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Scott Johnston
Minimize your UP time
Replaced the entire unit a year ago. If your 31 is anything like our 34 there is a solid plate that is machine screwed to the top of the mast. After fussing around with the old unit I found the best way to work on it was as follows. 1) remove the plate with the masthead light unit still attached. 2) clip the wires near the old connectors - remember not to let go! - I taped the wires to the mast before cutting to ensure that I didn't drop them. Check them for voltage before cutting to ensure the problem is with the fitting. 3) bring the plate/fitting down. 4) install the new masthead fitting on the plate, and preinstall your connectors. I use a little sealant in the end of the connectors after crimping the wires in. 5) Backup top, connect your wires and re-install the masthead plate. This does involve 2 trips (I made about 5 at first) but it is much easier to remove the old fitting and install the new one at deck level, instead of swaying around 50+ feet in the air. Ever noticed how hard you tend to grip tools at that height? If your really paranoid about loosing screws etc, you can always run some duct tape around the top of the mast to make a kind of a bowl (some visualization required on that last point). Scott 83-H34 Island Hops. PS. While you're up there with the plate off it's a good time to check your masthead sheaves.
Replaced the entire unit a year ago. If your 31 is anything like our 34 there is a solid plate that is machine screwed to the top of the mast. After fussing around with the old unit I found the best way to work on it was as follows. 1) remove the plate with the masthead light unit still attached. 2) clip the wires near the old connectors - remember not to let go! - I taped the wires to the mast before cutting to ensure that I didn't drop them. Check them for voltage before cutting to ensure the problem is with the fitting. 3) bring the plate/fitting down. 4) install the new masthead fitting on the plate, and preinstall your connectors. I use a little sealant in the end of the connectors after crimping the wires in. 5) Backup top, connect your wires and re-install the masthead plate. This does involve 2 trips (I made about 5 at first) but it is much easier to remove the old fitting and install the new one at deck level, instead of swaying around 50+ feet in the air. Ever noticed how hard you tend to grip tools at that height? If your really paranoid about loosing screws etc, you can always run some duct tape around the top of the mast to make a kind of a bowl (some visualization required on that last point). Scott 83-H34 Island Hops. PS. While you're up there with the plate off it's a good time to check your masthead sheaves.
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Tim
EASIER SOLUTION
I replaced my original masthead anchor light last spring when I dropped (OK, lowered!) the mast and replaced all running rigging, installed a new AWI, etc. However, since my anchor light had not worked reliably for the last 8 years, I had/have another solution for you (I really replaced the original to make it easier to see my windex when sailing at night!). I built my own anchor light out of an old "jelly" jar, low voltage automotive tail light bulb, lamp wire, cigarette plug/socket, and some electrical tape. 30 minutes to make (I'll send you more detailed instructions if you want) and cost about $5.00 total! You can also buy ready-made lights at the marine discount stores but for a LOT more $$$. I attached a line to the jar and used one of my spreader burgee hoists to raise the light to about 15' above the waterline and connected the light to a socket located in the main cabin (snake the cord thru the overhead cabin hatch). My theory is that a passing boat in the dark of night is more likely to see a light just above eye level than one 60' above. So far no one has rammed my boat! By the way, it is totally legal to use this type of anchor light and CG Auxiliary members here feel it is a safer/more visible alternative to a masthead light. Good luck! Tim L. TIDETIM@AOL.COM
I replaced my original masthead anchor light last spring when I dropped (OK, lowered!) the mast and replaced all running rigging, installed a new AWI, etc. However, since my anchor light had not worked reliably for the last 8 years, I had/have another solution for you (I really replaced the original to make it easier to see my windex when sailing at night!). I built my own anchor light out of an old "jelly" jar, low voltage automotive tail light bulb, lamp wire, cigarette plug/socket, and some electrical tape. 30 minutes to make (I'll send you more detailed instructions if you want) and cost about $5.00 total! You can also buy ready-made lights at the marine discount stores but for a LOT more $$$. I attached a line to the jar and used one of my spreader burgee hoists to raise the light to about 15' above the waterline and connected the light to a socket located in the main cabin (snake the cord thru the overhead cabin hatch). My theory is that a passing boat in the dark of night is more likely to see a light just above eye level than one 60' above. So far no one has rammed my boat! By the way, it is totally legal to use this type of anchor light and CG Auxiliary members here feel it is a safer/more visible alternative to a masthead light. Good luck! Tim L. TIDETIM@AOL.COM
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Jay Hill
About that easier method...
...are you sure it's legal? Did the USCG actually come down and inspect it and give you a certificate of compliance for it? An automotive tail light? What's the lumens and visibility? Hanging from the spreader? What about the 360 degree unobstructed view requirement? Glass jar? You don't get hail storms do you? Or was this IN ADDITION TO your regular anchor light vs. in lieu of? Not trying to be rude or rain on any parades, I'm just really curious about the legality and longevity of such a device. Don't you find it a bit inconvenient to pull this thing out and hoist it every night when cruising vs. flipping a switch in the cabin? How does it handle the wind in an all-night blow/storm? Can you still see it for 1000m in the rain? As I said, just curious.
