improving it.
My birthdat present is a Nasa Marine Target 2 wind sensor which I should now be able to wire through the mast with ease.
Regards Jonathan
That’s a good plan Jonathan pity I fed the cable down with electricians grp Rods yesterday.
however I did find a quite straightforward route internally back to the switch board where the radio is.
from the panel above the mirrored bulkhead behind that bulkhead by loosening it slightly then poking the wire along the top and retighten. Down the starboard side and behind the lower part of the lining where there is s nice recess .
Then by the companion way I was able to thread it it through under the steps with the grp rods
i have to fix the through deck plug so will try to get some pictures
John
ASHANTI 2008M
I replaced my original 4 wire thru-deck with a 7 pin connector to carry my new NASA Clipper Tactical Wind wiring in addition to my regular mast electrics.
ps put the boat on the mooring yesterday, very excited!
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50