Antenna Cables through Deck/cockpit

H

Harry Brown

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I would like to start adding some electronics. These are going to require antennas.

HF
AIS
WiFi
4G/LTE (might be combined with WiFi)
Navtex
maybe some others but not sure for now.

Obviously this is going to involve drilling a lot of holes creating possible future leak paths.
What are my options for passing the cables through the deck/cockpit etc.
Am I going to have to provide cable glands for each device or is there an option that I can put a few cables into one? Seems crazy to be drilling so many holes!

Thanks
 
What length of boat (I ask that in case you don't want to say the actual type of boat - some people are sensitive about such things even if I am not).

But if you are having Navtex and HF I am guessing it is over 22 footer and you are going places in a nice boat.

You see I just installed an aerial on a 22 footer for a mate and simply drilled a hole aft of tabernacle (but not through the reinforced part of deck), fitted cable through and filled hole with PU40. A conical cone could then be placed over it if required, but the goo settled into a nice little puddle that could be trimmed flush. The cable run on deck was short and glued down too.

Will never leak and no connection or cuts in co-ax.

Many people would call this a bodge. I call it a job designed to meet the need within specific boundaries (he wanted free, didn't want fancy looking chrome donuts on deck etc)

NOW: Thinking outside of the box, but going for a proper luxurious job, yet with minimal holes and no leaks:

Vents, such as dorado down to mushroom and solar vents...

Could you knock up or have made a tiny dorado vent (and box) (2 inches high in a nice metal - or 3-D print) (or something like chain hawser thingy) facing aft.

Hole in deck only needs to be 20mm-ish then (if all cables shielded regarding interferance) AND you have a new vent (air flow is always good), cables could all be tidied on deck in special conduit (even teak). Metal mesh on inside of deck to stop mice (they can squeeze through any hole that a bic pen can go through by manipulating their skull bones).

Just a lot of ideas to kick around or make fun of...
 
The Cableport is one solution for feeding a number of wires through - http://www.saltyjohn.co.uk/cableport_boat_product.htm

Cableport1.jpg
 
Sailingsaves said:
PERFECT !

Looks a great bit of kit; much better than thouse donut /doughnut gland whatsits.
Click to expand...

Yep, it's what I have. Although, for the record, you can also get glands with a large rubber disk instead of a ring, and you drill several holes to match the cables you want to pass through.

Pete
 
Gladys said:
Swan neck is the way to go... all the joints finish up below in the dry
Click to expand...

This applies to the Cableport also and it won't catch lines/sails the way a swan neck might. Very simple solution to multiple cables, using only a single hole in the deck. It will also allow you to feed most "normal" size connectors through (PL259s, etc.). The only possible downside is really the area of flat deck you require to mount it on.
 
Look at Indexmarine.co.uk DR1 range, a rectangular gland for several cables. I've not used this one but have used their round ones which are excellent for single cables, and large enough hole to get a connector through and then connect cables below deck in the dry. They now haves ones to include the connector, look on their website. Good products.
 
Sailingsaves said:
You see I just installed an aerial on a 22 footer for a mate and simply drilled a hole aft of tabernacle (but not through the reinforced part of deck), fitted cable through and filled hole with PU40. A conical cone could then be placed over it if required, but the goo settled into a nice little puddle that could be trimmed flush. The cable run on deck was short and glued down too.
Click to expand...

Hope it wasn't a cored deck you did that to!:eek:
 
HF If you mean just a receiver open a hatch slightly and run a 32 foot length of wire up the mast tied to a halyard.

AIS never saw the need for it, mark one eyeball works.

WiFi Buy a high gain antenna 12dB plus and a USB extension lead I then tied it to the boom through a hatch, if was due to rain I put it in a plastic bag.

4G/LTE (might be combined with WiFi) No idea.

> Navtex I didn't use that I had Inmarsat C.
 
pvb said:
The Cableport is one solution .....

Cableport1.jpg
Click to expand...

Sailingsaves said:
PERFECT !

Looks a great bit of kit .....
Click to expand...

prv said:
Yep, it's what I have. ....
Click to expand...

Just fitted one based on this forums recommendations. I have VHF (10 mm), tri colour, anchor, spreader lights, steaming light cables, all quite chunky. Two rectangular cable transits have been removed and replaced with this one neat unit, one hole, all cables pass through, no more sealing packing glands or replacing gland materials. A very easy installation.
 
lw395 said:
Those loops of cable look very vulnerable to a crew's feet when working at the mast in weather.
Why don't yacht designers design something from the start?
Click to expand...

No worse than with standard glands - better in fact because the cables emerge flat against the deck and can be led more carefully than in that picture, to minimise snagging potential.

I believe some boats with keel-stepped masts lead the wires out below decks, but then you need a watertight seal around the cables inside the mast (or accept rainwater running into the bilge).

I've heard of mast steps (for deck-stepped masts) with a hole in the middle, but only in the context of riggers saying "don't bother, it's far too fiddly getting the cables in when stepping the mast".

I'm happy enough with my Cableport on a specially built-up GRP plinth just ahead of the mast, with the cables carefully bundled and secured with no flying loops.

Pete
 
Gladys said:
Swan neck is the way to go... all the joints finish up below in the dry
Click to expand...



That would be my pick as well:

http://www.piplers.co.uk/piplers-swan-neck-cable-gland-polished-stainless-steel

Above an aft locker I use two of these, one each side:

http://www.sheridanmarine.com/product/heavy-duty-chrome-cable-glands

It deals with AIS aerials, lighting cables and the like; the larger sizes can pass a fair sized plug. A bit of broom handle jammed in it, with appropriate grooves, will accommodate various sized cables and remain waterproof with a blob of sealant. Cheap and very easy to change for new kit and cables.
 
Swan neck is nice and simple.
But needs sealant to stop green water.
A keel stepped mast is a lot easier for the cables, but some water normally gets down the inside.....
 
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