MacGregorSailors.com

It's time to wire for a mast head light, wind system, antenna. Anyone know what year MacGregor used the later style extrusion with the wire way for running wire to the top of the mast? I'm hoping mine has the way like the later model masts. Drilling with pvc doesn't sound like fun to me.
Thanks in advance for any comments.

Sorry I don't have an answer, but I am curious as to what you meant by "drilling with PVC..."

Have you removed the mast cap for a peek inside This may answer your question pronto.

Ray

my 2008 mast only has styrofoam blocks shoved in each end they were easy removed for installing wiring then just shoved them back in

J

Bad news for you. My 2006 mast has foam. I had to use PVC pipes. 2 years ago it broke in half and there was no channel for wires. The good news is that it was not that hard to drill with the PVC pipes as the foam is not continuously all the way through the mast.

Hi there,

As long as that is the original mast for 2006 it will have the spray in foam without a notched channel. Mid-way through 2007 is when they switched to the smaller profile and started doing the styrofoam chunks or shaped inserts.

Thanks to everyone for their input. I heading to Lowes to purchase pvc pipe to make the longest drill I have ever used.... At least once it is installed I will have a permanent wire way for the future.

I have the OEM 2006 mast with foam and no wire way.

I suggest to buy the grey ones for electrical work. They have an enlarged end that connected to another segment. I cut teethes on it like a circular saw. As it advances, I attached new segments. Once through, I used it to channel the electrical wire and a thin line (for future upgrades) before I pulled it out.

Do you recommend leaving the pvc pipe in the mast. I presume it would work much like conduit and would be very easy run wire with a fish tape. In order to preserve the flotation I'm thinking of stuffing the ends with a wad of paper towel or cloth for backing and then a layer of silicone approx 1/4-3/8" to provide a water and air seal. The seal would be easy to remove in the event I want to add additional wire.