Through deck wiring

[raquet]

Having just fitted a new mast with new electrics (lights & VHF) I now have long coils of cable at the foot of the mast to connect appropriately. Do I:

1) Cut the wires above deck and fit deck sockets – this will probably mean renewing the wiring below decks as there is insufficient to run to meet the sockets.
2) Feed cables through waterproof deck glands then cut and join to existing wiring below deck.
3) Feed cables through waterproof deck glands and run same cable through to source.
The last option only makes sense for the VHF as it leaves no joins – however I’d need to cut it if (when) taking the mast down. The second option has no joins on deck but makes removing the mast slightly more difficult – depending on the type of below deck join used. The first seems to me to have most risk of ingress of water into the connection.

 

[savageseadog]

Go for the glands and a join under the coachroof. If you can renew the cables back to the switch panel all the better. For the join in the VHF lead use proper RF connectors. You could always do the various joints at a later time if you leave enough cable in a suitable place.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Yep, go for the glands and joins below coachroof....

Better for the wiring connections in the dry below decks, makes mast stepping easier and has the huge advantage of leaving open the possibility of wiring an emergency supply to the lights.....

 

[reeac]

A fourth option is to feed the cables through a "swan neck" [an inverted U shaped tube] which is fastened at one end to the deck over a hole which will acommodate all of the cables. This swan neck is usually made of stainless steel but I made one from a length of mountain bike inner tube which was jubilee-clipped onto a through-deck fitting. You then make your cables joins below deck - preferably with permanently attached plugs and sockets although frequently they're too big to thread through the swan neck+fitting system.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Below is what I will be using on my new yacht

A swan neck mounted on a stainless IP67 box above deck with the connections inside the box.

This will make steping the mast easer whan with the commections below deck but still protected from water ingress

 

[andf]

I'd like to cast a vote for plugs and sockets on deck. It you get the right ones (I've used Buccaneer) they are fine and so much easier when you want to drop the mast.

 

[LadyInBed]

plugs and sockets on deck are good if mounted in a box and not left open to the weather.
My preference is for swanneck and below deck connector, though the swanneck in the picture above is very elegant.

 

[raquet]

My thanks to all. I started with a prejudice – which was for a through deck gland with connections below deck. I nearly changed my mind to a swan neck – but where do you get such a beast? The one in the photo is, I suspect, worth more than my boat. I spent €50 on a through deck fancy neoprene and stainless thing and fitted it this afternoon. It looks good and, doubtless, I’ll find out in time as to its waterproof capabilities.

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
through deck fancy neoprene and stainless thing and fitted it this afternoon. It looks good and, doubtless, I’ll find out in time as to its waterproof capabilities.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what I've used to replace a few deck plugs and a couple of small glands.

No water ingress to date.

 

[bunyip]

Did you cover up the holes where your old plugs were? If so, how?
I am in the process of making old plugs redundant and joining the cables below deck - had thought of plastic or SS discs to cover holes but cannot find a source.

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
Did you cover up the holes where your old plugs were? If so, how?

[/ QUOTE ]

Used the same holes for the same wires, and the new glands fitted nicely over them.

I'm not always that lucky. What seems to be a simple job at the outset usually turns into days of PIA!