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

Mike Lehman mlehman at gmail.com
Thu Jun 23 09:35:31 PDT 2022


Potato cannon

On Thu, Jun 23, 2022, 11:21 AM Michael Connolly via Public-List <
public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> OK Gord,
> So you got the charge figured out. Now what to use for the projectile?
> Michael
>
> >     On 06/23/2022 11:10 AM Gordon Laco <mainstay at csolve.net> wrote:
> >
> >
> >     If I were feeling comedic…
> >
> >     I might suggest a removal procedure incorporating a solvent as
> described, and an igniter.   Imagine the efficacy of laying the mast on saw
> horses, arranged so the heel of the mast is somewhat higher than the head,
> and its axis of aim somewhat toward something which might be safe… or
> perhaps fun.  One might pour in the solvent, wait for the chemistry to take
> effect, then introduce a barbecue lighter through a hole in the mast up
> near the masthead.   The result might well completely clear out the foam
> and foam residue from the mast… and even project it all a considerable
> distance which might eliminate the need to clean up your immediate ground
> area in the boat yard.
> >
> >     Hmmm….
> >
> >     Gordon Laco
> >     426 Surprise
> >
> >
> >
> >         > >         On Jun 23, 2022, at 11:02 AM, Michael Connolly via
> Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org mailto:
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org > wrote:
> > >         I thought of a solvent or heat to reduce the bulk of the foam,
> but then rejected that idea because of the mess it would make and the
> increased difficulty in getting the ooze out of the mast.  I believe
> mechanical removal while dry is the best method.
> > >         Michael
> > >
> > >             > > > On 06/22/2022 5:20 PM Mike Lehman via Public-List <
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org mailto:public-list at lists.alberg30.org >
> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >             Maybe...acetone would disolve the foam...it would make a
> big mess, but easy
> > > >             to clean up. Better than trying to stuff conduit through
> foam
> > > >
> > > >             On Wed, Jun 22, 2022, 3:59 PM George Dinwiddie via
> Public-List <
> > > >             public-list at lists.alberg30.org mailto:
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org > wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >                 > > > > Bill,
> > > > >
> > > > >                 Ugh! Foam in the mast--how awful!
> > > > >
> > > > >                 I can't imagine anything in the mast that you're
> likely to damage other
> > > > >                 than the existing wires. The mounting bolts for
> the winches and
> > > > >                 spreaders should be rugged enough.
> > > > >
> > > > >                 I think as you try to punch through the foam,
> you're probably getting
> > > > >                 more and more resistance. I wonder if you could
> fasten a garden auger
> > > > >                 bit onto the end of your length of conduit, and
> using that to drill into
> > > > >                 foam blockages and then pull out bits, a little at
> a time. Just a
> > > > >                 thought, and not something I've done.
> > > > >
> > > > >                 BTW, an easier way to keep the wires from slapping
> inside the mast is to
> > > > >                 put a trio of plastic wire ties around the wiring
> bundle at intervals.
> > > > >                 Put the tail of one wire tie into the hole of the
> next, and leave the
> > > > >                 tails long. They'll push against the mast and hold
> the wires relatively
> > > > >                 still against the side.
> > > > >
> > > > >                  - George
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >                 On 6/22/22 12:31 PM, vinegar joe via Public-List
> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > >                     > > > > > 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
> > > > >                 li
> > > > >
> > > > >                     > > > > > ght 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
> > > > > >
> > > > > >                     'The universe is a big place, perhaps the
> biggest.' - Kilgore Trout
> > > > > >
> > > > > >                 > > > > --
> > > > >
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > > >                   When I remember bygone days
>    George Dinwiddie
> > > > >                   I think how evening follows morn;
> gdinwiddie at alberg30.org mailto:gdinwiddie at alberg30.org
> > > > >                   So many I loved were not yet dead,
> http://www.Alberg30.org
> > > > >                   So many I love were not yet born.
>           also see:
> > > > >                                'The Middle' by Ogden Nash
> http://idiacomputing.com
> > > > >
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >                 _______________________________________________
> > > > >                 These businesses support your Association:
> > > > >                 http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> > > > >                 Please support them.
> > > > >                 _______________________________________________
> > > > >                 Public-List mailing list
> > > > >                 Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
> > > > >
> http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >             > > > _______________________________________________
> > > >             These businesses support your Association:
> > > >             http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> > > >             Please support them.
> > > >             _______________________________________________
> > > >             Public-List mailing list
> > > >             Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
> > > >
> http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org
> > > >
> > > >         > > _______________________________________________
> > >         These businesses support your Association:
> > >         http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> > >         Please support them.
> > >         _______________________________________________
> > >         Public-List mailing list
> > >         Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
> > >
> http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org
> > >
> > >     >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> These businesses support your Association:
> http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> Please support them.
> _______________________________________________
> Public-List mailing list
> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
> http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org
>



More information about the Public-List mailing list