cherry picker and fitting a new masthead/anchor light aqua signal

[Rhylsailer99]

When i get lifted out one job i need to do is to fit a new masthead light. Any ideas as i have never seen the top of the mast so unsure how it will fix to the top. I will replace the old wire which seems simple enough to just pull the new one through with the old one attached.

 

[Malish]

If it is a relatively recent one at the top of the mast then the bulbs and lenses are in a removable unit that twists and locks onto the base which in turn is secured to the mast. Replacing the cable running down the inside of the mast may be 'simple' but don't bet on it...
there are details here: Products - Glamox Recreational

 

[vyv_cox]

I have done similar, fitted a Lopolight. I drilled and tapped the top fitting, Kemp mast. I used the original wire, which was ok. Cherry picker needed for one hour.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

My yard charges £80 for cherry picker work and wont let me in the thing. I have bought a slide guided mast climbing ladder for £140 but it is no fun trying to do much drilling from a ladder.

Peplacing cables OK if they run freely as one just solders ends together very firmly, but horrible with mast up if wire comes out of actual bottom of mast.

 

[jneale]

In the past, (40 years ago)- I have worked the top of the mast of my 26' trimaran from the Hayling Island bridge and from the bows of HMS Brittania on whale island ?

 

[oldmanofthehills]

In the past, (40 years ago)- I have worked the top of the mast of my 26' trimaran from the Hayling Island bridge and from the bows of HMS Brittania on whale island ?

Indeed, the derelict quayside lighting columns at Wivenhoe proved useful in my east coast days. Sadly Devonport is MOD and they keep us yachties away from all such structures.

 

[Laysula]

I believe that you have a Cobra 850. I had one some years ago and went up the mast several times whilst she was in the water. Winched up in a bosuns chair by a willing accomplice. I fitted a new furling system and also a wind trasnsducer. As far as I remember I had to drill and tap the top plate to situate the transducer and feed the cable down the inside of the mast. All straightforward to do without any snags.

 

[dunedin]

If you have a drone, or a friend with a drone, get them to take a few photos of the masthead to plan the project before you head up there.

I fitted a tricolour / anchor light on top of our mast via a crane basket, but took a lot of planning to ensure I had ALL the tools and components needed before going up - and everything tied on to avoid dropping anything.
Drilling and tapping holes sounds easy, but less so if boat moving even slightly.

 

[Rhylsailer99]

If you have a drone, or a friend with a drone, get them to take a few photos of the masthead to plan the project before you head up there.

I fitted a tricolour / anchor light on top of our mast via a crane basket, but took a lot of planning to ensure I had ALL the tools and components needed before going up - and everything tied on to avoid dropping anything.
Drilling and tapping holes sounds easy, but less so if boat moving even slightly.

yes thats exactly what i am thinking . If i hire a cherry picker for a couple of hours im worried i might not have everything ready that i need.

 

[andsarkit]

My yard charges £80 for cherry picker work and wont let me in the thing. I have bought a slide guided mast climbing ladder for £140 but it is no fun trying to do much drilling from a ladder.

I used a ladder that slid up the mast track. It has solid aluminium treads and enables you to stand with your chest level with the top of the mast. Strap on to the mast with a harness and you have both hands free to work.
Almost certainly you will need to drill and tap new holes to suit the new light. It took me about an hour to replace and wire up the new LED masthead light but then I'm a bit slow in my old age.
The biggest problem was getting out the old screws. 20 years of corrosion of stainless in aluminium required a lot of brute force and shearing off one of the screws.
If the old light is scrap it might be easier to smash it off and use Mole grips on the screws unless they come out easily.

 

[garymalmgren]

When i get lifted out one job i need to do is to fit a new masthead light. Any ideas as i have never seen the top of the mast so unsure how it will fix to the top.

Is there any reason to wait to be lifted out?
If you can find an accessible dockside spot you could tie up and use the cherry picker there.
gary

 

[roaringgirl]

Is the boat too small to go aloft while she's in the water?

 

[ctva]

Is the boat too small to go aloft while she's in the water?

That's what small children are for.

 

[ithet]

My yard do not allow owners to work aloft while ashore. They do not have a cherry picker either. I am thinking of having the mast taken down for a few weeks, then I can do a number of jobs on it at my leasure.