I have a 1988 Catalina 36 MK 1 - Hull # 828
My bow navigation light went out. I have worked my way through the diagnostic process and learned that there is a lot of capillary corrosion in the wire section from the bow navigation light to the connection in the anchor locker. The wire running from the anchor locker connection back to the electrical system is working fine (I put the meter on it).
I cut back the wire and found severe capillary corrosion. I cant cut it back any more without losing the tail to pull the wire with. I decided I should pull a new wire from the connection in the anchor locker up the conduit in the bow pulpit. I thought this would be relatively easy using the original wire to pull the new wire through. Turns out the wire running from the anchor locker up the bow pulpit stanchion to the bow navigation light is stuck in place - I pulled firmly on both ends.
1 - Did Catalina normally fix the wire inside the bow pulpit rail? Or should the wire be running relatively free inside the bow pulpit rail?
2 - Has anyone pulled a new wire from the anchor locker to the bow navigation light before? Any tips on how to do it? I would like to avoid removing the bow pulpit if possible.
3 - Is it normal for the wire to the bow navigation light to have a connection in the anchor locker? Or was this done after it left the factory?
Thanks!
I suspect the wire is held in place by the caulking at the deck inside the pulpit pipe. You may be able to get to that point from below the deck level and disludge the caulking using a metal coat hanger. If not, then you would have to lift the pulpit on the starboard side where the wires enter the deck.
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII, M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA
About Sail La Vie
One possible work around to consider: On our '85, the location of the bow light was such that it was very vulnerable to damage (our slip is head-in to a bulkhead, and inevitably every year or so the thing would get smashed). We eventually replaced with seperate port and starboard LED lights, mounted on the deck on raised wooden blocks, somewhat forward of the aft legs of the bow pulpit (see picture). Problem solved (and no need to thread wire through the pulpit tubes).
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY