LED Bow Lights

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Apr 29, 2012
233
Macgregor Venture 25 Council Bluffs, IA

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Feb 20, 2011
8,048
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
I like 'em. Except for that filling of the hole in the deck part...
 
Apr 29, 2012
233
Macgregor Venture 25 Council Bluffs, IA
I have some work to do up there anyway. And the OEM is bad and in the way anyway. I've seen a couple boats in the forum that have this type lights, but I don't know anything about them.

The picture of these don't make them look as smooth as they could be. I'm thinking they could have more of a teardrop shape.
 
Sep 5, 2007
689
MacGregor 26X Rochester
Technically, they're side lights, as is the orignal single unit. There's no requirement that they actually be on the bow, and on big and really big boats, they rarely are.

I mention that not to be pendantic, but to highlight that you can put them on the side where it best suits the boat and the ability to hide the wiring, including on the cabin sides if that's the most convenient.

The downside, if you want to call it that, is that they're probably made to be mounted with the vertical mounting surface parallel to the centerline of the boat, not angled toward each other like they would be if you just stuck them on the hull way up front. Tapered wedge shims should be used to keep their sweep angle of 112.5 degrees back from dead ahead (each side) intact if you mount them way up front. If they're not mounted as they're supposed to be, there will be a wedge of dead angle where neither the side light nor the stern light will be visible to other boats, and that's not good. One is supposed to take over where the other leaves off.

The red and green only need 1 mile of visibility, and the masthead (steaming) and stern white lights need 2 miles. The light you posted is good for 20 meter boats, which means it's got 2 mile visibility. You could, if you wanted to, use one with 1 mile visibility, good for up to 12 meter boats, but there's no reason you couldn't use what you posted, as those are only minimums.
 
Apr 29, 2012
233
Macgregor Venture 25 Council Bluffs, IA
The sweep angle is one of the concerns I have with these. Tapered shims don't sound like a very durable solution. Maybe I should keep looking for a better pair.
 
Nov 23, 2011
2,023
MacGregor 26D London Ontario Canada
I just got LED's that fit right into the old fixtures. Much brighter! (like 100 times brighter!)
From Ebay of course.
 
Sep 5, 2007
689
MacGregor 26X Rochester
If they're approved, they have the proper sweep angle of 112.5 deg., but you just want to be careful about the backs being parallel to the centerline of the boat. A piece of Starboard or other suitable material would be shaped to make a permanent wedge, if needed, or mount them further back on the cabin sides where it's relatively parallel and vertical.
 
Sep 30, 2012
224
macgregor 26s 1993 cranbrook bc
I just got LED's that fit right into the old fixtures. Much brighter! (like 100 times brighter!)
From Ebay of course.
Just what I was looking for. Just by chance do you have the name of manufacture or how you searched for them on ebay? I would have to assume led lights for a macgregor wouldn't be very successful.

It sure would be nice not to have to modify the original lights.

Dave
 
Sep 25, 2008
961
Macgregor & Island Packet VENTURE 25 & IP-38 NORTH EAST, MD
I got these units on Ebay (from a seller in Australia). Easy, one screw attachment, fully sealed. Will probably outlast the boat! They are made for bow mounting as they are angled out (no shimming needed).


 
Apr 29, 2012
233
Macgregor Venture 25 Council Bluffs, IA
Yours are some that I first noticed Cuscus. Just what I want, if only they were stainless. But that is not a deal breaker to me. They give the proper lighting angle as mounted?

I also like how you did your forestay. I might copy that also. Would give me a bit more length for my furller without shortening the forestay.
 
Sep 25, 2008
961
Macgregor & Island Packet VENTURE 25 & IP-38 NORTH EAST, MD
Ron, I never checked the exact angle. But I can tell you that another boat can see my lights a whole lot better than a boat with that crappy deck mounted light or one on the pulpit. And they are very BRIGHT, almost like having colored driving lights up front.
I never liked the original forestay setup, or the fact there was a "hole" in the deck for it to go through (water leaks). Reshaping the edge of the bow was the hardest part, but even that wasn't too difficult. It also doesn't get in the way of your ground tackle.
 
Apr 29, 2012
233
Macgregor Venture 25 Council Bluffs, IA
I like that! I have spent a bit of time looking at your photos, time to take another look. Thanks for the pointers.

You must have known that I was going to ask about the anchor setup with the forestay positioned like you have it.
 
Aug 16, 2009
1,000
Hunter 1986 H31 California Yacht Marina, Chula Vista, CA
Anyone happen to know the bulb size used in the 83-87 Hunters? I can check this weekend when I'm at the boat, but wanted to order the bulbs now.
 
Sep 25, 2008
961
Macgregor & Island Packet VENTURE 25 & IP-38 NORTH EAST, MD
Ron, this picture shows the tack shackle for the headsail mounted on the anchor roller. The cunniingham for the headsail is the small line with the hook on it, it goes through the block that is attached to the eye strap on the deck. I can also use that eye strap for the tack shackle, if I don't use the cunningham.
 
Aug 22, 2011
1,113
MacGregor Venture V224 Cheeseland
I like that! I have spent a bit of time looking at your photos, time to take another look. Thanks for the pointers.

You must have known that I was going to ask about the anchor setup with the forestay positioned like you have it.


You are not the only one that studies his photos with keen interest.
 
Nov 23, 2011
2,023
MacGregor 26D London Ontario Canada
Just what I was looking for. Just by chance do you have the name of manufacture or how you searched for them on ebay? I would have to assume led lights for a macgregor wouldn't be very successful.

It sure would be nice not to have to modify the original lights.

Dave
I'm not sure what the lights look like on the 25. But the light on my 26D just takes an automotive interior bulb. The long one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Festoon-37m...ssories_Gear&hash=item19d40fc36d&vxp=mtrlink;

My bow lights are mounted on the bow pulpit. Not the hull. (see pics)
There is a pic of my truck interior light too. Just for comparison. guess what side the LED s on...
 

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Sep 30, 2012
224
macgregor 26s 1993 cranbrook bc
To add another option, these work very well on our 26S. 12 watts total and bright beyond belief. Meets angle requirements (in conjunction with fixture).

Details here: http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/macgregor/index.cgi?read=48414,led,nav

Chris
Those look quite neat.....I followed the thread through and noiticed a discussion about current regulation....Again obviously with my electrical questions my electrical knowledge is very limited. Did you modify the leds in some way to reduce the current. Is there a regulator you added to the wiring. Can I just copy ( my favorite thing to do, but does nothing for my understanding) what you did and plunk them into the exsisting light fixture without modification....what will happen. My biggest fear is turning my family into roasted weiners....hence all my questions about fuses and wire sizes. A little bit of knowledge can be very dangerous.

Dave
 
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