Help - pulling mast (wires)

8 posts / 0 new
Last post
jblyth
Offline
Joined: 5/9/17
Posts: 12
Help - pulling mast (wires)

I have a 1998 C36 mk II and need to have the mast pulled to replace the sheaves.

Question for anyone that's done it: where/how do I disconnect the electrical connections for the anchor light, deck light etc?

 I found a set of R/B wires and a large cable accessible in a corrugated cable cover above the bilge pump, but there's no obvious way to disconnect other than cutting. They run through a conduit aft so can't quite tell what they are for. 

any clues on where or how to access the power cables for the lights up top?

bad picture attached. 
 

 

1998 Catalina 36 Mk II
S/V Mata Hari
​Seattle, WA

John Hodgson
Offline
Joined: 9/15/16
Posts: 7

My 2003 has the wires coming out of hole near the bottom of the mast at forward facing side.  The wires run down a hole beside the mast step into an area of the bilge. That area is accessible from the storage area of the bench on the forward side of our U shaped seating.

We have a junction box for the mast head instrument wiring and a 4 plug connector for the deck light/steaming light/anchor light.

I have attached a picture which kind of shows the light connector.  Block of three sockets/1 pin for the 4 connections.  The mirror image of the block comes from the mast.  

Hope this helps.
John

S/V SUNDOG
Homeport: ​Kingston, ON
2003 Catalina 36 MKII #2134
Wing Keel

Attachments
jblyth
Offline
Joined: 5/9/17
Posts: 12

Thank you! 

I'll look for a similar plug in my Catalina but as of yet I've not located it. There are some wires coming into the U-shaped seating area as you described, but those are identifiable (VHF, NMEA2K, Radar) but still haven't located the deck light, anchor and steaming wires. I would hope there is some sort of plug as you showed. 

1998 Catalina 36 Mk II
S/V Mata Hari
​Seattle, WA

Haro's picture
Haro
Offline
Joined: 11/7/14
Posts: 435

Why not replace the sheaves without removing the mast. Someone can climb the mast and replace it. 

jblyth
Offline
Joined: 5/9/17
Posts: 12

Easier said than done. Our mast is supported by front/back stays that are attached to a cap atop the mast. You cannot climb the mast and replace the sheaves without removing the cap (and stays). Once the stays are removed, the mast is unsupported fore/aft and oh by the way, the sheaves are holding the only method of climbing the mast (halyards). 

1998 Catalina 36 Mk II
S/V Mata Hari
​Seattle, WA

KevinLenard's picture
KevinLenard
Offline
Joined: 1/28/15
Posts: 222

We have a 1991 mark 1.5, but when we first pulled the mast the connector for those wires was tucked up in the base of the mast.

Kevin Lenard
"Firefly"
'91 C-36 Mk. "1.5" Tall Rig, Fin Keel, Hull #1120, Universal M-35 original (not "A" or "B")
CBYC, Scarborough, Lake Ontario, Canada

Haro's picture
Haro
Offline
Joined: 11/7/14
Posts: 435

Jeff, You are right in having no choice but to remove the mast.
Here are the images of my mast top.
It appears that it is not possible to get to the pins either to replace the sheaves without removing the mast top.
Post some images of your replacement so we can see what it looks like inside and part numbers of the sheaves you replaced them with.

Thanks.

 

Attachments
Brazen
Offline
Joined: 4/6/23
Posts: 41

I recently replaced the rigging on my 2001 MKII with in mast furling. The masthead is an Isomat/Sparcraft/Charleston Spars NG2 casting. There is a cap on the top of the mast that can be removed. Since the anchor light and wind instrument are attached I decided to wait on replacing the sheaves until next season.
It looks like the sheaves can be replaced from the top once the cap is removed. Apparently the axle  drops into the slots fore and aft. If you have this mast and cap it might be worth checking with Rig Rite before pulling the mast.
The fore and aft stays are attached to the masthead casting below the cap, the upper shrouds are inserted into coquille fittings in the mast to port and starboard. There are recesses in the masthead casting for stem ball fittings but they are not used on the Catalina 36 MKII. The rigging can stay in place while the cover is removed revealing the sheaves, but again I suggest checking with Rig Rite.
The previous owner patched the recesses with putty and aluminum tape, I left in it place for the time being

Denis
Brazen Article #1925
2001 Catalina 36 MKII

Attachments
Log in or register to post comments