bow running light replacement

[tlochhaas]

At the end of this year's sailing season I discovered my portside
running light on the bow was missing the outside cover piece with the
color lens. Don't know how this happened--I check the tightness of all
on-deck screws and bolts at least twice every season, but apparently it
worked loose (or was stolen or knocked off). As far as I know this was
the original Vega equipment, mounted (one on each side) high on the bow
pulpit rail. I seriously doubt that the original equipment is available
anywhere, but I thought I'd ask if anyone has had this problem and
successfully adapted a running light fixture that is commercially
available? Thanks.
Tom

 

[theluckyfrogannandaleva]

get a masthead tricolor.. they are fantastic..

dan

 

[imbissfrank]

I agree that Tri-color lights are great, however, they are only legal under sail. If you are motor sailing then you will still need your deck nav lights (to remain legal)
Frank Gallardo, sv Cin Cin V-2184

theluckyfrog@... wrote:

 

[pelagicasd]

Tom, We replaced our bow pulpit. When we did this we mounted a single bulb
fixture with red/green lens on a bracket hanging from the top rail of the
pulpit. We were able to snake some 16G duplex through a hole in the tubing.
It exits the tubing through a hole in the sidedeck under the aft end of the
starboard side of the pulpit. We also replaced the stern light and running
light while we were at it. Used a combination running light/deck light on
the mast. We also went up a size on the required lights. By replacing the
stern light we were able to mount it higher up (on the stern rail). We are a
lot more visible at night than your typical small boat. Costs a few dollars
more but we less likely to be involved in a collision. We too have a
masthead tricolor for when we are sailing, it saves on amps in the battery
bank. Walt

 

[rolyatad]

I encountered the same problem on #712. I think the original lights
are Hella, but no longer available. I replaced all the nav lights
with Aqua Signal series 25.

I first thought to use traditional Perko chrome and glass units at
bow, stern, and mast, but took them back to West Marine when I saw
that changing the bulb involves a handful of loose parts, tiny
screws. This seemed like a problem. I thought that if I really
needed to relamp at sea, it would be dark and maybe rough. I could
picture the difficulty in keeping all the parts of a disassembled
light on board.

I opted for The inexpensive Aqua Signinal because the polycarbonate
cover comes off in one piece without tools, quickly. I had to drill
mounting holes in the plates on the pulpit, but the old holes are
covered. I had to modify the mount of the steaming light a bit.
They installed rather easily, and have worked for six years now. I
think these units are German.

-- In AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com, Tom Lochhaas toml@g... wrote:

 

[tlochhaas]

Thanks, Doug. I see in my Boat US catalog and their web site that the
series 25 has several different configuations--I suppose you used what
they call the "individual side lights" which come without a mounting
bracket? The catalog shows a series 25 rail-mount bracket (that would
not use the existing mounting plate on the bow pulpit rail) and also a
series 25 "deck mount bracket for hanging lights" that also mounts
inverted from the pulpit to mount the side lights. If I understand you,
the existing mounting plate is large enough to work (after drilling)
with the series 25 individual side lights, so no additional bracket is
needed? I guess I'll know for sure if my local store has them in stock
so I can measure them and measure the existing Vega mounting plate.
Thanks again.

"Doug Taylor " wrote:

 

[rolyatad]

I used the basic lights with no mounting bracket, bolted directly to
the pulpit plates. I used stainless sheet metal screws for the stern
and steaming lights.

Doug-- In AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com, Tom Lochhaas toml@g... wrote:

 

[brockhaus77]

Just out of curiosity,

when you replace the masthead light with a tri-color (as several of you
said they did and apparently one of the previous owners of my Vega did,
as well), what do you use for an anchor light? Aren't you in violation
of coast guard rules (in the US) if your anchor light is not all white
and on top of the mast?

- Sebastian

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Sebastian

You can get a tri-colour with an anchor light incorporated in irt. It has two
bulbs and two control wires so that teh tri-colour and anchor light can be
switchged independantly. The other method used in the Uk a lot when you just
have standard tri-colour is to you a parafin lamp hauled up on a halyard. Even
better is to stay in a marina at night then you dont need any lights!!

Kind Reagrds

Steve birch Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703
At 18:49 15/12/02 +0000, you wrote: