I am in the midst of a mast refit. I was planning on installing a spreader light in addition to the a new steaming/ foredeck light. Is this overkill. I have noticed that most of the sailboats laid up for the winter in our marina do not have spreader lights. If I do install the spreader light can I install a flag pennant and sheave on the same port spreader?
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The problem I see with spreader lights
Invariably you will end up looking up at the lights and killing your night vision. I have a foredeck light that I rarely use. I prefer a good quality LED headlamp. The Princeton Tech EOS is a great one to use. Tim R.
Invariably you will end up looking up at the lights and killing your night vision. I have a foredeck light that I rarely use. I prefer a good quality LED headlamp. The Princeton Tech EOS is a great one to use. Tim R.
Yes you can
install the pennant and sheave at the same time. Had the spreader lights on a previous boat didn't use them very often, but when needed, they were nice to have.
install the pennant and sheave at the same time. Had the spreader lights on a previous boat didn't use them very often, but when needed, they were nice to have.
flag halyard.....
...should be on starboard spreader. I agree with Tim and Patrick regarding the need for spreader lights in the first place. They ruin your night vision and are annoying to other boats in the marina or anchorage. That said if you feel you need them, then by all means hook them up.
...should be on starboard spreader. I agree with Tim and Patrick regarding the need for spreader lights in the first place. They ruin your night vision and are annoying to other boats in the marina or anchorage. That said if you feel you need them, then by all means hook them up.
not quite as hight as the spreader light
I picked up a 55 watt halogen light at the local auto store. (I sail inland, so salt is not an issue) I would like to mount the light lower than the spreader, for some of the reasons mentioned prior, but also to be able to put it within reaching (read: changing the bulb) distance while standing on the boom. I think that this would put it about 7 feet up the mast from the deck. Has anyone mounted their light on the side of the mast in this fashion, and if so, did you get enough light shining on the bow for anchor handling? Also what kind of connector did you use at the deck when running the wire through the fg?
I picked up a 55 watt halogen light at the local auto store. (I sail inland, so salt is not an issue) I would like to mount the light lower than the spreader, for some of the reasons mentioned prior, but also to be able to put it within reaching (read: changing the bulb) distance while standing on the boom. I think that this would put it about 7 feet up the mast from the deck. Has anyone mounted their light on the side of the mast in this fashion, and if so, did you get enough light shining on the bow for anchor handling? Also what kind of connector did you use at the deck when running the wire through the fg?
Spreader Lights
If you are even thinking about spreader lights, then you probably need them. I have no idea why someone would have their spreader lights on and are worried about ruining their night vision. Do they sail with spreaders on? Do they only anchor in calm weather during the daylight? Keep in mind, if you dont need the light, dont turn it on. Does that make sense? Tony B
If you are even thinking about spreader lights, then you probably need them. I have no idea why someone would have their spreader lights on and are worried about ruining their night vision. Do they sail with spreaders on? Do they only anchor in calm weather during the daylight? Keep in mind, if you dont need the light, dont turn it on. Does that make sense? Tony B
Added a combo steaming/foredeck light
Last season. Throws all the light I need for night reefing ect. Designed for the foredeck but is enough light at the mast for workin on things. I think its better because it doesn't throw enough light to blind me if admiral is foredeck/mast working with me at helm. Just my opinon. Pray for Wind, Lugeman
Last season. Throws all the light I need for night reefing ect. Designed for the foredeck but is enough light at the mast for workin on things. I think its better because it doesn't throw enough light to blind me if admiral is foredeck/mast working with me at helm. Just my opinon. Pray for Wind, Lugeman
my thoughts on this...
I re-did the wiring, and installed a new anchor light and a combo steaming light/deck light last spring before our trip to the keys. I can count on one hand the number of times I have used my deck light, but have been thankful everytime I used it. The light throws plenty of light, and really isn't all that blinding when it is on.
I re-did the wiring, and installed a new anchor light and a combo steaming light/deck light last spring before our trip to the keys. I can count on one hand the number of times I have used my deck light, but have been thankful everytime I used it. The light throws plenty of light, and really isn't all that blinding when it is on.
The spreader..
It's swept back and looks like a B&R rig. The spreader is hiding behind the mast!
It's swept back and looks like a B&R rig. The spreader is hiding behind the mast!
Installing spreader lights is a good upgrade.
They are handy when working or playing on deck after dark. They can also provide additional safety when cruising a heavily transited strech at night. Letting the lights shine on your sails can make you to more easily be seen. Haven't seen anything on LED deck lights but would be concerned about if they provide enough clarity. We have incandescent halogen sealed beams and although the power drain is inconsequential at the dock when underway we use them judiciously.
They are handy when working or playing on deck after dark. They can also provide additional safety when cruising a heavily transited strech at night. Letting the lights shine on your sails can make you to more easily be seen. Haven't seen anything on LED deck lights but would be concerned about if they provide enough clarity. We have incandescent halogen sealed beams and although the power drain is inconsequential at the dock when underway we use them judiciously.
