mast light

[Paul M]

I was at the alantic city boat show (missed the sail show) and I questioned the Coast Guard about the mast light location, on the 26X, they told me the light had to be at the top of the mast, and visiable 360*. This is also required to be on when anchored overnight at sea (mooring light) I sail close to the coast guard stationand see them often, The owner of the boat before me never had the mast or sails on the boat, and during a routine stop the coast guard gave him a ticket for not having a center light, to solve this he bought what looks like a flashlight on a pole with a dome over the light, and taped it to the rail. I use this light tied to the main halyard and raised it to the top when I have stayed out all night, Does anybody have any info on this. Thanks

 

[Timm Miller]

Anchor light

Must be visable 360 degrees for about 2 miles........no way around it. Raised on your halyard is blocked by some degree by the mast. It's easy to by a $15 light and mount it on the mast top.......problem solved.

 

[Ron Buckles]

Halyard to lift mast light,

For an anchoring light I use the Davis "Mega Lite" masthead style that comes with the bracket. It draws very little current.See:http://www.navstore.com/davis_mega_light.aspI lash this to a haylard with the light to the up and raise it to the top of the mask. The light reaches over the top of the mask for 360 deg. coverage. I put plenty of wire on it to a cigarette lighter plug. This wire is also the downhaul so I have good strain relief for the wire on the bracket. Put a hook on the bottom of the the bracket and the same light can be use as a cockpit light or drop lamp.

 

[Norman]

battery drain?

Anyone know how much the stock mast light draws? I'm a new owner and only have the stock battery. Is it okay to leave the outside lights on all night? Or will my battery be drained in the morning?

 

[billy w]

navigation/anchor lights

M26X navigation lights meet coast guard requirements for boats under power or sail as long as the mast is up, but not anchoring requirements. If powering with mast down, a 225* white light must be added to cabin top to supplement 135* stern light or just put 360* white light on cabin top which will also serve as anchor light with mast down. This light must be at least 1 meter above colored lights. For anchoring with mast up a 360* white light must be added to top of mast (above mast). I don't think I would run lights all night off starting battery.

 

[Ken Caviston]

Battery Drain

A fully charged battery will last all night with the stock nav lights. Only trouble is that if you are anchored using running lights is a no-no. Other boats will think that you are underway.

 

[Ron Buckles]

The Davis "Mega Lite" draws less than 0.1 A

The Davis "Mega Lite" draws 74mA or .074 Amps