Routing Nav Lights from Bow to Console on a 175

[CTsalt12]

My bow navigation light wires on my 175 went bad and I need to replace them.  I'm having some real difficulties getting them from the console to the bow. 

Here's the kicker, I can't pull them through while attached to the old wires, because the old wires broke when attempting this.  The old wires went from the console, to the fuel tank coffin under the deck  below the console, and followed the fuel fill/vent lines up to the bow, and eventually to the bow lights. 

However, I noticed that there seems to be a separate rigging channel for wires from console to bow.  To the starboard of my fuel tank coffin, under my console, there is the rigging hole like all our boats.  From this hole, one channel goes to the stern for engine etc.  One small channel goes to the fuel coffin for sender.  And one channel goes to the bow from that hole.  Presumably for nav lights and fuel fill ground (although it was not used on my boat.  I've tried pushing wires through with a straightened out hanger to no avail.  The hanger goes far, but doesn't come out anywhere I can grab it and continue to pull it though.

Does anyone have any clue what I'm talking about or have any clever ideas?  Cheers

[RickK]

The problem with routing anything through the same path as the fuel tank fill and vent is that they foamed in the hoses. Hell, getting the old fuel hose and vent hose is pure hell due to that foam.
Your model year is too new for me to know any tricks - my old 170 had a trough going from console to the aft and I ran a new nav light wire from the aft to the front via a hole in the liner at the aft and pushed a fish tape forward (was a pain).  When I rebuilt the boat I ran PVC tubes from the new gas tank cradle to the front and 2 toward the rear under the sole.

[CTsalt12]

Thanks Rick.  The lights used to go through the same path as fuel tank fill/vent.  Mine isn't actually foamed.  I am thinking of going the same route as you did, run nav lights from console aft via rigging channel, then fore in the gunnels.  That rigging channel is SO tight in my boat, but I can make that work.

But what I'd prefer to do Is run them direct console fore to the bow.  IT seems like there's a tiny rigging channel for this purpose (like 1/2 or 3/4 inch).  I tried pushing my redneck wire chase though there, I just couldn't get It to come out anywhere.  Seems like my wire chase went through the channel, and then came out and got stuck between stringers below deck or something.  Argh.

[RickK]

On my 170, originally the front nav wire was actually taped to the underside of the gunwale top (like the cap) with a couple strips of resin'd fiberglass tape.  You couldn't budge them. What were they thinking   

[boatnamesue]

CT....does your model year have that starboard trough w/removable deck lid?  If so you'll pass the wiring from under console, down to deck where it meets trough.  Then you've gotta drill a vertical hole thru the inset rod holder far enough down below the top level of trough.  Then drill horizontal thru hole to connect the vertical hole.  Pass wires thru.  Feed wires fwd up to bulk.  Drill thru hole.  Pass wires thru bulk and feed behind cap.  It's arduous, but if you want the wires hidden that's what it takes.  Good luck!

[CTsalt12]

Jason-no removable deck lid, but there is a trough on the starboard side of the boat below deck which is where my engine rigging, bilge, etc wires go through.  I am likely going to run the nav lights from the bow, through the starboard gunnel, and up through this trough.  Never a fun job as that trough is small, and packed with engine rigging, bilge, 2 speakers, washdown, and transducer wires.  And they're probably all twisted up.