LED Lights

[nitepilot]

I want to put up some LED lights for the fourth while my O'Day 20 is at the dock. Anyone ever done this and is there an easy way to get the lights up to the top of the mast. My idea was to string 3 lights togeather and run the middle one up the main mast and tie off the other ends to the pulpit and back stay
Thanks

 

[Kermit]

That's what I did for Memorial Day. I used the main halyard to hoist the lights to the top of the mast. What took me forever to figure out is to run the halyard and lights outside the shrouds. It must have been comical watching me struggling to get the lights over the spreaders going up and then back down again. Once we figured out the solution it was easy. I also tied a (thinnish) line to the halyard just in case the light strands came apart. That way I'd be able to pull the halyard down. It was not an issue, though.

Next time I plan to put the halyard in the middle of the white strand. Should look more symmetrical.

Good luck and don't forget to take pictures!

 

[Brian S]

So, you guys used A/C power to do your LED lights...

I would like to do a bunch of battery powered lights, but I'm too lazy to try and find them on line, or figure out how to convert commonly available A/C to 12v DC...

For our Memorial Day flag parade, I ran 2 strings of pennants using the main halyard. One went fore/aft, the other port/starboard. I test hoisted them individually to find the mid-point, and tied and overhand knot so I knew where to put the halyard. And then adjusted the length to tie off. And, figures that the day I did this it was quite breezy, and the day of the parade was plenty breezy as well.

Brian

 

[Kermit]

Brian,

I plugged an inverter into the cigarette lighter and then ran an extension cord to the lights. We motored out for our own one-boat parade. Several motor boaters cruised by us with compliments. Even had folks on shore give us nice shout-outs. Then had emails from people asking us to let them know when we plan to do it again. Well worth the trouble. Now if I can just convince the First Mate to sail down to the fireworks on the 4th...