mast head light???

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Dec 3, 2003
2,101
Hunter Legend 37 Portsmouth, RI
I Replaced Mine...

...last year and bought a Perko 3W online from a Canadian outfit. I replaced a 2W fixture that was there, but weathered.
 
Dec 3, 2003
2,101
Hunter Legend 37 Portsmouth, RI
I Replaced Mine...

...last year and bought a Perko 3W online from a Canadian outfit. I replaced a 2W fixture that was there, but weathered.
 
Nov 28, 2004
209
Hunter 310 San Pedro
Sail boat steeming light

Just to clarify a couple of things. "Nice N Easy" stated that the steaming light is 180 degrees. It is properly 225 degrees to compliment both your red / green bow lights, also 225 degrees, and your stern light at 135 degrees. this provides 360 degrees of visibility and the ability to determine approximate relative heading of an approaching vessel at night. Dennis W. S/V FullSailed
 
Nov 28, 2004
209
Hunter 310 San Pedro
Sail boat steeming light

Just to clarify a couple of things. "Nice N Easy" stated that the steaming light is 180 degrees. It is properly 225 degrees to compliment both your red / green bow lights, also 225 degrees, and your stern light at 135 degrees. this provides 360 degrees of visibility and the ability to determine approximate relative heading of an approaching vessel at night. Dennis W. S/V FullSailed
 
S

Scott

Simple mast refit ...

Put a 360 d "all around" anchor light at the top of your mast. Get a combination steamer and deck light to put just above the spreaders. I would think that you already have a hole for the steamer light wires. Use a 3/4" or 1" plastic conduit to run your wires. I used boat cable with 2 wires for the anchor light (+ and -) and boat cable with 3 wires for the combination. This requires 2 positives and a common negative. At the bottom of the mast I joined the 2 negatives together and used a 4-prong plug to connect the 3 positives and one common ground. You will want to use a 4-prong plug becasue they are readily available. I used 16 guage for the anchor light and 14 guage for the combination because the deck light is 20 watt (if I remember correctly - the anchor and steamer lights are less wattage, I think 10)and figure on a larger ground because it is common for the deck light and steamer. I used a 12 guage ground wire in the boat from the 4-prong plug back to the buss at the terminal because it is common for all three lights (that might be overkill but I don't care since it is a single wire and inside the boat. I used the wires that were already inside the boat for the anchor and steamer. I had to feed a new single wire positive for the new deck light and I used 14 guage for that. If you don't have a separate steamer, you may have to feed a positive lead inside the boat for that as well. Read up on the wiring requirements. Getting a book on boat electrics is a good investment. While you are at it, you should replace your VHF cable or add one for a masthead antennae. Also, install a new wind instrument if you don't already have one. Before I did the mast refit, I had a broken wind instrument. I had to look at the top of the mast to read the indicator which was a real problem with the bimini and if my wife was at the helm ... well forget it ... Because winds are so inconsistant on our lake, we have a tendancy to set our sails and steer for the optimal wind angle; otherwise, constantly adjusting the sails is a major nuisance. Now, when my wife or anybody else is at the helm, I set the sails and tell them to keep an eye on the wind instrument at the bulkhead and try to keep the needle on a desired angle. Our course adjusts as needed; but we're lake sailing and keeping a consistant heading isn't important. I love having the wind instrument and wouldn't consider going without it now. There's lots of interesting discussion about the anchor lights, but if you are like me, the anchor light simply isn't important, but I need a steamer for operating at night under power and the deck light was a nice addition. Like N&E said, the steamer is customarily about half way up the mast and facing forward but I think the technical requirement is that it is 225 d (they give it a number "points" if you read the specifications). If you are a lake sailor like we are, you may have the same needs.
 
S

Scott

Simple mast refit ...

