Removing Radome From Mast

[montenido]

Hi all. I have a 24" radome on my mast that is not attached to a radar head unit. That is the way the boat came when I bought it, so I'm not sure if the dome works or not. The thing is, my genoa almost always catches on the dome, especially in light wind. I don't have any immediate plans to install radar so I thought I would remove the dome and the SS mount. I was thinking that I would leave any wiring in place, if only to use as a fish for new wiring someday. I thought that I would just secure the wiring to the mast, out of the way. I was thinking about using large pop-rivets or aluminum machine screws to plug the holes left by the mount. Any reason not to do this? Another way to go would be to leave the mount, which would present much less of an obstacle for the sail. It might make a very attractive perch for some gulls though...

I am all ears for your ideas and input. Thanks in advance.

Bill

[billyruffn]

I would think that the frame's screw holes could be filled with an epoxy and sanded smooth. The larger hole in the mast for the radar signal cable may require a "patch" that can be riveted in place. I have a patch / cover over an access port in my mast -- it's an AL plate shaped to the contours of the mast and secured with rivets and sealed with a bedding compound.

Leaving the radar signal cable hanging out of the mast probably won't do any harm, but it won't look that great. You could pull out the radar cable and replace it with a light messenger line which you can secure inside the mast at the cable hole. Tie a few knots in the end of the messenger and secure it in place with a big blob of silicone or epoxy.