Richards 32 masthead light

[dsmylie]

I have a 1979 Richards ketch with the original wood mast. My problem is
that the mast head light wire going through the mast is no good and needs to be replaced. I tried to run new wire but the old is stuck, I'm thinking that it may have a screw through it. My question is, has anybody had this problem? What did you do? Does anybody know how large the space is with in the mast? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you'

David

[DanPlace]

David,
I have a 1978 Cheoy Lee 38 ketch with the wood masts and encountered the very same problem. From talking to other owners in the area I believe that Cheoy Lee installed wire routing blocks inside the masts when they were being constructed in Hong Kong, creating a problem for those of us trying to change out wiring, post-production. I, too, was unable to re-wire my mast with new wires, including the installation of radar cable. So, I did the next best thing, which was to install 3/4 inch PVC tubing along the rear quadrant of the main mast and run my wires into the cabin to that way. Suprisingly, the tubes are almost invisible to the casual eye and do not interfere with sail or halyard function. The only other alternative would be to dry dock the boat, unstep the mast and hollow out the wiring cavity (top and bottom). Perhaps next year, but at the moment the PVC is doing the job.
Dan Place
S/V Patty Marie
Ventura Harbor, Ventura, CA