[Public-List] Getting mast wires into the boat?

[gregr at nethere.com]

Hi Jeff,

I use the cable glands. My approach is a bit of a pain to change but I've
not had a drop in three years...
1. Run all the cable through a 3-4" long piece of heat shrink.
2. Figure out where the gland will grip the cable bundle.
3. Coat about 2" of the wires with silicon sealant where the gland will
grip. Use a little more than needed to file the gaps.
4. Slide the tubing over the silicon coated section and shrink it down.

You now have a cable bundle that shouldn't pass water internally and has a
uniform surface for the gland to grip and seal against.

Phase two is to prevent UV damage. You need to add a sacrificial cover.
Pretty much anything that blocks sunlight from getting to the wire and heat
shrink will do the trick. I'm currently using some split wire loom but am
looking for something that looks better. The cover extends into the mast to
protect the bundle from the edges of the hole in the mast.

Regards,

Greg

 1377816827.0