Anchor light beneteau oceanis 37

[macdoug]

The anchor light on my 2012 oceanis 37 has failed. Ideally I would like to change the whole light fitting to a sealed LED. Has anyone done that and what fitting did they use? Also what tools would I need to take up the mast with me? I am not a massive fan of heights so going up the mast once is preferable to twice or more! Failing that what bulb would I need?

thanks

 

[Davidasailor26]

On newer hulls Beneteau switched to an LED from the factory. You can get the fixture they used from them via https://spareparts.beneteauusa.com/. (Work through a dealer to get access to the site, and that dealer will fulfill your orders.) Their part is $193 though so there may be more economical options.

 

[BigEasy]

The anchor light on my 2012 oceanis 37 has failed. Ideally I would like to change the whole light fitting to a sealed LED. Has anyone done that and what fitting did they use?

As @Davidasailor26 mentioned, you can check on the spare parts sight to determine what fixture was used & purchase an LED bulb only.
On my vintage (2006), Beneteau used Hella incandescent fixtures & festoon shaped bulb ends. If you are set on replacing the entire fixture, there are multiple options to consider depending on price & quality.
Marine beam, that is a reputable company, offers one that is sealed & USCG approved as well as an economy series that is comparable to Hella & Aqua Signal and at a significant discount as compared to Beneteau.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Bring a few pieces of line to tether parts and tools. I doubt your gelcoat, parts and tools would survive a fall from that height! I'd recommend using some heatshrink crimp connectors with a decent ratchet crimper and torch lighter. I've been using the Ticonn brand of connectors with Klein crimpers. You will have to adjust the crimpers but I've had pretty good results over the past few years

 

[NYSail]

When I go up the mast I always fill my bag (part of my bosuns chair) with a variety of tools. However I also bring up with me a line long enough that I can drop to the deck and someone can tie a bag/bucket onto and fill with any additional items I might need.

 

[mermike]

A word of warning on Marinebeam. I've had 2 of 3 fail now. The bicolor bow light failed last fall. I was wondering why all those boats were honking at us as we approached Bell Harbor just after nightfall . The second was the anchor light, which I found as we anchored the first night out on a 3 week trip earlier this month. My steaming/deck light is still working.

I figured the first was perhaps my fault. There was water ingress. Maybe I whacked it with the anchor or something? Then I climbed the mast last week to replace the anchor light. There was a little bit of condensation inside, but no visible damage.

Both lights were installed in the spring of 2019. 5 years of service for LED lights at $100 a pop is well below my expectations. It's not like the lights get daily use. Since they are sealed units, it's pitch and replace.

I contacted Marinebeam and this is what they said, in part: "Overall we've had very good longevity in that series of navigation lights but have found that over the years some northern climates have tended to cause failure due to temperature swings."

They asked if I bench tested the light. I did and reported back. I requested a replacement. Crickets since then. If I do hear back, I'll post an update.

Regarding tools, since I was just up the mast, it's fresh in my mind. Here's what I used:
screwdrivers - flat and phillips
small Crescent wrench
dykes
wire stripper
crimper
heat shrink butt splices
heat shrink tubing
small butane torch
electrical tape

 

[jssailem]

You look like a master up there. I wonder if you hire out?

 

[mermike]

Absolutely not!

 

[tewilso]

What gear allows you to go up? I am ignorant as a new 323 owner about mast climbing but assume you somehow use two lines - with spinnaker halyard as a redundant one? Donyou have a relevant youtube?

 

[Davidasailor26]

What gear allows you to go up? I am ignorant as a new 323 owner about mast climbing but assume you somehow use two lines - with spinnaker halyard as a redundant one? Donyou have a relevant youtube?

You’ll need a bosuns chair or harness and two halyards to go up on. The main halyard is probably the best primary line to go up on. Unfortunately the 323 is a fractional rig so the jib halyard (and probably spinnaker halyard) don’t go all the way to the mast head. If that’s the case you might be able to use the topping lift as the backup line depending on its size, or maybe the jib or spin halyard if necessary. Always tie knots in the line ends for this - do not rely on shackles. Figure 8 follow-throughs are a good knot, or a double bowline.

In any case going ~40’ above the deck has some dangers and there are other safety considerations to take into account beyond the chair and halyards. I’d recommend doing more research to make sure all the necessary precautions are being taken.

 

[JRacer]

As @Davidasailor26 mentioned, you can check on the spare parts sight to determine what fixture was used & purchase an LED bulb only.
On my vintage (2006), Beneteau used Hella incandescent fixtures & festoon shaped bulb ends. If you are set on replacing the entire fixture, there are multiple options to consider depending on price & quality.
Marine beam, that is a reputable company, offers one that is sealed & USCG approved as well as an economy series that is comparable to Hella & Aqua Signal and at a significant discount as compared to Beneteau.View attachment 226691View attachment 226693

Something to consider. I recently replaced my Aqua Signal (25 size) fixture with the Marinebeam fixture pictured here. I found that the masthead casting on my 92 First 310 was cast with precast and tapped holes in the pattern that fits the Aqua Signal 25. The Marinebeam fixture pictured here has a pattern that is "wider" than the Aqua signal 25 fixture. So, I had to fabricate a plate to bolt to the masthead casting and then bolt the Marinebeam fixture to the plate. It was a PITA. As my mast was down, this was not a terrible problem but I can't imagine doing it at the top of the stick. If your Aqua Signal fixture is sound, I'd recommend just replacing the bulb with the festoon end LED equivalent. Marinebeam has those and can supply. Or, find a replacement fixture that matches the bolt pattern of the OEM Aqua Signal 25 - I could not find one. Picture of mine after replacement attached.