Cables Running Along Rails - Advice Needed

[akio.kanemoto]

Howdy,

OK, so I'm almost done.. just installed a cell/3G antenna, AIS GPS, AIS VHF and a satphone antenna on the way.

All of these are mounted on the stern rails and the cables from all of these lead along the rails to the base of the rails into the deck.

At the moment - I have covered all of the cables individually with black, very small diameter split loom/cable conduit and have used cable ties to secure these to the rails.

This seemed like a great idea before I started, but there's really no "grip" on the shiny rails for the cable ties.. so despite how tight I make the cable ties, they still turn on the rails if one bumps into them and takes the cables out of alignment and disturbs my aesthetic sense of peace... ahem.

On another note - the cable ties have been cut off flush and despite this are quite spiky... so I can see them cutting hands/legs in the future.

Are there any elegant and aesthetically pleasing solutions to this? I've googled pushpit/solar/antenna mountings for the past 2 hours and can't find many examples... and the ones I did find are just cable ties.

Surely there must be a better way!

The best thing I can think of is self amalgamating tape perhaps? But wouldn't this stick to the cables and become unremovable in case the cable needs to be relocated etc?

What is everybody else doing?

Thanks muchly!

AK

[Sailmonkey]

The best solution is to drill a hole in the rail and run the cables inside Maybe not what you were thinking, but it's the best and most pleasing to look at.

[akio.kanemoto]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

The best solution is to drill a hole in the rail and run the cables inside Maybe not what you were thinking, but it's the best and most pleasing to look at.

Thanks for that - I should have said "without drilling the rails". I've just spent 6 years making the boat leak-free and don't want to introduce any holes anywhere unless I am faced with death threats..

[DeepFrz]

Something along this idea? You could make them as an open U instead of a tube, then a small stainless hose clamp to hold the cable in place. There are end caps for the hose clamps to prevent cuts.
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...r_Comment1.jpg

Or run the cables inside the railing until you get to the area of the through hull gland or what ever you are using.

[Blue Stocking]

I had to install all new nav and comm gear on the tuna tower of a sport fisherman.
I found that the neatest and most acceptable way was to attach anodized alum. tubing on the main runs as conduits, with small screws attaching to the main structure. You could use StSteel. Very little cable exposed.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by akio.kanemoto

......
This seemed like a great idea before I started, but there's really no "grip" on the shiny rails for the cable ties.. so despite how tight I make the cable ties, they still turn on the rails if one bumps into them and takes the cables out of alignment and disturbs my aesthetic sense of peace... ahem.

Not elegant but you can wrap one or two turns of self amalgamating tape around the SS tube ONLY and then place the cable tie over the tape.

Originally Posted by akio.kanemoto

On another note - the cable ties have been cut off flush and despite this are quite spiky... so I can see them cutting hands/legs in the future.

We use hundreds of cable ties a week and I NEVER let any of our staff use anything else but FLUSH side cutters for cutting the tails.
Most side cutters are bevelled or at the best "semi flush" but if you use quality small sharp flush side cutters, they can be cut without any sharp bits sticking out. You should be able to get them from electronic suppliers.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by akio.kanemoto

Thanks for that - I should have said "without drilling the rails". I've just spent 6 years making the boat leak-free and don't want to introduce any holes anywhere unless I am faced with death threats..

Unless you have a very strange s/s rail design I don't see how drilling them will cause leaks Apart from that I don't think there is a "neat" alternative - could maybe try a cable tidy, but IMO would still look cr#p.......

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Wotname

... Most side cutters are bevelled or at the best "semi flush" but if you use quality small sharp flush side cutters, they can be cut without any sharp bits sticking out. You should be able to get them from electronic suppliers.

See the "Ultra Full Flush Diagonal" cutters
➥ http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20...%20Cutters.pdf

[akio.kanemoto]

Thank you for the replies. It's not the "tails" sticking out that I'm worried about - I have flush cutting pliers so the cut off part is not sticking out. The issue is the "box" part of the cable tie (I'm sure it has a name!).

As for the question about drilling rails - the bases of the rails have a hole in the middle for some bizarre reason - presumably to aid drainage (but the rails are totally sealed)... and by unsealing the rails, the water will make its way to the bases.. and while there's a mountain of sealant underneath now, I don't want to tempt fate.

Btw, does anybody know whether self-amalgamating tape leaves a sticky residue on surfaces after removal?

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by akio.kanemoto

Btw, does anybody know whether self-amalgamating tape leaves a sticky residue on surfaces after removal?

AK, it does not do so. It's never very sticky and only sticks to itself.

Jim

[akio.kanemoto]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

AK, it does not do so. It's never very sticky and only sticks to itself.

Jim

Hmm.. I might buy some, as well as look at the local hardware store and see if I can make a couple of attempts with some of the ideas above.