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Internal mast conduit replacement?

C

cadiman49

Rick Noddin
Has anyone replaced the pvc conduit inside the mast? I have a few loose rivets in mine and am contemplating renewing the whole conduit, but need some advice. If the old rivets can be removed without enlarging the holes in the conduit, it might be possible to replace the bad rivets. I'm trying to avoid replacing the whole conduit, as I can't think of a good way to hold the conduit up against the inside wall of the mast for drilling and riveting. Ideas are welcome!
Thanks,
Rick Noddin, Xanadu
 
Holding the conduit againt the mast will be a real trick. Maybe a block of wood of the right shape held on both ends by halyards might work....
In any case, replacing just the bad rivets sounds like a better option,

Let us know of your progress
 
I INSTALLED a conduit in the mast of another boat years ago. as I recall, I drilled a few extra holes, into which I inserted a bent coat hanger or some such thing to hold the conduit against the mast as i riveted it. I have to admit I don't remember exactly how i did it--26 years ago, but there is a way to do it. might check the web to see if there are suggestions on other sites. It wasn't impossible, but it needed four hands I know.
 
here is what I found:
Not a difficult project at all. I used light PVC conduit, and a heavy bead of 5200. filled the conduit with several lengths of black iron pipe to give it some weight. Slide the whole arrangement inside, once you're confident of its placement, rotate the conduit 180 degrees so the bead of adhesive is against the mast wall, and let the 5200 cure, remove the heavy pipe with the messenger line... So far, so good, mine has presented no problems after 15 years...

I put PVC conduit in my 47' (keel-stepped) mast following Don Casey's system. I think I used Liquid Nails rather than 5200 as it's the same type of adhesive (polyurethane), it doesn't have to make a critical water seal and it's a lot cheaper. Once the glue set, I drilled for pop rivets every 4 feet or so, just for a little mechanical reinforcement. I think I used 1.5 inch PVC. I suggest using the biggest you can reasonably fit, as it can get pretty tough to run wire through it once it gets full. It's been about 4 years now and it's still in place.
 
Thanks mates! After cleaning out the mast and conduit, I decided that the old one is still usable as is. I like your ideas!
Rick Noddin, Xanadu
 
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