If you have a clear run (i.e., you actually can run a snake from step to
tip of mast) can you come up directly under the center of the mast and
run up to the top?

I realize I am assuming deck stepped which is probably not accurate....

I acquired a 30 ft wooden sloop years ago that had the VHF antenna wire
taped to the backstay and entering the boat at the stern, running up to
the radio. No one ever commented on it, and it worked. Periodically I
would renew the black tape. It was better IMHO than having a bunch of
little screw or nail holes holding conduit going up the mast and
disturbing the continuity of the varnish layer.

good luck,

Jonathan

Moores family wrote:

G'day
I've got the masts out of Tropic Bird (H28) to re-varnish the main and
I'll be changing a few things around when they go back in. There's a
single cable up the main for the steaming light, originally run up
beside the track with cable clips and wasn't too obvious, so I'll
probably just put it back that way unless anyone has a better idea.

I'll be putting the VHF aerial and an anchor light at the top of the
mizzen, so I need 2 cables. The mizzen uses a bolt rope, so there's no
track to hide it beside. I've been wracking my brains to think of a
neat way to make them less obvious, perhaps an oval conduit. I don't
want to compromise the integrity of the mast, so drilling holes and
trying to fish a draw wire through isn't an option.
Any ideas?
Thanks
JM