I'm a little emabarassed to ask this question but I can't understand the books I've been reading on this subject. I also would like to understand if my light is wired corectly. This question is directly mainly to other 260 owners. I have a white light at the top of my mast. The control panel switch for this light can be moved to steaming, off (center position), or mast. When the switch is set to steaming, the light cannot be seem from the front but is visible for approximately 270 degrees to the rear and sides. When the switch is set to "mast", the light is visible 360 degrees. According to what I've read, when I'm moving (steaming) under wind or motor power, I should use a steaming light. However, a bridge captain informed me that he could not see me approaching from up river because there was no visible light on my mast. I've been setting the switch to "mast" when at anchor, because I understand an "anchor" light needs to be visible 360 degrees. So if I need the 360 light when at anchor and I need to be visible from the front when steaming, when would I ever need the light only visible from the rear and sides? Do you think the light has been accidentaly rotated by the previous owner? Shouldn't the steaming light at the top of the mast be visible from the front and sides but not from the back? I also have a steaming light just above the transom.
anchor light or steaming light
- Thread starter Tim2853
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You have a screwed around lamp
You are correct. When "steaming" you have to present an all around white light and your red and green running lights. When sailing you have to present a white light only to the rear and your red and greens. If memory serves it is 120 degrees or 60 degrees either side of the centerline of the boat toward the stern when sailing. When you turn on the "steaming" light it covers the other 240 degrees making effectively an "all around" light. Do your have an "aft" white light? It sounds like the light is just put on backward. Time for a trip up the mast.
You are correct. When "steaming" you have to present an all around white light and your red and green running lights. When sailing you have to present a white light only to the rear and your red and greens. If memory serves it is 120 degrees or 60 degrees either side of the centerline of the boat toward the stern when sailing. When you turn on the "steaming" light it covers the other 240 degrees making effectively an "all around" light. Do your have an "aft" white light? It sounds like the light is just put on backward. Time for a trip up the mast.
The light fixture is reversed.
When steaming you should show a forward facing light for approximately 225 degrees. When you flick on the anchor light it will turn on both the steaming and rear facing to complete the 360 degrees. The wiring seems to be OK so you just need the reverse the fixture. Perhaps a 260 owner can tell you how it is attached.
When steaming you should show a forward facing light for approximately 225 degrees. When you flick on the anchor light it will turn on both the steaming and rear facing to complete the 360 degrees. The wiring seems to be OK so you just need the reverse the fixture. Perhaps a 260 owner can tell you how it is attached.
Otherwise Bill nailed it.Don't thinks so Bill. Or not in Australia
And I'm pretty sure it is the rule all over the world. When at anchor at night you must display an all round white light and no other navigation lights. Whilst under sail alone you must display Port and starboard lights plus a white stern light that is only visable from behind. Whilst under power even if your sails are up you must display as above for sailing as well as a forward facing white mast head light.
And I'm pretty sure it is the rule all over the world. When at anchor at night you must display an all round white light and no other navigation lights. Whilst under sail alone you must display Port and starboard lights plus a white stern light that is only visable from behind. Whilst under power even if your sails are up you must display as above for sailing as well as a forward facing white mast head light.
Check deck connection
Have pulled the wiring out of the deck connector when stepping the mast on my 260. I know it is possible to reconnect the wires incorrectly. Try switching the positions of the red and white wires in the connector from the mast.
Have pulled the wiring out of the deck connector when stepping the mast on my 260. I know it is possible to reconnect the wires incorrectly. Try switching the positions of the red and white wires in the connector from the mast.
Re-read it Mark.
Bill is right, although I didn't think so at first either. You're both saying the same thing. The term "all around" is confusing. To clairfy, I think: Steaming is combination of a stern light and the foward facing mast light for an "all around" (i.e., 360 degree) white light. Anchor is a single "all around" white light at the highest point of the boat - typically the top of the mast. Did I get that correct?
Bill is right, although I didn't think so at first either. You're both saying the same thing. The term "all around" is confusing. To clairfy, I think: Steaming is combination of a stern light and the foward facing mast light for an "all around" (i.e., 360 degree) white light. Anchor is a single "all around" white light at the highest point of the boat - typically the top of the mast. Did I get that correct?
MAST LIGHT
MAST LIGHT My 2005 was wired wrong from the factory. Check archives Crazy Dave talked about this. If yours is wired backwards pull switch panel to change wire connections.
MAST LIGHT My 2005 was wired wrong from the factory. Check archives Crazy Dave talked about this. If yours is wired backwards pull switch panel to change wire connections.
yes, no, maybe...
