Mounting Antenna

[laxaholic]

i am thinking about mounting a vhf antenna on my catalina 25 tall rig. but was wondering where teh best place to put it would be? on the spreaders, back rail, or elsewhere?

[Pete7]

Since VHF range is dependant on height, the top of the mast is probably the best position. Its also out of the way so less likely to get damaged.

We have a second mounted on a 2m pole at the stern but only for the AIS.

Pete

[laxaholic]

is the mast spreaders a decent place to mount it? what is the best way to get up there and do it? what type of bracket would work best

[perchance]

Best at the head of the mast. You can add a Windex to the whip and kill two birds with one stone.

[laxaholic]

im not sure how i would do that? im trying to get it up there without taking the boat out of the water.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by laxaholic

im not sure how i would do that? im trying to get it up there without taking the boat out of the water.

Why dya need the boat outa the water to climb up the mast....
seriously.... if you fall off... the waters a lot more friendly than the B/yard floor...

[laxaholic]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Why dya need the boat outa the water to climb up the mast....
seriously.... if you fall off... the waters a lot more friendly than the B/yard floor...

falling on the deck wouldn't be too fun either, lol.
would the mast hold me and be stable on a 25 footer? (still a tall rig)

[boatman61]

Forgot to ask.... how heavy are you...
I reckon you'll be fine... doubt the masts over 30ft

[Lowcountry]

I went up the mast on my old C25TR several times, and didn't need a bosun's chair to do it. I climbed up it like a monkey would. No issues. I do not recommend that approach, though, as it is dangerous. Go up in a bosun's chair. The biggest problem you are going to have is threading the wire back down the inside of the mast and then getting it through your coach roof and to your VHF.

[laxaholic]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Forgot to ask.... how heavy are you...
I reckon you'll be fine... doubt the masts over 30ft

170-175ish

[jjones1349]

The mast is 30' on this boat...deck mounted I assume. A few friends could help to lower the mast as climbing would be scarry on such a short boat...3 tons displacement. I live in the land of unstepping/stepping every year so am used to removing/re-installing the mast head windex/vhf antenna for safe keeping.
The mast head would be the only place for this as the second poster suggested.
My mast is 54' keel mounted so 48' above the deck. I'm glad I get to work on it (the mast) on the ground but realize that living in southern climes that masts don't come down to weather the winter winds. Oh joy oh bliss.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by laxaholic

170-175ish

How strong the G/F... wife...
Naw... get a mate to haul you up using the mains halyard and tie on the jib/spinnaker halyard as a safety line... you'll be fine as long as he stays in the cockpit and does not walk midships and lean outboard to look up at what your doing....
On second thoughts... could be a good stability test....


Just kidding mate...

[James Baines]

Top of the mast is the only way to go and as suggested by others, having someone haul you up with the halyard is normal practice. (Just be sure that the someone you select is not someone you pissed off recently). As was also already mentioned, you will find that the worst and longest part of the job is running the damned cabling “Invisibly”. Another option, if your mooring would allow, would be to use the halyard to tilt your boat towards the shore to get your mast at an angle you would feel comfortable climbing, I've never done that but I've seen others do it and they and their boats survived the experience...

[Lancerbye]

You,a bosun's chair and a friend you trust. Don't have the person on the halyard winch be the same person who is the beneficiary of your life insurance. Too much temptation. lol

[sea_goin_dude]

Speaking of masts, how many of you guys have taken direct lightning strikes??