J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Unstepping the Mast

Not sure where 281 came from but on Long Island Sound we had to have thru bolt at the base of the mast to keep it there in case of dismasting. You might make sure you don't have a bolt installed. Good luck. On my boat one of the wire pairs I use for my Windex light only has about 2 VDC by the mast.