How do you light your cockpit at night?
- Thread starter dserrell
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Night lights
David, I agree, the more the merrier for safety, but within reason. We use a backstay mounted oil lamp for an anchor light. Your two lights at deck level may be overkill and even more confusing for other boaters. The anchorages we use regularly are so small that anything up at mast height wouldn't be seen anyway. We swapped out the energy guzzling standard anchor light for a Davis low draw mega light years ago but rarely use it. But if we did, one high and ONE low would seem safer, 'cuz the two at deck level may be more confusing than helpful and someone could try to run between them. Us old timers usually only had ONE deck level anchor light.
The anchor light provides enough light for movement in the cockpit at night. Recently a crew mate asked me to turn it off because it was interfering with his star gazing!
If we need more light, we turn the lights in the aft cabin on and they shine through the two ports into the cockpit foot well.
Where we are it's usually too cold to stay up in the cockpit after dark, so we don't need reading lights. If we did, I'd consider a battery powered stick-on LED light on the dodger frame, a solar light, or would wire something in permanently.
David, I agree, the more the merrier for safety, but within reason. We use a backstay mounted oil lamp for an anchor light. Your two lights at deck level may be overkill and even more confusing for other boaters. The anchorages we use regularly are so small that anything up at mast height wouldn't be seen anyway. We swapped out the energy guzzling standard anchor light for a Davis low draw mega light years ago but rarely use it. But if we did, one high and ONE low would seem safer, 'cuz the two at deck level may be more confusing than helpful and someone could try to run between them. Us old timers usually only had ONE deck level anchor light.
The anchor light provides enough light for movement in the cockpit at night. Recently a crew mate asked me to turn it off because it was interfering with his star gazing!
If we need more light, we turn the lights in the aft cabin on and they shine through the two ports into the cockpit foot well.
Where we are it's usually too cold to stay up in the cockpit after dark, so we don't need reading lights. If we did, I'd consider a battery powered stick-on LED light on the dodger frame, a solar light, or would wire something in permanently.
Lights
Our boat came equipped with incandescent cockpit lights mounted on the SS arch. Works well. We also use a lamp oil brass hanging lamp at times. Do not need much light.
Thread
Our boat came equipped with incandescent cockpit lights mounted on the SS arch. Works well. We also use a lamp oil brass hanging lamp at times. Do not need much light.
Thread
Lighting the cockpit and lighting for compliance with nav rules are exclusive issues which you sound like you are mixing together - which are you talking about as you mention both David?
Strictly for purpose of providing ambient light in the cockpit, I've found the only good way to create wide-area light is using string lights which can be found in either 110VAC or 12VDC varieties and conveniently strung inside the bimini or dodger bows using very little power.
Strictly for purpose of providing ambient light in the cockpit, I've found the only good way to create wide-area light is using string lights which can be found in either 110VAC or 12VDC varieties and conveniently strung inside the bimini or dodger bows using very little power.
- Sep 8, 2009
- 171
Don,
Actually, the lighting of the cockpit! However, along with our LED masthead anchor light, the use of the lantern along with another lantern for additional lighting while anchoring. This may not be according to USCG regulations, but on foggy days on lakes and in coastal waters, I'm concerned with fishermen running their speedy boats to their favorite fishing holes. The may not see an anchor light 25' up in the air, because they may be focused on fish in the water. We do try to anchor out of harms way!
Your idea to have 12VDC lights strung under the bimini is a good idea. We have a 12V socket below the gunnel in the stern for our autopilot to plug into. This 12V socket could be used for lights strung under the bimini. Good idea!
David
I use an parafin oil lamp that I hang from a small chain under the bimini. We also use this same lamp inside the cabin. Provides a nice warm glow and enough light to do most everything except read. Bought this lamp new from eBay and was shipped from India for a total cost of $29. One of the best bargains I ever had for the boat....
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Absent a hard top or bimini, mount a small 12v light permanently to the underside of the boom. On an open boat I sold this spring (Stiletto 27) I mounted a small utillity light purchased from Advanced Autoparts (I'm sure you could find something nice and marine, but I liked the shape of this one). I shaped a piece of starboard to match the curve of the mast (passed over a table saw blade at an angle), sawed and sanded it to match the base of the light, and mounted it to the boom with screws and 5200. The wires run inside the boom to the mast, are exposed for a few inches, and then run down the mast. It is on the cabin light circuit, but has its own switch on the side of the fixture. VERY handy. It looked like a factory install when finished.
You won't be able to imagine a cockpit without instant light. Would you buy a car without a dome light?
You won't be able to imagine a cockpit without instant light. Would you buy a car without a dome light?
for my anchor light non my formosa i have a beautiful old oil lamp-
--i found some cheepo garden lights --solar powered---from an outlet that takes in returns from costco--so these are 4-6 dollars each--lol--excellent light and cheeep and i can use many --as many as i want...for use as lights at anchor....even indoors after charging them in the sun all day!!!!
i love my oil light for anchor--has fresnel lens and is visible for over 3 miles---is approved for use as anchor lamp, btw......
--i found some cheepo garden lights --solar powered---from an outlet that takes in returns from costco--so these are 4-6 dollars each--lol--excellent light and cheeep and i can use many --as many as i want...for use as lights at anchor....even indoors after charging them in the sun all day!!!!
i love my oil light for anchor--has fresnel lens and is visible for over 3 miles---is approved for use as anchor lamp, btw......
Re: Cockpit lighting
I just use a kerosene lantern both for my anchor light and my cockpit light when I want it. The CG does not specify the type of light just the range of visibility and a 1/2 inch wick meets the needs.
I just use a kerosene lantern both for my anchor light and my cockpit light when I want it. The CG does not specify the type of light just the range of visibility and a 1/2 inch wick meets the needs.
Davis...
makes a handy low wattage lamp with a fresnel lens and a cigarette plug connector that can be used as an anchor light. I slip a notched plastic cup over it and hang it from a bimini crossbar for a neat cockpit downlight. Also have LED utility lights in the cockpit footwell for safe footing at night when docked (too bright to sail with).
makes a handy low wattage lamp with a fresnel lens and a cigarette plug connector that can be used as an anchor light. I slip a notched plastic cup over it and hang it from a bimini crossbar for a neat cockpit downlight. Also have LED utility lights in the cockpit footwell for safe footing at night when docked (too bright to sail with).
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