Put a 360 d "all around" anchor light at the top of your mast. Get a combination steamer and deck light to put just above the spreaders. I would think that you already have a hole for the steamer light wires. Use a 3/4" or 1" plastic conduit to run your wires. I used boat cable with 2 wires for the anchor light (+ and -) and boat cable with 3 wires for the combination. This requires 2 positives and a common negative. At the bottom of the mast I joined the 2 negatives together and used a 4-prong plug to connect the 3 positives and one common ground. You will want to use a 4-prong plug becasue they are readily available. I used 16 guage for the anchor light and 14 guage for the combination because the deck light is 20 watt (if I remember correctly - the anchor and steamer lights are less wattage, I think 10)and figure on a larger ground because it is common for the deck light and steamer. I used a 12 guage ground wire in the boat from the 4-prong plug back to the buss at the terminal because it is common for all three lights (that might be overkill but I don't care since it is a single wire and inside the boat. I used the wires that were already inside the boat for the anchor and steamer. I had to feed a new single wire positive for the new deck light and I used 14 guage for that. If you don't have a separate steamer, you may have to feed a positive lead inside the boat for that as well. Read up on the wiring requirements. Getting a book on boat electrics is a good investment. While you are at it, you should replace your VHF cable or add one for a masthead antennae. Also, install a new wind instrument if you don't already have one. Before I did the mast refit, I had a broken wind instrument. I had to look at the top of the mast to read the indicator which was a real problem with the bimini and if my wife was at the helm ... well forget it ... Because winds are so inconsistant on our lake, we have a tendancy to set our sails and steer for the optimal wind angle; otherwise, constantly adjusting the sails is a major nuisance. Now, when my wife or anybody else is at the helm, I set the sails and tell them to keep an eye on the wind instrument at the bulkhead and try to keep the needle on a desired angle. Our course adjusts as needed; but we're lake sailing and keeping a consistant heading isn't important. I love having the wind instrument and wouldn't consider going without it now. There's lots of interesting discussion about the anchor lights, but if you are like me, the anchor light simply isn't important, but I need a steamer for operating at night under power and the deck light was a nice addition. Like N&E said, the steamer is customarily about half way up the mast and facing forward but I think the technical requirement is that it is 225 d (they give it a number "points" if you read the specifications). If you are a lake sailor like we are, you may have the same needs.
 

Mike B

.
Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
Low hanging lights

Just a comment on those that hang an anchor light low in the rigging. Have you considered that it could be mistaken for an aft running light? There are a number of power boats that sit quite high and differentiating between the two could cause some problems. I'd be concerned, on a dark night, someone could run up on me thinking I was underway. Additonally when I make a night time approach to an anchorage I'm looking both high and low for anchor lights. I pick out the power from the sail boats by the height of the lights and then make sure no one else is cruising the area for a spot to drop the hook. In a crowded cove it's nice to be able to know the difference. As for the masthead anchor lights, when I see one lit I'm pretty darned sure they're on the hook. I've also never mistaken one for a star either. There's still a number of differences between the two that a quick look won't confirm. Just my 2 cents. Mike
 

Mike B

.
Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
Low hanging lights

Just a comment on those that hang an anchor light low in the rigging. Have you considered that it could be mistaken for an aft running light? There are a number of power boats that sit quite high and differentiating between the two could cause some problems. I'd be concerned, on a dark night, someone could run up on me thinking I was underway. Additonally when I make a night time approach to an anchorage I'm looking both high and low for anchor lights. I pick out the power from the sail boats by the height of the lights and then make sure no one else is cruising the area for a spot to drop the hook. In a crowded cove it's nice to be able to know the difference. As for the masthead anchor lights, when I see one lit I'm pretty darned sure they're on the hook. I've also never mistaken one for a star either. There's still a number of differences between the two that a quick look won't confirm. Just my 2 cents. Mike
 

Ross

.
Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Mike, I know that you are familar with the location

that little bight just north of marker #10 on the Sassafras River. Nancy and I anchor there quite often and it is very dark. One night from our perspective there was a star just above the trees to our west. After about half an hour when it hadn't set I realized that it was a mast head light. I have pretty good night vision but I was not able that night to discern a boat beneath the light. They were only about 200 yards away. Edit to add: Mike if they mistake my anchor light for a stern light in that anchorage , they will run aground very soon after.
 

Ross

.
Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Mike, I know that you are familar with the location

that little bight just north of marker #10 on the Sassafras River. Nancy and I anchor there quite often and it is very dark. One night from our perspective there was a star just above the trees to our west. After about half an hour when it hadn't set I realized that it was a mast head light. I have pretty good night vision but I was not able that night to discern a boat beneath the light. They were only about 200 yards away. Edit to add: Mike if they mistake my anchor light for a stern light in that anchorage , they will run aground very soon after.
 