Just my .02
You may not consider spreader lights a necessity. But I can assure you that if you ever need to get up on deck on a dark and stormy night for any reason, you will certainly form a different opinion. I like the spreader lights as opposed to the little deck/steaming combination, as the spreader lights put out a lot more light. As for ruining your night vision. You only turn them on when needed, which is, for me at least, very seldom. But I wouldn't be without them.
You may not consider spreader lights a necessity. But I can assure you that if you ever need to get up on deck on a dark and stormy night for any reason, you will certainly form a different opinion. I like the spreader lights as opposed to the little deck/steaming combination, as the spreader lights put out a lot more light. As for ruining your night vision. You only turn them on when needed, which is, for me at least, very seldom. But I wouldn't be without them.
Well Tony
You certainly seem to have covered all the bases there. Here's the situation. Overnight race across MA. bay last year on a friends boat. 20 kt. winds and needing to go up to the foredeck. Although we had harnesses the skipper insisted on using the spreader lights so he could see us. I said my headlamp is fine but again he insisted. After returning to the cockpit and dousing the lights none of us could see very well. If they weren't there, no problem. In fact he said that he was going to go with a combo light instead. Tim R.
You certainly seem to have covered all the bases there. Here's the situation. Overnight race across MA. bay last year on a friends boat. 20 kt. winds and needing to go up to the foredeck. Although we had harnesses the skipper insisted on using the spreader lights so he could see us. I said my headlamp is fine but again he insisted. After returning to the cockpit and dousing the lights none of us could see very well. If they weren't there, no problem. In fact he said that he was going to go with a combo light instead. Tim R.
Skipper should have priorities
Is the business on the foredeck more important than nightblindness ? Keep in mind, that if you dont need the spreader lights, dont use them. Also, I guess nightblindness affects some more than others. When i 'lose' my night vision due to lights, it only affects dimly light objects not anything large like another boat. When to use the spreader lights should be a fairly simple decision. If I was the skipper and you wanted to use your headlamp, I would still be able to see you and keep an eye on you even without the spreader. I dont see what is so complicated here. Im in favor of spreader lights because sometimes I have really needed them and Im glad they were there. But I dont use them if I dont need them. If you dont think you need spreader lights on your boat, dont put them on, but dont discourage others from a major piece of safety gear because you have cat vision. I'm sure I could use your arguement about your skipper thing and relate it to seatbelts and how many deaths they caused. Tony B
Is the business on the foredeck more important than nightblindness ? Keep in mind, that if you dont need the spreader lights, dont use them. Also, I guess nightblindness affects some more than others. When i 'lose' my night vision due to lights, it only affects dimly light objects not anything large like another boat. When to use the spreader lights should be a fairly simple decision. If I was the skipper and you wanted to use your headlamp, I would still be able to see you and keep an eye on you even without the spreader. I dont see what is so complicated here. Im in favor of spreader lights because sometimes I have really needed them and Im glad they were there. But I dont use them if I dont need them. If you dont think you need spreader lights on your boat, dont put them on, but dont discourage others from a major piece of safety gear because you have cat vision. I'm sure I could use your arguement about your skipper thing and relate it to seatbelts and how many deaths they caused. Tony B
Something to consider is how mush light you need.
Find a room or a space that gets no outside light. At night go into that room with just a candle and sit for twenty minutes. Avoid looking at the candle. I have found that a single candle will allow me to move about the nave in the church without tripping over the furniture. It is not enough to allow reading but I can see my hands. Experiment with the lowest light levels and determine what is the least that you can function with. For walking at night with no street lights I find that a 4 candle power lantern is plenty. I can see the edge of the curbs and new construction that could hurt me if I walked into it blind. Most of the time we "need" far less light than we think we need.
Find a room or a space that gets no outside light. At night go into that room with just a candle and sit for twenty minutes. Avoid looking at the candle. I have found that a single candle will allow me to move about the nave in the church without tripping over the furniture. It is not enough to allow reading but I can see my hands. Experiment with the lowest light levels and determine what is the least that you can function with. For walking at night with no street lights I find that a 4 candle power lantern is plenty. I can see the edge of the curbs and new construction that could hurt me if I walked into it blind. Most of the time we "need" far less light than we think we need.
Reread my post Tony
I did not discourage anyone from installing spreader lights. I simply gave my preference for deck lighting. You made my response sound unfounded so I give a specific example. Then you continue by belittling and insulting me and my friends. Do me a favor and next time skip my post. It is obviously to no value to you. I am going back to work on my teak. Tim R.
I did not discourage anyone from installing spreader lights. I simply gave my preference for deck lighting. You made my response sound unfounded so I give a specific example. Then you continue by belittling and insulting me and my friends. Do me a favor and next time skip my post. It is obviously to no value to you. I am going back to work on my teak. Tim R.
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