re-wiring mast

[roam]

has anyone any advice on re-wiring a mast?
the mast is currently un-stepped, but has a securely attached boot and head making it impossible to see the inside clearly. we can tell that it is foam filled at least some of the length.
the wires currently enter and exit through individual holes in the side of the mast.
we have tried tentatively to pull through a wire with a strong messenger attached in the hope that once the messenger was through we could then pull through the new wire. there was a lot of friction and resitance when we tried this and we were reluctant to try again. should we just tug harder?
if a mast rigger were to do it, how would they get the wires through? do they have special tools? is it an expensive job to get done professionally?

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[Martin_e]

Normaly the wires will be or should be in a plastic conduate or a section in the mast dedicated to wiring. When I did my mast I pulled all the wires out and did not use a messenger. To rewire I used a solid but flexible nylon wire, the type electritions use for pulling cables. Poked that through first then pulled all the wires through in one go but used a good load of silicon lubricant. The foam you are talking about is probably to stop water running down the inside of the mast and into the bilge. There should be two holes in the mast just over deck level to let the water run out. Oh that is if your mast is keel steped.
The answer to your last question is 9 times out of 10 yes, cos we are all stinking rich and have so much money that we do not know what to do with so we buy a boat and support the people that do not have money and live off us.

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[Avocet]

Try to look along the length of the mast and see of you can spot any small holes that might have been drilled to allow foam to be injected in. This might give you some idea of the size of the blockage. I did this on my mast once to stop the wires slapping against the inside of the mast - BIG MISTAKE! The wires were impossible to pull out - they just snapped. I had to take the heel fitting off and bash a piece of 1" tube up through the foam and smash it out inch by inch. It took me about 3 days!

Once you've done that, put them in a separate conduit or pad them with foam or cable ties.

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