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Solar
I have a solar powered lamp that I bought at Home Depot. It has a Trawler Style design making it somewhat nautical in appearance and it has the newer bright white bulb as opposed the old yellow ones. Works great, just haul it up for the night.
I have a solar powered lamp that I bought at Home Depot. It has a Trawler Style design making it somewhat nautical in appearance and it has the newer bright white bulb as opposed the old yellow ones. Works great, just haul it up for the night.
Solar from Home Depot legal???
The units I have seen at Home Depot are not visable for the legal distance that is required by the coast guard for an anchor light. They are pretty all right, and don't seem to attract too many bugs, but not enough light intensity. Cheers,
The units I have seen at Home Depot are not visable for the legal distance that is required by the coast guard for an anchor light. They are pretty all right, and don't seem to attract too many bugs, but not enough light intensity. Cheers,
Legal
I'm curious. How do you know the solar light from Home Depot does not meet the legal distance requirements? What is the legal requirement and what is the specification for the light. I am sure that you could see such a light for several miles. I guess I might be less sure that it would burn all night.
I'm curious. How do you know the solar light from Home Depot does not meet the legal distance requirements? What is the legal requirement and what is the specification for the light. I am sure that you could see such a light for several miles. I guess I might be less sure that it would burn all night.
USCG rules
The USCG rules say: "When anchored outside of a special anchorage, power and sail vessels under 20 meters [65.62 feet] need to display an all-round light. Vessels under 7 meters [22.97 feet] are exempt, unless anchored in a narrow channel or anchorage, or where other vessels usually navigate." "All-round lights are white and shine through 360 degrees." "Visibility Range - 2nm " (as per the West Marine Catalog's West Advisor) There's probably a USCG site somewhere, but I remembered seeing this when shopping last week. I just copied it out of the catalog.
The USCG rules say: "When anchored outside of a special anchorage, power and sail vessels under 20 meters [65.62 feet] need to display an all-round light. Vessels under 7 meters [22.97 feet] are exempt, unless anchored in a narrow channel or anchorage, or where other vessels usually navigate." "All-round lights are white and shine through 360 degrees." "Visibility Range - 2nm " (as per the West Marine Catalog's West Advisor) There's probably a USCG site somewhere, but I remembered seeing this when shopping last week. I just copied it out of the catalog.
Probably Legal
I would bet that those home depot lights are visibile for at least 2nm. Almost anything is visible for that distance. Of course the CG might have other objections such as reliability, etc. This sounds like something I would try.
I would bet that those home depot lights are visibile for at least 2nm. Almost anything is visible for that distance. Of course the CG might have other objections such as reliability, etc. This sounds like something I would try.
"all-round" visibility
It's the "all-round" visibility that is questionable, in my mind, if the anchor light is not mounted on top of the mast. I have a friend who has been in the same anchorage as me for a few months who solved this problem by hanging 2 solar/battery landscape lights, one from the front stay and one from the back stay. We are anchored right next to where the local Coast Guard cutter is berthed. They come in and out at in the middle of the night sometimes and have never said anything to him about not having proper anchor lights. His lights are always still burning brightly when I get up just before daybreak.
It's the "all-round" visibility that is questionable, in my mind, if the anchor light is not mounted on top of the mast. I have a friend who has been in the same anchorage as me for a few months who solved this problem by hanging 2 solar/battery landscape lights, one from the front stay and one from the back stay. We are anchored right next to where the local Coast Guard cutter is berthed. They come in and out at in the middle of the night sometimes and have never said anything to him about not having proper anchor lights. His lights are always still burning brightly when I get up just before daybreak.
Agree
I agree with the all around visibility part, although I have seen some anchor lights that probably do not meet that requirement.
I agree with the all around visibility part, although I have seen some anchor lights that probably do not meet that requirement.
Many of the Approved, Certified, and Legal Lights
On boats right now are probably not visible at the distance it was designed for. Check yours is it sratched crazed and dull looking? Replacement lenses are available and fairly cheap. Next time your mast is down or you are up instead of just replacing the bulb think about the lens as well.
On boats right now are probably not visible at the distance it was designed for. Check yours is it sratched crazed and dull looking? Replacement lenses are available and fairly cheap. Next time your mast is down or you are up instead of just replacing the bulb think about the lens as well.
We all want to be seen, but lets remember the rule
s,
we don't need a light in a chart recognized anchorage.
s,
we don't need a light in a chart recognized anchorage.keep it dry if you use the solar.
They are not very protected for use around the water i tried one laste a month, I think i will try to waterproof the next one. I like the low light, small boats dont look up very much!
They are not very protected for use around the water i tried one laste a month, I think i will try to waterproof the next one. I like the low light, small boats dont look up very much!
Light intensity ...
For you techno types, the "legal" specifications are explained in the addendum to the Nav Rules. Of course we all have the equipment to measure lumens, spectrums and bandwith There is also mention of non-electric lights I feel that if you can see it from a "good" distance, it should be alright. Have fun, be safe, Marc
For you techno types, the "legal" specifications are explained in the addendum to the Nav Rules. Of course we all have the equipment to measure lumens, spectrums and bandwith
There is also mention of non-electric lights I feel that if you can see it from a "good" distance, it should be alright. Have fun, be safe, Marc- Status