[Public-List] Frustrating Mast Wiring Issue on Alberg 29

[vinegar joe]

Sorry to bother the Alberg 30 folks, but I'm hoping someone here will have some insight into this aggravating problem.
I've got a 1985 Alberg 29, keel stepped mast with a tricolor light at the top of the mast and a combo deck light - mast head light just above the spreaders.  The combo light had been dead for a couple of years and when I removed it I discovered that the wires were completely shot - it appeared that a glorified extension cord had been used and the end of the wires just barely exited the one inch hole in the mast behind the light - when the brittle wires were trimmed, they now were just inside the hole.  A gentle tug on the ground wire broke it and it is no longer visible.  But it gets the worse - the prior owner (I hope not the builder) inserted expanding foam a various spots along the mast (wherever access allowed) and so there's no budging of the wires even if you wished.  Additionally, the wires have been snaked up the aft side of the mast behind conduit that encloses four halyards so any attempt at fishing some of the wire out has to take place on the opposite side of where the light is mounted.

I decided I would try to drive a run of metal conduit inside the mast and through the various layers of expandable foam with hopes of perhaps snagging it up by the light to run a snake line back down to the base of the mast.  The conduit was driven through the first layer of foam (at about 4 feet - no idea how it was delivered at this level) without too much problem, but at about 6 and 1/2 feet I encountered what I sense is a metal plate that seems to completely close further progress.  However, I cannot see what I'm hitting.

Are further efforts to reach the level of the light by conduit a waste of time? Does anyone know what I'm hitting?  I fear I may damage the mast or other wiring with further efforts.  If so, what is the most tasteful and solid way to run wires on the outside of the mast?

Thanks for any help/ideas/suggestions.  I want to go sailing!!!!

Bill Zellman 
s/v Vinegar Joe 
Milwaukee

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