Removing mast from 2009 R21-EC?

[jkurlanski]

Hello all,
I'm the proud owner of a new to me 2009 R21-EC. Since July I've been learning as much as I can from these forums, really enjoying the Ranger Tug (ok, and the attention it brings!), and I have even added the extremely necessary aft table positioned over the bilge pump cover. (pictures soon!) But I have something I can't quite figure out:

For the upcoming winter months I've been working with Fisher Canvas in NJ to get a re-usable winter cover. They pointed out that while the mast of the R21-EC folds forward easy enough, the flag stantion sticks up. This can't be removed as its welded to the pole. They can work around it, but its clearly not the best plan.

The best plan would be to remove the entire mast itself, which SEEMS like it should be removable, but I'm not sure that's a good idea. The cabling for the radar dome, the anchor light, and the search light go from the mast through the faux chimney on both sides: one is a plug which can be disconnected, but the other side the cables just disappear into the chimney. I'm not sure which cable is for which.

On top of that, I suspect the mast may have taking a whack at some time, as the hinge pins seem to be damaged. I think I can remove them, but it seems like more work than it should be. I'll post a couple of pictures as soon as I figure out how.

So basically, do people remove the mast on their boats to cover it? If so, is their something easy I'm missing regarding the cabling?

Thank you!

Joe

 

[Two killicks]

I do remove mine! Less friction on the tarp, it's easy re install in the spring. Congrats on the new tug!

 

[jkurlanski]

Here is a picture of the wiring


And the mast bolt (although its a bit tough to see unless you zoom in)

 

[Two killicks]

I see what you mean by looking at the pictures. It's too bad that there are no Male/female connector for your wiring on both cables. I would seek for a technician that would install a waterproof connector, so that you may disconnect both cables easily. They work at 70$ an hours in my area, it's probably a 2 hours job I guess. does the wiring go right thru the radar reflector located inside the funnel?

 

[SGIDAVE]

Here is a picture of the wiring


And the mast bolt (although its a bit tough to see unless you zoom in)

Hello Joe,

The radar cable can be disconnected at the dome. Does the radar cable run INSIDE the mast tubing? If so, leave the mast in place. If not, it could be removed from the outside (is it cable-tied to mast?) which would make removing your mast simple from a "wiring" standpoint.

If you elect to leave the mast in place, covering it with a piece of carpet or an old rug would help prevent the winter cover from chaffing through.

good luck!

dave

 

[jkurlanski]

I found the disconnects under the radar dome. I hadn't seen those and I'll probably have to loosen or remove the dome as well since the wires go under it, but that's simple enough. The wiring runs outside the tube for the radar, held in place with some zip ties and small plastic clamps. These could use replacement anyway.

I'm definitely more comfortable pulling the mast off now, as it doesn't look like a major re-wiring job or serious effort to reattach in the spring. Certainly nothing I want to do every time I tow the boat, but once a year is fine.

Thanks for all the help!