...are you sure it's legal? Did the USCG actually come down and inspect it and give you a certificate of compliance for it? An automotive tail light? What's the lumens and visibility? Hanging from the spreader? What about the 360 degree unobstructed view requirement? Glass jar? You don't get hail storms do you? Or was this IN ADDITION TO your regular anchor light vs. in lieu of? Not trying to be rude or rain on any parades, I'm just really curious about the legality and longevity of such a device. Don't you find it a bit inconvenient to pull this thing out and hoist it every night when cruising vs. flipping a switch in the cabin? How does it handle the wind in an all-night blow/storm? Can you still see it for 1000m in the rain? As I said, just curious.
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Tim
ANCHOR LIGHT REVISITED
Jay, et. al.: Good questions. First of all, I'm no expert in the rules. I was simply trying to improve my visibility to other boaters in an anchorage....and more importantly not have to climb to the top of the mast to replace my anchor light! Let me answer your questions (sort of) in order. 1. Legality: COLREGS rules 21/22 says that masthead lights must be continually visible for 360 degrees for 2 miles (12 meters or less). By that definition, a light hung from a spreader is NOT legal. However, I have dingied all around my boat at a distance of around 100 yds (a distance where I think another boat would be worried about hitting another in his pathc) and never lost sight of the spreader hung anchor lights). Even in a very light breeze, the light swings around enough to negate the "blind" spot caused by the mast. Rule 30 (anchored vessels) specifically says that, "a vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit an all-around white light where it can best be seen..." I (and a lot of others) interpreted that rule to allow anchor lights at other than the masthead. 2. Glass Jar. The jar I used is a small "BALL" canning jar with the faceted sides which act as prisims similar to a Fresnel lense. I've been using it for 5 years with absolutely no problems...but never in a hail storm! 3. Automotive light: Works fine and draws VERY little (OK, I don't know exactly what the draw is!) amps. VERY bright. 3. Hassle: Not really. I put the light up and down at the same time I celebrate "colors" on the stern. Now that I have replaced the masthead anchor light I occasionally use both to improve my visibility, especially in an uncrowded, "open" anchorage, but still rely on my homemade light which I feel is easier to see (and thus avoid) from the deck of an approaching boat. Bottom line is that I agree that my light is probably not totally legal, but certainly meets the spirit of COLREGS. Other than informal discussions with local USCG Auxiliary members, I've not asked for an intrepretation of the rules. As a retired Naval Aviator, I've always lived by the..."Its easier to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission," rule! I would welcome additional comments on this matter. More fun than cleaning the head! Tim L.
Jay, et. al.: Good questions. First of all, I'm no expert in the rules. I was simply trying to improve my visibility to other boaters in an anchorage....and more importantly not have to climb to the top of the mast to replace my anchor light! Let me answer your questions (sort of) in order. 1. Legality: COLREGS rules 21/22 says that masthead lights must be continually visible for 360 degrees for 2 miles (12 meters or less). By that definition, a light hung from a spreader is NOT legal. However, I have dingied all around my boat at a distance of around 100 yds (a distance where I think another boat would be worried about hitting another in his pathc) and never lost sight of the spreader hung anchor lights). Even in a very light breeze, the light swings around enough to negate the "blind" spot caused by the mast. Rule 30 (anchored vessels) specifically says that, "a vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit an all-around white light where it can best be seen..." I (and a lot of others) interpreted that rule to allow anchor lights at other than the masthead. 2. Glass Jar. The jar I used is a small "BALL" canning jar with the faceted sides which act as prisims similar to a Fresnel lense. I've been using it for 5 years with absolutely no problems...but never in a hail storm! 3. Automotive light: Works fine and draws VERY little (OK, I don't know exactly what the draw is!) amps. VERY bright. 3. Hassle: Not really. I put the light up and down at the same time I celebrate "colors" on the stern. Now that I have replaced the masthead anchor light I occasionally use both to improve my visibility, especially in an uncrowded, "open" anchorage, but still rely on my homemade light which I feel is easier to see (and thus avoid) from the deck of an approaching boat. Bottom line is that I agree that my light is probably not totally legal, but certainly meets the spirit of COLREGS. Other than informal discussions with local USCG Auxiliary members, I've not asked for an intrepretation of the rules. As a retired Naval Aviator, I've always lived by the..."Its easier to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission," rule! I would welcome additional comments on this matter. More fun than cleaning the head! Tim L.
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Rick webb
Hair Splitting
Sounds like a bunch of hair splitting to me. Your nautical anti-smash light sounds as though it meets the criterion to me. It also sounds like a good back up system. I would not need to miss beer call to figure out why my anchor light won't light if I had one of these on board. Or better yet make it double redundent, have two one to hang on each side of the mast and get rid of the blind spot. One question though what type of bulb do you use?
Sounds like a bunch of hair splitting to me. Your nautical anti-smash light sounds as though it meets the criterion to me. It also sounds like a good back up system. I would not need to miss beer call to figure out why my anchor light won't light if I had one of these on board. Or better yet make it double redundent, have two one to hang on each side of the mast and get rid of the blind spot. One question though what type of bulb do you use?
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Jay Hill
Thanks Tim!
"It's all good" is all I can say. Then again, there's always: "Sounds like a plan" or "I love it when a plan comes together" thanks for the explanations.
"It's all good" is all I can say. Then again, there's always: "Sounds like a plan" or "I love it when a plan comes together" thanks for the explanations.
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