...I agree that the most likely cause is reversal of wiring. BUT it is possible to reverse the two lamp fixture at the top of the mast, and as pointed out, you will not be displaying the proper arc of "mast head light" if the rear fixture was placed foward. The technical term "mast head light" is synonamous with "steaming light", but I don't believe that it includes a"stern light" which is a differnt animal. On these sized boats, you can use an all around white light (fixture at top of mast only when both lamps are on) WHEN UNDER POWER IF your stern light is off. Again since the boat is configured with a mast head light (225 degree arc) and a stern light (135 degree arc) you may as well use that configuration under power. Don and Mark, I think that you are both saying the same thing using different terms. alan
...I agree that the most likely cause is reversal of wiring. BUT it is possible to reverse the two lamp fixture at the top of the mast, and as pointed out, you will not be displaying the proper arc of "mast head light" if the rear fixture was placed foward. The technical term "mast head light" is synonamous with "steaming light", but I don't believe that it includes a"stern light" which is a differnt animal. On these sized boats, you can use an all around white light (fixture at top of mast only when both lamps are on) WHEN UNDER POWER IF your stern light is off. Again since the boat is configured with a mast head light (225 degree arc) and a stern light (135 degree arc) you may as well use that configuration under power. Don and Mark, I think that you are both saying the same thing using different terms. alan
Almost
-- to further clarify stern and masthead lights for sailboats less than 20 meters under motor power: Stern light facing aft at 135 degrees and masthead light facing foward at 270 degrees. The anchor light is the one that shows 360 degrees and should be mounted at the highest part of the mast. To complicate matters, there are exceptions for boats less than 7 meters (23 feet). Check pages 44 & 45 in the 2001 edition of Boat Smart by the USPS for more information.
-- to further clarify stern and masthead lights for sailboats less than 20 meters under motor power: Stern light facing aft at 135 degrees and masthead light facing foward at 270 degrees. The anchor light is the one that shows 360 degrees and should be mounted at the highest part of the mast. To complicate matters, there are exceptions for boats less than 7 meters (23 feet). Check pages 44 & 45 in the 2001 edition of Boat Smart by the USPS for more information.
A good reference w/ pics
Here's a good reference: http://www.auxetrain.org/lights2.html Tim: Agree, sounds like you need to physically rotate your light 180, no wireing will fix this as far as I can tell.
Here's a good reference: http://www.auxetrain.org/lights2.html Tim: Agree, sounds like you need to physically rotate your light 180, no wireing will fix this as far as I can tell.
one more to weigh-in
on this. First in your question you say steaming light might be for sail and powering. Actually it's only required for powering. Remember that the right of way rules change depending on whether you're under sail or power. The skipper of a conflicting vessel needs to know whether you are pure sail or motor sailing. If he sees a high mounted white lite in addition to your running lights he will assume you are motoring; even if your sails are up, and act accordingly. Likewise, if you are at anchor and the high mounted light is visible(unless he is behind you he wont know if it's your mast or steaming) AND YOU FORGET to turn off your running lights he will again assume you are under power. Under sail you should show RED/Green forward and White aft. On your boat this should be your running lights and mounted on the bow pulpit and on the transom. Of course this gives you 360 degrees visibility BUT IS NOT WHAT is termed "all-around". The anchor light is "all around".... one light or combination of WHITE lights in ONE location projecting 360 degrees at highest practical point. As one responder said, the rules have a little varience based on boat length. Bottom line...your light is on backwards.
on this. First in your question you say steaming light might be for sail and powering. Actually it's only required for powering. Remember that the right of way rules change depending on whether you're under sail or power. The skipper of a conflicting vessel needs to know whether you are pure sail or motor sailing. If he sees a high mounted white lite in addition to your running lights he will assume you are motoring; even if your sails are up, and act accordingly. Likewise, if you are at anchor and the high mounted light is visible(unless he is behind you he wont know if it's your mast or steaming) AND YOU FORGET to turn off your running lights he will again assume you are under power. Under sail you should show RED/Green forward and White aft. On your boat this should be your running lights and mounted on the bow pulpit and on the transom. Of course this gives you 360 degrees visibility BUT IS NOT WHAT is termed "all-around". The anchor light is "all around".... one light or combination of WHITE lights in ONE location projecting 360 degrees at highest practical point. As one responder said, the rules have a little varience based on boat length. Bottom line...your light is on backwards.
Still, yes, no, maybe...
...in no particular order! Nice condensed Colregs UnderDog. I would still check the wiring first as when I changed my deck plug it became painfully obvious that I had reversed the wiring too. It may be possible to tell without without dropping the mast, which lamp has the larger arc (mast head light at 225 degrees vs rear facing lamp at 135 degrees). The light fixture is high up and if you can't tell which of the lamps has the larger arc I would drop the mast. I carry spare bulbs and battery opperated lamps as a backup and although not certified are better than nothing. Love sailing at night, nothing in the world like it. alan
...in no particular order! Nice condensed Colregs UnderDog. I would still check the wiring first as when I changed my deck plug it became painfully obvious that I had reversed the wiring too. It may be possible to tell without without dropping the mast, which lamp has the larger arc (mast head light at 225 degrees vs rear facing lamp at 135 degrees). The light fixture is high up and if you can't tell which of the lamps has the larger arc I would drop the mast. I carry spare bulbs and battery opperated lamps as a backup and although not certified are better than nothing. Love sailing at night, nothing in the world like it. alan
Yes when navigating at night ...
you should show a white stern light. One, usually located at the stern rail. To show two one above the other is to represent a large cruising ship. If the 260 has a stern light then the one at the top of the mast should be off with just the front being lit on a 225 arc.
you should show a white stern light. One, usually located at the stern rail. To show two one above the other is to represent a large cruising ship. If the 260 has a stern light then the one at the top of the mast should be off with just the front being lit on a 225 arc.
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