Installing a masthead anchor light

[CloudDiver]

Great product, I had looked at this some time ago when designing my new electrical plan. $250 is the best price I can find. If it was a bit cheaper, say $150 it would be a no brainer. But for a boat my size, same as the OP of this thread, not worth the extra expense, especially if you already have a working fwd bi-color and stern light.
On the other hand, in all fairness, because of the stage I am at with my restoration, I could still do this unit. I have all the NAV lights uninstalled and the deck holes are epoxy filled/faired but decks not yet painted. The mast wiring is almost set up but the deck fitting would remain the same regardless. The internal wires leading to the fwd bicolor light could be re-purposed for a light or fan in the V-Berth, and the wires for the stern light re-purposed for the auto-tiller power...

Dang it Jackdraw!

"We need a bigger boat!"

Not just an idea, but an actual product.

http://www.nasamarine.com/proddetail.php?prod=SupernovaCombi

 

[Brian S]

If you have a cigarette lighter socket somewhere, this is an effective anchor light, hung about 1/3 of the way up above the deck by the main halyard. https://store.marinebeam.com/utility-led-anchor-light-with-dusk-to-dawn-photocell-sensor/

As pointed out, a masthead light is often too high to alert boaters, especially power boaters, who are only scanning the water's surface...

COLREGS say 360º white visible at 1NM. I've been told a kerosene lantern meets that spec.

 

[Jackdaw]

If you have a cigarette lighter socket somewhere, this is an effective anchor light, hung about 1/3 of the way up above the deck by the main halyard. https://store.marinebeam.com/utility-led-anchor-light-with-dusk-to-dawn-photocell-sensor/

As pointed out, a masthead light is often too high to alert boaters, especially power boaters, who are only scanning the water's surface...

COLREGS say 360º white visible at 1NM. I've been told a kerosene lantern meets that spec.

Very true.

But the person that recommends this has never done it and woken up with millions of dead bugs littering the deck. The lower light attracts more bugs, and for some unknown reason many die and fall to the deck. Maybe the same number die at 40 feet and blow/drift away. I don't know. I'm guessing that many of the bugs hug the water and don't venture that high. I do know every time I've had to do this is was a mess.

Mast top light? Never a problem.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

This may be unrelated but I've read the comments about tri-color lights at the top of the mast - pros & cons. I can see where a masthead tri-color could be a good choice where cruise ships & commercial shipping is a concern ... say the lower Hudson River or Raritan Bay.

Does anybody mount deck level nav lights & a masthead tri-color and switch between the 2 choices depending upon location?

 

[chuckwayne]

yes - came standard on our 356 from Hunter. We use the masthead tri when we're in open water and/or the shipping channels as you suggested, and the deck level the rest of the time - the masthead is usually up in the fog here in Maine (just kidding) so wouldn't be seen down low

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Very true.

But the person that recommends this has never done it and woken up with millions of dead bugs littering the deck. The lower light attracts more bugs, and for some unknown reason many die and fall to the deck. Maybe the same number die at 40 feet and blow/drift away. I don't know. I'm guessing that many of the bugs hug the water and don't venture that high. I do know every time I've had to do this is was a mess.

Mast top light? Never a problem.

You mean like this? no big deal- they brush right off. I'd rather deal with this than chance getting clobbered by a guy in a skiff who was NOT looking up.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

"COLREGS say 360º white visible at 1NM. I've been told a kerosene lantern meets that spec."


Used to use a kero light. Pain in the rear. Have ton carry LOTS of fuel- gallons on a prolonged cruise, as in weeks and months

I now use an LED light- MUCH simpler, and much brighter

 

[Jackdaw]

You mean like this? no big deal- they brush right off. I'd rather deal with this than chance getting clobbered by a guy in a skiff who was NOT looking up.

Your boat, your choice.

But I've never heard of a case where a sailboat was hit at anchor, and certainly not where the hitter claimed they could not see the mast-mounted anchor light. At approaching distances the actual angle between the deck height and mast height is actually quite small. You don't have to look up to see it.

 

[Lodi47]

You guys are making great points and thanks for the pictures.

 

[Doc_holiday]

Depending on your boat's length, you need a 360 degree white but your steaming light and stern light will be sufficient provided your red/green running lights aren't on.

On another note, I'm under the impression from a friends experent that LED's attract less bugs. Now this may only apply when on an AC circuit but I don't know.

 

[Brian S]

On another note, I'm under the impression from a friends experent that LED's attract less bugs. Now this may only apply when on an AC circuit but I don't know.

Ooooo, this may be true! I think I heard this also, because the LED doesn't emit as wide a range of light frequency. It wouldn't be dependent on AC or DC, because even an AC LED bulb (like in your house) transforms to DC to run the diode.

 

[Capt jgw]

As Jackdaw did, anchor lights at the mast top are not necessary. 6-10 feet above water is fine and more visible to boats up close. The mast top light is visible from farther away, but the guy far away is not going to hit you. I have a mast top anchor light, but usually use a 360 deg led trouble light that plugs into a cigarette lighter plug I have in the cockpit. That plug also runs my spotlight. The anchor light hangs over the cockpit and lights that area up nicely too.

 

[Doc_holiday]

Ooooo, this may be true! I think I heard this also, because the LED doesn't emit as wide a range of light frequency. It wouldn't be dependent on AC or DC, because even an AC LED bulb (like in your house) transforms to DC to run the diode.

We used to jam on Friday nights at his house and took our breaks on his back deck. Bugs of course galore until he replaced his porch bulb with an LED when the bulb died. Dang it if the bugs didn't seem to swarm near as much. That's when it dawned on us that LED's may not attract as many.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

The pic I posted earlier of all the moths on the solar panel was under a Bebi LED anchor light

 

[Ron20324]

.... LED's attract less bugs. Now this may only apply when on an AC circuit but I don't know.

Not to nention that LEDs do not put out the heat that draws many bugs.

 

[Lodi47]

I like that cigarette idea

 

[cbourne200]

Don't you have trouble with cig adapter losing contact? I have little faith in them unless in a highly confined moisture free environment