What are the secrets to running new wire on a 26x

[Demos]

I've acquired a 1996 26x and looking to run new electrical wire as the existing DC 12v wiring is a mess. I'm new to MacGregor's so what are the tricks to run wire behind the shell ? I can see where they tuck it under the lip on the sides, but how do you run new wire up the mast area or other areas ? Do you take off the little round covers and use a wire snake or is there some other trick to pulling wire to the various parts of the boat ?

Thanks
-Dennis

[Starscream]

Running wire is a nightmare of fiberglass splinters, cursing, and stuck wires. There's no easy way to replace original wiring.

If I had to do it over again, I would add a second electrical panel on rear of the aft dinette seat and feed it with ONE pair of 10 gauge wires from my batteries under the small port-side seat aft of the galley. It's MUCH easier to run new wires from there than to try to run it from where the original panel was up high on the inside port companionway wall. When I originally ran the wires to the toilet I took them off that original panel, and it was just a nightmare to get them from the panel down into the bilge.

I want to add a masthead light but I really don't want to have to try to snake a new wire up and out. If you get that done, I'd be very interested in hearing how and where it went.

[Tomfoolery]

I want to add a masthead light but I really don't want to have to try to snake a new wire up and out. If you get that done, I'd be very interested in hearing how and where it went.

Assuming you mean anchor light, consider adding diodes and a DPDT toggle switch to reverse polarity, then extend the existing two wires in the mast, where they attach to the masthead (steaming) light up to the top of the mast for the anchor light. Lotta folks have done it that way to save on adding another circuit, and the hassle of running new or additional wiring to the mast.

[Stevenhigbee]

Attach a string to the end of the old wire before you pull it out, then use the string to pull the new wire through.

[darrenj]

I tied a washer to a string and used a strong magnet to pull the washer along the inside of the liner with the magnet on the outside of the liner.
Then tied the string to the wire and pulled the wire through.

It was pretty finicky as the washer would often get caught up on stuff but I managed to get it through.

[simplesailer]

I just ran brand new wire Anchor Marine wire on my 1995 X today. I just used electrical tape to cinch onto the original (lamp wire) and pulled it through. Trick is not to go to fast or pull to hard, and sometime you have to get jiggy with it in tight spots. Other trick is a coat hanger in tougher/ tighter areas. It is a time consuming job and can be a bit frustrating but it took me about 4-5hrs to run all new wire for everything on my boat. When you are doing it try to think about this will be the only time you will have to ever do it again. Hope it helps!!

SS

[tlgibson97]

I had to pull some of the sealant that is between the liner segments above the v-berth to be able to run wires. The sealant is injected after the wires are run and my existing wires were basically glued in place.

I use about a 4 foot section of solid copper wire pulled of of some household wire. It is semi-rigid and has a coating that allows it to pull through somewhat easy. My liner is tight just aft of the chainplates where I assume there is some structure there. It just takes patience. My problem now is I have so much wire running down that side of the liner that it won't all stay up there. Nav lights, mast light, anchor light, two speaker wires, and vhf all run through there.

I haven't taken out the lamp cord. It's 20 years old and still works. If it breaks down somehow then I'll replace it.

[grady]

Attach a string to the end of the old wire before you pull it out, then use the string to pull the new wire through.

Exactly! And when you pull the new wire in you pull another string in with it. Then leave it so next time you need to add a wire it is there.

[Interim]

Do Xs have a different mast than the S? I just pulled the cap off when the mast was lowered, and ran fishtape down it.

My problem is running wires from the compartment above the galley (switch panel) to the compartment below the galley (batteries, and leads running to nav lights fore and aft). Previous owner seems to have 4 runs through there, so it is pretty full. And of course they are wedged in somewhere so they won't pull out.

--john

[grady]

Do Xs have a different mast than the S? I just pulled the cap off when the mast was lowered, and ran fishtape down it.

My problem is running wires from the compartment above the galley (switch panel) to the compartment below the galley (batteries, and leads running to nav lights fore and aft). Previous owner seems to have 4 runs through there, so it is pretty full. And of course they are wedged in somewhere so they won't pull out.

--john

Mine run down the fwd side. The bottom liner may need to be pulled out a little to free up the wires. I have a good size wire bundle running down that side. Probably around 25 18 to 24 ga wires, 4 sets of speaker wires, 8ga power and ground, NMEA2000 cable. Most of the wires were pulled from the bottom up that way it is less likely to hang on the bottom liner. I have some string there that I tie in a loop so when I pull new wires. That way with the new wires the string stays run.