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
Main Sail

Pretty neat application for having so much stuff there. Is the radar mast a two piece, and possibly adjustable. Looks like a junction in it just above the stern light. Nice Job.
 
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
Main Sail

Pretty neat application for having so much stuff there. Is the radar mast a two piece, and possibly adjustable. Looks like a junction in it just above the stern light. Nice Job.
 

Mike B

.
Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
Second look

Ross given the physical nature of most the anchorages on the northern bay I find it fairly easy to tell the difference. As my eyes adjust to the conditions I do a series of sweeps of the area. It doesn't take much to pick out the boats from the stars. If the other boat is so far away that I couldn't tell then I won't care either as he'll be well away from me. As far as running aground shortly after seeing your light. I hope you're not between him and that grounding if it ever occurs. As for places to anchor on the Sassafras you should try Back Creek across from RN8. Just come in on the NW side and watch your water depths. If your draft is shallow enough you can get all the way in the back for a very quiet night. Another spot is inside the No Wake zone on the SE side. It gets crowded in a summer weekend but otherwise a nice spot. It's a sandy bottom so set the hook accordingly. Think Spring! Mike
 

Mike B

.
Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
Second look

Ross given the physical nature of most the anchorages on the northern bay I find it fairly easy to tell the difference. As my eyes adjust to the conditions I do a series of sweeps of the area. It doesn't take much to pick out the boats from the stars. If the other boat is so far away that I couldn't tell then I won't care either as he'll be well away from me. As far as running aground shortly after seeing your light. I hope you're not between him and that grounding if it ever occurs. As for places to anchor on the Sassafras you should try Back Creek across from RN8. Just come in on the NW side and watch your water depths. If your draft is shallow enough you can get all the way in the back for a very quiet night. Another spot is inside the No Wake zone on the SE side. It gets crowded in a summer weekend but otherwise a nice spot. It's a sandy bottom so set the hook accordingly. Think Spring! Mike
 
May 5, 2006
1,140
Knutson K-35 Yawl Bellingham
Hmm, Oh Joy has the normal red/green wing lights,

the white stern light, a masthead tricolor and a 360* white masthead steaming light.
 
May 5, 2006
1,140
Knutson K-35 Yawl Bellingham
Hmm, Oh Joy has the normal red/green wing lights,

the white stern light, a masthead tricolor and a 360* white masthead steaming light.
 
Apr 4, 2004
78
Catalina 30 Ladysmith
CharlieCobra/Oh Joy

Referencing the ColRegs, under sail you can use either the Tri-lite or the reg/green wing lites with the white stern light, but not both systems at once. If motoring while using the tri-lite, it must be augmented with a forward facing white lite covering only 225 degrees. If motoring with the red/green wing lights, the white stern light must be augmented with a 225 degree forward facing white steaming lite or, turn off the stern lite and use the 360 degree white light. I strongly suspect your 360 degree white light was meant to fill the function of an anchor lite and that perhaps your tri-lite is a backup to the more standard wing lite setup. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of having a tri-lite as a backup to the main system. EG
 
Apr 4, 2004
78
Catalina 30 Ladysmith
CharlieCobra/Oh Joy

Referencing the ColRegs, under sail you can use either the Tri-lite or the reg/green wing lites with the white stern light, but not both systems at once. If motoring while using the tri-lite, it must be augmented with a forward facing white lite covering only 225 degrees. If motoring with the red/green wing lights, the white stern light must be augmented with a 225 degree forward facing white steaming lite or, turn off the stern lite and use the 360 degree white light. I strongly suspect your 360 degree white light was meant to fill the function of an anchor lite and that perhaps your tri-lite is a backup to the more standard wing lite setup. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of having a tri-lite as a backup to the main system. EG
 
Sep 19, 2006
643
SCHOCK santana27' lake pleasant,az
it originaly came with a perko 180deg

and 2 wires badly corroded so i cleaned the fixture and ran 4 wires to the masthead for possible expansion like spreader lights and a steaming light but if sailing at night do you need a steaming light?? mind you my 3hp motor is for emergency use only
 
Sep 19, 2006
643
SCHOCK santana27' lake pleasant,az
it originaly came with a perko 180deg

and 2 wires badly corroded so i cleaned the fixture and ran 4 wires to the masthead for possible expansion like spreader lights and a steaming light but if sailing at night do you need a steaming light?? mind you my 3hp motor is for emergency use only
 
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