When I lived aboard my Coronado 35 years ago and we anchored out just about every evening, I learned that in order to conserve battery power (it took a big punch to start that Perkins 4-108) a lantern tied to my boom was a fantastic anchor light. Well, my memory of the brand of that lantern has long slipped my slipping memory; but I do recall it was German or European, did not rust, was very simple in construction (like any ordinary kerosene - wicked lantern) and lasted years. Can anyone recommend a brand of kerosene lamp made for the marine environment? Thanks Bob Catalina 30.
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look at davis 'mega lite '
I think that's what it's called, uses minute amounts of electricity and some have a photo cell so it turns off in the morning, and no worry about fuel storage/ fire issues. I have one mounted permanently on my radar post and all I do is turn on the anchor light breaker at the beginning of the weekend and then off when I get home, it's that easy
I think that's what it's called, uses minute amounts of electricity and some have a photo cell so it turns off in the morning, and no worry about fuel storage/ fire issues. I have one mounted permanently on my radar post and all I do is turn on the anchor light breaker at the beginning of the weekend and then off when I get home, it's that easy
Oil Lamp
I recently bought an all-brass oil anchor lamp off eBay, that was new, and similar to the one West Marine sells for $169, for $26. It was shipped from India and took a month to get here. But it looks, and works, great. If interested, search eBay for "brass lamps" and you'll find a load of these.
I recently bought an all-brass oil anchor lamp off eBay, that was new, and similar to the one West Marine sells for $169, for $26. It was shipped from India and took a month to get here. But it looks, and works, great. If interested, search eBay for "brass lamps" and you'll find a load of these.
A Neat Invention
If you notice these days - more and more folks are getting solar powered landscape lighting around their yards that require no wireing at all. I wonder why no one has created an anchor light or boom light solar powered and night-time activated.
If you notice these days - more and more folks are getting solar powered landscape lighting around their yards that require no wireing at all. I wonder why no one has created an anchor light or boom light solar powered and night-time activated.
solar for me
We sail a Cat22. I saw on this forumn the suggestion to use a solar light on the boom at night. We bought one for HD for under $20. Looks like a lantern. Lights up the cockpit with a nice glow. Good lighting.
We sail a Cat22. I saw on this forumn the suggestion to use a solar light on the boom at night. We bought one for HD for under $20. Looks like a lantern. Lights up the cockpit with a nice glow. Good lighting.
Great Ideas
Thanks for the suggestions. I like the solar powered "lawn adapted" solar light the best. That is an outstanding idea! I was always uncomfortable about hanging a fueled lantern from my boom at night as you can imagine. Not much light is required in a protected harbor for other boats to notice you anchored for the evening. Greatly appreciate all the feedback. Bob "Breezin II" Catalina 30
Thanks for the suggestions. I like the solar powered "lawn adapted" solar light the best. That is an outstanding idea! I was always uncomfortable about hanging a fueled lantern from my boom at night as you can imagine. Not much light is required in a protected harbor for other boats to notice you anchored for the evening. Greatly appreciate all the feedback. Bob "Breezin II" Catalina 30
Solar Lights
I own some solar lights for my house and can tell you the illumination is rather dim especially if you are using LED's which are supposed to be brighter. They had a thread going on this topic a little bit ago. Their major concern was the brightness of the light. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
I own some solar lights for my house and can tell you the illumination is rather dim especially if you are using LED's which are supposed to be brighter. They had a thread going on this topic a little bit ago. Their major concern was the brightness of the light. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Solar lights
My lawn ones don't last the entire night even when the day was sunny. They are dim and most likely aren't good enough for coast guard approval. The Davis one looks good, but we need to find out if that fulfills the requirements. I wonder if us Canadians have the same requirements for lights.
My lawn ones don't last the entire night even when the day was sunny. They are dim and most likely aren't good enough for coast guard approval. The Davis one looks good, but we need to find out if that fulfills the requirements. I wonder if us Canadians have the same requirements for lights.
Second the Davis light
I hang one of these from the boom and plug it into the 12 volt outlet I installed on the bottom of the helm nav instrument box. If I am going to be away until after dark, it turns on at dusk and I can find my boat in the anchorage. It is closer to the water and can be seen by the yahoo in a speedboat who doesn't happen to be looking up. On a crossing from the Bahamas my stern light failed (designed too close to the water, causing corrosion) and I simply hung the Davis light over the stern pulpit. An excellent product at a reasonable price. Current draw is a small fraction of the mast head bulb.
