Mast wiring

I am changing my mast step on my 1986 IP27 to a hinged mast so I can drop the mast myself for trailering. I have decided to re-route the wiring from the compression post to come up through the deck next to the mast so I don't have to worry about pinching the wires while raising the mast. I'm trying to find a water tight deck fitting to run the wires through. Does anyone have a recommendation?

Charlie

Chas wrote: I am changing my mast step on my 1986 IP27 to a hinged mast so I can drop the mast myself for trailering. I have decided to re-route the wiring from the compression post to come up through the deck next to the mast so I don't have to worry about pinching the wires while raising the mast. I'm trying to find a water tight deck fitting to run the wires through. Does anyone have a recommendation?

Charlie

"Hella waterproof plugs.
These watertight, plastic plugs and sockets from Hella are designed for exterior or interior installation, and feature silver plated contacts. The socket also includes a plastic cap to cover it when not in use. The plug will fit cables up to 8mm in diameter.
Two, three and four pin plugs and sockets are made for flush mounting, call for screw terminal installation and have a maximum capacity of 16A at 12V. The seven pin plug and socket is designed for surface mount, uses solder terminal and operates at a maximum capcity of 10A at 12V. All models feature an impact resistant, black plastic housing".
I used them on my Oday26 with hinge plate when I rebuilt her. They work great.

I am looking at these type for connecting the wires. But what I need first is the deck fitting for the wires coming up through the deck. I believe Hella has one, Seadog has one, and there are others. Just wondering if one is better than another.

These are deck fittings Chas. the short piece is the through deck fitting, the long piece is from the mast, and, once your mast is seated, plugs into the short piece.

Chas wrote: I am looking at these type for connecting the wires. But what I need first is the deck fitting for the wires coming up through the deck. I believe Hella has one, Seadog has one, and there are others. Just wondering if one is better than another.

If you look closely you can see the flange on the through deck fitting,. See the two screw holes on either side. They low you to screw the fitting to the deck after selling with your favorite sealent, such s 3M 4200

Chas wrote: I am looking at these type for connecting the wires. But what I need first is the deck fitting for the wires coming up through the deck. I believe Hella has one, Seadog has one, and there are others. Just wondering if one is better than another.

Installation steps are basically as follows:
Number one. Drill a three quarter inch hole with a sharp spade bit through the deck at the appropriate spot near the hinged mast plate. Try to make your whole as vertical as possible. If it is too slanted then the fitting will not seat as well.
Number two. Run the boat cable, (wires,) thru the hole you have created and attach them to the thru deck, (short )fitting.
Number three. Attached the wires from the mast to the Plug and attach the plug (which makes a watertight ring seal when you screw it down) Be sure everything works and you did not accidentally crossed a wire.
Now when you are sure everything is working, prep your surfaces, apply your sealant and attach the fitting to the deck and two small screws that go through the small eyelets in the flange has shown in the picture.
You will, of course, have exposed boat wire on the ceiling in the cabin or forward birth. I chose to use conduit to make it look like a neat installation but one might want to use teak trim to hide the wires.
Easy breezy!