Whatchamacallit?

[jkimberly]

I've been looking for something " off the shelf" that I can install just in front of the mast to protect the mast light/vhf connections from catching the genoa sheets during a tack. Not having very much luck . . . . Presumably then this guard is custom for most ( every) installation?

Does anyone else have this type of problem? Once I've made the first tack, I usually don't have the problem anymore as I tend to control the genoa sheets to keep them from catching on the wires. I presume I can create something out of small OD stainless but I'm wondering what others have done/do.

The boat is a 1984 seafarer, 26 foot.

Jk

[Tempest]

Something like this?


Mast Light Guard

[jkimberly]

Not really, that would be for the mast light midway up the mast . . I'm looking for something at the base of the mast (it's a deck stepped mast) where the electrical and VHF connections are located.

Thanks though . .



jk

[JordanH]

I have seen the same idea used at the base of the mast. At a minimum, you can put an angled brace between the mast and the deck, making the hypotenuse of a triangle on the centre line of your vessel, over top of the connections. I have a picture of this in a book I was reading but will have to search for one online...

They often put protectors around vents, again, same idea as above. If those vent protectors don't work for you, then try the angled brace as I mentioned.

[jkimberly]

Thanks Jordan,

I'm not short of ideas as to how to fabricate something to shield the cables from the lines as they cross over but rather am looking for something "off the shelf" to do the job. It's unclear to me what this device would be called; I've searched on 'mast base guard', 'hand-hold', and many other permutations of these but haven't found anything likely. This is why I asked for opinions as to what it is called; hopefully I'm just not using the correct search criteria.

I've seen these guards as well as wind scoop guards on many other boats and it would seem to me that I should be able to find something pre-made that will either work out of the box or with minor adjustments. That would save a considerable amount of effort that can be better spent on either other projects or sailing .

jk

[JordanH]

If the connectors are not in line with the mast, then you could make/buy something similar to this dorade/vent protector: http://bristol29.com/Projects/Deck%2...s/dorade20.jpg

[JordanH]

Originally Posted by jkimberly

It's unclear to me what this device would be called;

Try googling "Dorade protector" or "Dorade guard", that should do the trick.

I wouldn't rule out fabricating a small stainless tube with a screw hole in each of the flattened, angled ends... that may be simpler and as inexpensive as trying to find a pre-fabricated dorade protector in the size you want.

[Tempest]

JKimberly.

With regards to what others have done.

As I recall, I used to take some mast boot tape, lay those connections against the mast and wrap them to the base of the mast..on my Catalina 22.

Mast Boot Tape

[jkimberly]

Thanks for the help guys, searching on "dorade guard" offered a site that shows several different types of guards that can be modified to fit my situation. Although at the cost of these guards (upwards of $150 USD) I think I'll resort to fabricating something from bent stainless tubing as JordanH suggests.

Past years I've taped these wires into a bundle that, although they ARE protected, is just not very nice to look at. I've a mast plate that is used to secure various blocks for line controls which is somewhat in the way of taping.

Thanks again for the help, this is what Sailnet is all about

Cheers!

jk