I hang one of these from the boom and plug it into the 12 volt outlet I installed on the bottom of the helm nav instrument box. If I am going to be away until after dark, it turns on at dusk and I can find my boat in the anchorage. It is closer to the water and can be seen by the yahoo in a speedboat who doesn't happen to be looking up. On a crossing from the Bahamas my stern light failed (designed too close to the water, causing corrosion) and I simply hung the Davis light over the stern pulpit. An excellent product at a reasonable price. Current draw is a small fraction of the mast head bulb.
I am sure this is a stupid question but
where exactly does the "anchor light" go? Some refer to the white light at the top of the mast as the anchor, some refer to a light at the bow that is supposed to show where your anchor line is and others refer to a light in the cockpit so you can find your boat in an anchorage. I'm confused. Can anyone help me? POTL
where exactly does the "anchor light" go? Some refer to the white light at the top of the mast as the anchor, some refer to a light at the bow that is supposed to show where your anchor line is and others refer to a light in the cockpit so you can find your boat in an anchorage. I'm confused. Can anyone help me? POTL
Anchor Light
The "Anchor Light" is at the top of the mast viewable from 360 degrees. No such thing as a stupid question, just stupid answers!!
The "Anchor Light" is at the top of the mast viewable from 360 degrees. No such thing as a stupid question, just stupid answers!!
Not unless you want one
You can certainly mount one if you want to for what ever reason, but you couldn't use it for an "anchor light" and be legal as it couldn't be seen when approaching the boat from the rear. Any number of lights can be mounted just about any place you want one for what ever purpose. But to be in compliance with regulations as far as a sail boat goes is a white light atop the mast that can be seen 360 degrees while at anchor, red and green running lights at the bow, white running light on the stern, and a white steaming light on the front of the mast while under power only. Any other lights are candy. I would be cautious about running any lights outside of the required lighting while out at night as it could cause confusion to other boaters and really screw up your night vision.
You can certainly mount one if you want to for what ever reason, but you couldn't use it for an "anchor light" and be legal as it couldn't be seen when approaching the boat from the rear. Any number of lights can be mounted just about any place you want one for what ever purpose. But to be in compliance with regulations as far as a sail boat goes is a white light atop the mast that can be seen 360 degrees while at anchor, red and green running lights at the bow, white running light on the stern, and a white steaming light on the front of the mast while under power only. Any other lights are candy. I would be cautious about running any lights outside of the required lighting while out at night as it could cause confusion to other boaters and really screw up your night vision.
Not at top of mast always
It's been a while since my Captain's exam, but I seem to remember that for most recreational boat purposes, an anchor light can be positioned anywhere as long as it is visible from at least 354 degrees. A mast top light is more visible from a great distance, but a lower light is much easier to see in a typical close quarters anchorage. But you don't have to listen to me. After all, I'm the 'idiot' who uses a mast top all-around in lieu of stern/steaming lights...
It's been a while since my Captain's exam, but I seem to remember that for most recreational boat purposes, an anchor light can be positioned anywhere as long as it is visible from at least 354 degrees. A mast top light is more visible from a great distance, but a lower light is much easier to see in a typical close quarters anchorage. But you don't have to listen to me. After all, I'm the 'idiot' who uses a mast top all-around in lieu of stern/steaming lights...
Web site.
This is good information and based on no ones opinion. The attached site is acting up. Go to westmarine.com and enter key words navigation light rules. In addition to written explanation there are very descriptive pictures.
This is good information and based on no ones opinion. The attached site is acting up. Go to westmarine.com and enter key words navigation light rules. In addition to written explanation there are very descriptive pictures.
Thanks guys!
