Bracing several cables through a narrow and occasionally moving tunnel

[superheat6k]

Now I am having to lower and raise my mast for each passage under Bursledon A27 bridge I need a more reliable method of grouping together several cables so they can pass smoothly out and then back in to the narrow tube tunnel at the base of the mast and without kinking, which leads to the smaller cables fouling the closing of the mast mount gap.

I have removed three redundant cables, but will need to accommodate the following

Radome 13mm; Nav light & instruments 6mm x 4

The mast base is an oblong plate ~100 x 250 hinged along the narrow end. The cable entry hole has a small spigot which enters the deck plate, with the ID ~40mm. When the mast is down the gap pulls the cables from the tube above and entry port below ~ 125mm.

I've tried cable ties but they didn't provide adequate stiffness to prevent the smaller cables kinking into the closing gap, where the spigot entering the port below forms a very effective guilotine. I'm considering spiral wrap but that will add to the overall diameter and itself may not be stiff enough.

Note when raising the mast focus is on the operation itself and it is not safe to have fingers anywhere near the closing gap trying to guide the cables.

Is there another covering I could consider?

I'm trying to avoid cutting the Radome cable, but a length of shrink wrap might be the best solution.

 

[iamtjc]

My experience with spiral wrap is that it dramatically stiffens the whole assembly. Can't help with the diameter issue, but it is a simple thing to try that you can remove in a moment if it doesn't suit.

 

[andsarkit]

Nylon/polyester expanding braid will retain some flexibility and when you shorten it the diameter increases to go over any plugs and then as you pull it out it contracts onto the cables. I didn't explain that well but this is the stuff:



Alternatively there is a split version that uses velco to close it.
velcro braid

 

[Yngmar]

Flexible conduit, UV stabilized exterior grade. Something like this: Nylon Pa6 & H Series Nylon Polyamide Flexible Conduits – Flex-It

We've got a grey one on the stern arch since, uhm, 2016 and that's with mostly Mediterranean UV stress testing it

 

[penberth3]

I can't picture exactly what you need, but would one-dimensional cable guide be any good?

 

[LiftyK]

A really inexpensive solution would be to spiral wrap your cables with vet tape. It will remain in place and flexible yet you can easily remove and reuse it at any time. I learned about in a past forum post and bought several reels online. It’s great stuff, originally designed to hold animal limbs or dressings in place. Think of it as a lightweight Velcro bandage.

 

[superheat6k]

A really inexpensive solution would be to spiral wrap your cables with vet tape. It will remain in place and flexible yet you can easily remove and reuse it at any time. I learned about in a past forum post and bought several reels online. It’s great stuff, originally designed to hold animal limbs or dressings in place. Think of it as a lightweight Velcro bandage.

This is the sort of ingenious solution I need, and yes I am familiar with the product.

I am also looking any the velcro closed nylon mesh.

Thanks.