Wiring mast to boat

[alahol2]

Just stump up and get the Dri-plugs. They work exceedingly well. Had them at the mast for probably the last 20+ years on various boats, never failed. The one for my autopilot gets plugged/unplugged 2 or 3 times each weekend and is still fine after 10 years. A little bit of silicone grease on the O rings and pins occasionally and they just keep working. They even come with their own blanking caps for use when unplugged.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Just stump up and get the Dri-plugs. They work exceedingly well. Had them at the mast for probably the last 20+ years on various boats, never failed. The one for my autopilot gets plugged/unplugged 2 or 3 times each weekend and is still fine after 10 years. A little bit of silicone grease on the O rings and pins occasionally and they just keep working. They even come with their own blanking caps for use when unplugged.

And so reasonably priced:

http://www.seaware.co.uk/Products/DRI-PLUG-4-WAY-COMBI-CONNECTOR__71512.aspx

£90.52 for all your mast connection needs...

 

[Highndry]

That's brilliant John. I've just been and dug out the aerial assembly I was given with the boat (previous owner hadn't been using it) and there's an N fitting on the end of the co-ax! The previous, previous owner obviously ran the cable down the outside of the mast so I'll have to fit a new one to the coax running down the inside but that's one less hole I'll need to drill through the deck!!!
Just the nav light now.

 

[alahol2]

Nav Light

and if you need it...

VHF

If they last as well as mine have then they are cheap.

 

[john_morris_uk]

That's brilliant John. I've just been and dug out the aerial assembly I was given with the boat (previous owner hadn't been using it) and there's an N fitting on the end of the co-ax! The previous, previous owner obviously ran the cable down the outside of the mast so I'll have to fit a new one to the coax running down the inside but that's one less hole I'll need to drill through the deck!!!
Just the nav light now.

Just make sure that the cable is in really good condition. One of the most frequent causes of loss of signal or failure of VHF is the co-ax getting water into it and corroding. Assuming that its not a crimped on N plug, if you very carefully unscrew the thing then you can have a look inside to check that the wire is all shiny and new looking. Can you check the antenna end as well?

If in doubt, then the co-ax is relatively cheap to replace but make sure you get a really good quality one. Cheap co-ax is cheap because its got less copper; copper is expensive.

Good luck. John

 

[chewi]

Just stump up and get the Dri-plugs. They work exceedingly well. Had them at the mast for probably the last 20+ years on various boats, never failed. The one for my autopilot gets plugged/unplugged 2 or 3 times each weekend and is still fine after 10 years. A little bit of silicone grease on the O rings and pins occasionally and they just keep working. They even come with their own blanking caps for use when unplugged.

Do you drop the mast for the winter? I found that while there are caps to protect the Driplug sockets, the plugs are left exposed for the winter and it does them no good.

I have original bulgin buccaneer on Autohelm, but its too fine a thread for regular use, what it really needs is a miltary type bayonet or coarse threaded body.

 

[alahol2]

Do you drop the mast for the winter? I found that while there are caps to protect the Driplug sockets, the plugs are left exposed for the winter and it does them no good.

Yes, when I drop the mast I coat the inside of the plugs generously with silicone grease then tie wrap them inside a small plastic bag (cash bag from the bank). The VHF cable plug gets filled with silicon grease.

 

[maxi77]

Do you drop the mast for the winter? I found that while there are caps to protect the Driplug sockets, the plugs are left exposed for the winter and it does them no good.

I have original bulgin buccaneer on Autohelm, but its too fine a thread for regular use, what it really needs is a miltary type bayonet or coarse threaded body.

I must admit I have never had a problem with the Buccaneer thread, it's like everything else learn the technique and its easy, never had a crossed thread. Anyway especially for mast fittings it is not as if you are taking them apart every 5 minutes. They do however supply both male and female caps thus allowing both parts of the connection to be protected, and you can buy spares (for all the individual parts)