It's all a little clearer to me now.... The reason I was so curious is I found a Guest anchor light on our Hunter 34 when we bought it a year ago and I couldn't figure it out. It has a rubber collar around it with a clear lens. I kept pushing the power switch on, off, on, off...Well, duh (it must be the blonde genes). The light wouldn't turn on unless it was dark because it has a photo cell (light only turns on at night) and I kept trying it in daylight. I even figured out how to change the battery and the lamp (pry off that rubber collar) and I found a new battery for it. After all that trouble, I want to use it somewhere.... POTL
It's all a little clearer to me now.... The reason I was so curious is I found a Guest anchor light on our Hunter 34 when we bought it a year ago and I couldn't figure it out. It has a rubber collar around it with a clear lens. I kept pushing the power switch on, off, on, off...Well, duh (it must be the blonde genes). The light wouldn't turn on unless it was dark because it has a photo cell (light only turns on at night) and I kept trying it in daylight. I even figured out how to change the battery and the lamp (pry off that rubber collar) and I found a new battery for it. After all that trouble, I want to use it somewhere.... POTL
354 degrees...
Or, more precisely, from the Navigation Rules: Annex I 9.b.i: "All-round lights shall be so located as not to be obscured by masts, topmasts or structures within angular sectors of more than 6 degrees, except anchor lights prescribed in Rule 30, which need not be placed at an impracticable height above the hull." That is for international, and I don't believe that they make a change for inland. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Everbody says that an 'all around' must be visible from 360 degrees and I agree that that would be ideal. The rule above takes into consideration that this may not always be practical. The spirit of the rule is such to make your anchor light as visible as is practical to help avoid any incidents.
Or, more precisely, from the Navigation Rules: Annex I 9.b.i: "All-round lights shall be so located as not to be obscured by masts, topmasts or structures within angular sectors of more than 6 degrees, except anchor lights prescribed in Rule 30, which need not be placed at an impracticable height above the hull." That is for international, and I don't believe that they make a change for inland. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Everbody says that an 'all around' must be visible from 360 degrees and I agree that that would be ideal. The rule above takes into consideration that this may not always be practical. The spirit of the rule is such to make your anchor light as visible as is practical to help avoid any incidents.
Old Sailor
Afternoon: Just for the sake of discussion. My USCG Navigation Rules,International/Inland Rules seems to read a little differently than yours. Rule 30 , Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground, (a) A vessel at anchor shall be exhibit where it can be best seen: (i) in the fore part, an all-around white light or one ball. There is no mention of the 6 degrees, nor is there any mention of anything about "need not be placed at an impracticable height above the hull". You or me one possibly has an older version, mine is dated March 1999. We both agree that being able to see the anchor light from 360 Degrees is ideal. The only place that this can be accomplished on a sail boat is to place it at the top of the mast which is exactly why all sail boat manufacturers put them there. There is no place that I'm aware of where a single light can be placed on a sail boat without it being blocked at some point by the mast depending on the approach.
Afternoon: Just for the sake of discussion. My USCG Navigation Rules,International/Inland Rules seems to read a little differently than yours. Rule 30 , Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground, (a) A vessel at anchor shall be exhibit where it can be best seen: (i) in the fore part, an all-around white light or one ball. There is no mention of the 6 degrees, nor is there any mention of anything about "need not be placed at an impracticable height above the hull". You or me one possibly has an older version, mine is dated March 1999. We both agree that being able to see the anchor light from 360 Degrees is ideal. The only place that this can be accomplished on a sail boat is to place it at the top of the mast which is exactly why all sail boat manufacturers put them there. There is no place that I'm aware of where a single light can be placed on a sail boat without it being blocked at some point by the mast depending on the approach.
it's an annex to the rules
The 6 degree referrence is in an annex to the rules that clarifies the attributes of particular nav lights. According to the annex, an all-around light can be partially blocked (6 degrees). And it seems that perhaps it allows an all-around/anchor light to be more blocked than that. Although I see that the rule in the annex could be read differently. It's been awhile since I took the Captain's License course, but I remember a class discussion in which it was agreed that, for an anchor light, the practice of hanging a lantern in the rigging was OK as long as it wasn't blocked too much by being too close to the mast.
The 6 degree referrence is in an annex to the rules that clarifies the attributes of particular nav lights. According to the annex, an all-around light can be partially blocked (6 degrees). And it seems that perhaps it allows an all-around/anchor light to be more blocked than that. Although I see that the rule in the annex could be read differently. It's been awhile since I took the Captain's License course, but I remember a class discussion in which it was agreed that, for an anchor light, the practice of hanging a lantern in the rigging was OK as long as it wasn't blocked too much by being too close to the mast.
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