Mast Light Ideas - 32-foot sailboat

L

LadyODay322

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Dec 6, 2022
1
O'Day 322 San Pedro
Hello! New here, and fairly new boat owners. During a recent overhaul of our mast system, we accidentally cut the wires to the mast light.

My question: Does anyone know of a mast light that is coast guard approved for anchoring overnight that is battery powered with remote control? Or does anyone have an idea of how to jury rig a lighting system until we have the time/money to take the boat back to the yard and fix the wiring situation?

I've thought of putting some type of light in a jar and pulling it up with the halyard...so I am open to similar DIY ideas! Thanks in advance!
 
heritage

heritage

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Apr 22, 2011
930
Hunter 27 Pecan Grove, Oriental, NC
This is the one that I use. It does attract a lot of bugs so make sure you hang it up as high as possible, but away from the mast which can block the light.

store.marinebeam.com

Utility LED Anchor Light w/ Dusk to Dawn Photocell

Shop Marinebeam for LED replacement bulbs or LED fixtures for the cabin, cockpit, and deck of your boat. LED boat lights ready for the sea!
store.marinebeam.com store.marinebeam.com
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,848
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I found this on the Internet of all things. Granted maybe a little old school.

but ain’t she pretty!



LIGHT ANCHOR KEROSENE BRASS & COPPER


LIGHT ANCHOR KEROSENE BRASS & COPPER

Authentic Models Kerosene Anchor Lamp, Brass and Copper, 7.5"D x 7.5"W x 12"H. Ships at anchor signal their position with the classic anchor lamp. They typically have a 360 deg. light radius and must be visible from 2-3 miles. This exceptionally heavy quality reproduction is made in copper with many solid cast brass details.
 
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rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,553
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
That is puuurdy. But I would gut it and put a bright LED inside if I were using it on my boat. I don't want open flames if I can avoid it.
 
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Hollyberry

Hollyberry

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Sep 24, 2021
386
Beneteau 35s5 Telegraph hrbr Thetis Island
Recent observations in anchorages at dusk or in the dark has led me to believe that masthead anchor lights are less than effective, a good deck-level light of some sort is a better idea. Power cruisers, esp, don't 'look up' when navigating crowded spaces. This past summer we 'heard' (from a half mile away) a nasty collision at dusk.. the next morning got the story. Stanchions caved in all down one side, the offender claimed there was no anchor light on but in fact the masthead was.. (60 ft power cruiser vs 36 ft sailboat)
 
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J

JBP-PA

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Apr 29, 2022
579
Jeanneau Tonic 23 Erie, PA
The Coast Guard requirements are white, all-around (360 degree visibility), visible at 2 N. Miles (only 4.3 lumens!). It is conventionally a mast head light but the rule does not actually require it to be a mast head light, just "all-around white". If your main light is broken, I doubt the CG would hassle you for a makeshift light as long as you meet those requirements. There are a lot of LED lanterns available everywhere that can easily do it.
In addition to my main anchor light, I have a waterproof inflatable battery LED light that I hang under my spreaders as a lower light and it provides illumination of my boat so people see me. The battery easily lasts all night.
 
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rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,553
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
JBP-PA said:
I have a waterproof inflatable battery LED light that I hang under my spreaders as a lower light and it provides illumination of my boat so people see me. The battery easily lasts all night.
Click to expand
Same... and it is nice to sit out in the cockpit and be able to see the deck.
 
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Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,171
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
As mentioned by others, you don't need the 360 deg mast head light to anchor legally. You can hang a lantern from the end of the boom or at the bow pulpit, anywhere that offers all round.

But, you said MAST light. Which I believe you mean the "steaming" light that must be mounted on the mast facing forward at least 1/2 way up. 'So that would be pretty easy to re wire temporarily by going up to the light and running a new wire externally down the outside of the mast, or run the wire over to the shroud and back down to the deck....
What I"d do however is get a battery powered light that satisfies GC regs for brightness and Strap it too the mast as high as you can reach, and drop the headsail when you motor. If you're sailing you don't need to display it. Most people motor sail with reefed mainsail only, to keep the boat from swaying side to side.
As for anchor light. Read your coast guard regs closely so you understand where an anchor light is actually required.
 
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dLj

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
4,294
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
jssailem said:
LIGHT ANCHOR KEROSENE BRASS & COPPER
Click to expand
Funny you posted this. I've been on the fence about posting that I used to use a kerosine lamp on one of my boats for the anchor light. It wasn't a reproduction like this one, it was an original railroad signal lantern as they were designed to be used in any position without leaking. Wish I still had it...

dj
 
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thinwater

thinwater

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Mar 26, 2011
3,680
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
a. The Davis light in post 3 is not USCG approved. Obviously neither are most of the other suggestions. A garden light is very unlikely to stay lit all night. Attwood makes battery powered lights, but check for the "USCG approved" statement and an approval number on the item when you open the box. Most prodicts will say they are not approved.

b. An "emergency" is really a single night. This is not an emergency situation.

c. There is no such thing as a "steaming light" in COLREGS. It is a masthead light, which is not at the top of the mast (it is defined in COLREGS.
COLREGS. An anchor light is different from a masthead light. You can use a 360 all-around light under power, but you must cover the stern light.

d. Only listed special anchorages are exempt from anchor lights. This does NOT include most mooring fields.
Special Anchorage List
 
Captain Larry-DH

Captain Larry-DH

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Jun 14, 2010
2,292
Robertson & Caine 2017 Leopard 40 CT
Friends gave me one of these, and it would be terrific in your situation. If you hang it above the cockpit, it would double as anchor light and cockpit light. And no electrical draw from your house bank. It’s a surprisingly bright, even all-around light. LuminAid solar lantern

(p.s. Yes it doesn’t have a CG certification to meet regulations, but nobody enforces those. The only way I foresee it becoming an issue is if there’s a collision and then lawyers get involved in the aftermath.)
 
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