Ask first, then drill...

[chesapeake724]

Ahoy, gents.

Bowlight is dead and I'm not getting any current through the existing wiring. Said wires also are secured somewhere I can't see and/or reach, so using the old to fish the new isn't possible. It's not as aesthetically pleasing to route the new wiring exposed, but that's not a big deal to me. It's inside the cuddy anyway. There's obviously a hole in the deck that the old wires come out of, about 3 inches from the edge of the nose. Ideally, I want to drill straight down this hole to go through the headliner and into the cabin. But, is there actually cabin-space straight down? If there was space, I'd drill from the cabin upwards and through the deck to guarantee it. My fear is that I drill straight down, go through the top of the keel and never see the drill bit from inside the cabin.

Anyone ever remove the cap and/or headliner to see the bare construction?

[Mac_Attack]

Seakindly moved his bow light to make room for his anchor. He tell you more I'm sure in the mean time check out his gallery photos. Bill Mc ;D

Why do you have to drill any new holes? Are you moving the light?

NOT ENUF ROOM TO DRILL FROM INSIDE DUE TO FLARE OF HULL. Just use a short bit, and you can't go wrong.

[mawshj]

I don't know about your bow light but mine has a counter bore into the deck about a 7/8 inch hole almost but not thru the deck to provide space for the excess wire to coil into when the light is bolted down. if you have this also you can drill in this at a steep angle to insure that the drill tip enters the cuddy cabin, in the storage hole behind the cuddy liner. then the wires can be fished back to the wireing panel by fishing them behind the cuddy liner along the starboard side.

[chesapeake724]

Turned out to be a non-issue, as SK was steering me towards. Long screwdriver into the existing hole from above, then a little shove through the headliner carpet and into the cabin. Glad I put a little plywood there so I didn't put a ding in the cabin liner. Got the new bowlight wired and am happy to report that when I flip the switch, the light goes on. ;D

maw',
The light I originally bought would've required boring the wire hole to accommodate the fixture body, as it wasn't entirely an above-deck mount. I just exchanged it for a unit that is completely a surface mount (aside from the wires).

[macojoe]

Head liner?? whats that!! :o I must have the striped down model! ;D

CPK -- GLAD YA WERE FINALLY ABLE TO SHED SOME LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT. ;D

[chesapeake724]

You win the war with boat upkeep//repair/upgrade just like you win any other war: by winning as many of the little battles as you can. ;D

The ocean ALWAYS wins, eventually. :-*