Masthead maintenance suggestions

[WaltUnsalted]

I pulled the mast on my 1984 O'Day 34 this winter to replace derelict wind instruments and the dead steaming light. I think most of the gear is original to the boat so I want to take the opportunity to do other preventive maintenance while it's down and am looking for advice on my task list:

1. Check standing rigging and fittings
2. Replace VHF squatty body 5215 with VHF/AIS combo?
3. Replace all-around anchor light with LED fixture
4. Replace steaming light bulb with LED vs whole fixture refit
5. Add messenger lines in two empty halyard tracks for future additions
6. Evaluate masthead sheaves - replace/lubricate??
7. Mount GPS receiver on masthead vs deck - undecided

Any thoughts/suggestions/additions/recommendations appreciated.
BTW, I'm replacing the Datamarine instruments with B&G wind/DST/GPS/Triton to supplement a Raymarine EV-200 AP. Looking forward to some longer trips with less manual helm work!

[Shoalcove]

That sounds like a good plan. You may want to consider changing the vhf coax in case there is corrosion that would reduce range. I’d consider doing the same for the wire for the lights. I have found a lot of wires with black copper over the years with my boat of similar vintage.

[jt11791]

Change the standing rigging if it is original.

Check the masthead casting for cracks.

Install LED Tri-color/anchor light

Don't put the GPS on the masthead, no real advantage and longer cable runs are to be avoided.
The current VHF antenna will work with your AIS using a splitter (the powered type), do change the coax cable.
Check the sheaves and grease the axles.

[Shoalcove]

I missed the gps on masthead part. Better to keep it on deck imo.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Shoalcove

I missed the gps on masthead part. Better to keep it on deck imo.

This. There is zero reason to put the gps antenna up there.

[WaltUnsalted]

Originally Posted by jt11791

Change the standing rigging if it is original.

Check the masthead casting for cracks.

Install LED Tri-color/anchor light

Don't put the GPS on the masthead, no real advantage and longer cable runs are to be avoided.
The current VHF antenna will work with your AIS using a splitter (the powered type), do change the coax cable.
Check the sheaves and grease the axles.

If I put a tricolor/anchor light atop the mast, do I need the bow & stern nav lights anymore?

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by WaltUnsalted

If I put a tricolor/anchor light atop the mast, do I need the bow & stern nav lights anymore?

Yes, because when you’re motoring the steaming light must be above the navigation lights. So, either the tricolour and no steaming light, or steaming light with deck-level nav lights.

Our boat only has a masthead nav light, so we’re illegal when we are motoring at night. No one has stopped us for that, but if we were ever in a collision while motoring at night I assume our fault would be increased as we don’t have legal lights.

[Benz]

Originally Posted by jt11791

Change the standing rigging if it is original.

Check the masthead casting for cracks.

Install LED Tri-color/anchor light

Don't put the GPS on the masthead, no real advantage and longer cable runs are to be avoided.
The current VHF antenna will work with your AIS using a splitter (the powered type), do change the coax cable.
Check the sheaves and grease the axles.

A word of caution about using the same antenna with a splitter for VHF and AIS: While doing this, a malfunction in the middle of a week-plus passage left us having to choose either VHF or AIS, not both at once. To speak to an AIS target we had to disconnect the AIS in order to use the VHF. I would research the feasibility of having a dedicated antenna for each (it may be that there will be interferece?).

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by WaltUnsalted

If I put a tricolor/anchor light atop the mast, do I need the bow & stern nav lights anymore?

Of course, a tricolor is only for sailing, and really only for doing so while offshore away from shore lights. Once you start the engine you require deck level lights with the steaming light above them.