My wife is sick of me...

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Hermit Scott

Hermit Scott

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Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
So I am going to spend some time on the ICW alone on the boat. I have never anchored out overnight. I don't have an anchor light on the top of the mast that is functioning. I would have to run wires to it. I made a lantern thing that I am going to put a 360 LED bulb in. Can I put this on a pole or hang it from somewhere on the boat and be compliant? If not totally compliant will it be acceptable? (what I mean by "will it be acceptable" is in the way that everyone anchors out in the day not displaying a black ball though it is technically required)
 

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dscribner

dscribner

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Nov 9, 2008
1,338
Pearson-O'Day 290 Portland Maine
Hermit,

I just installed the one I got for Christmas. For two years I've been hanging a 3-LED puck light wrapped in a Walmart bag on my halyard. From shore it was at least as bright as the real thing. Compliant . . . . not so much. But does it work? You betcha!

Your lantern looks great. I would run it up the mast and use a sail slug in the groove to keep it in place. Just make sure the batteries are fresh.
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Hang it on your backstay. You should have six candle power and be visible for a mile.
 
higgs

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,736
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
The anchor light does not have to be on the mast masthead.
 
Bill Murray

Bill Murray

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Jun 2, 2004
241
Hunter 410 Charlevoix, MI
The Don Casey Library (Boat US) says...


Anchor Light Requirements
The Inland Rules specify that any vessel under 50 meters (164.1') at anchor must exhibit a white 360-degree light where it can be seen and have a two-mile visibility in most situations. Vessels less than 7 meters (23.9') must display anchor lights when anchored in or near a narrow channel, fairway, or anchorage, or where other vessels normally navigate.
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A 360-degree white all-around light with two-mile visibility fulfills this requirement. Wire gauge and length of wiring, as well as battery condition, can affect a light's performance. Follow manufacturer's instructions to ensure compliance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations.[/FONT]

No requirement states that it must be at mast head....... only visible at 360 deg. if you thhink the mast is too much of an obstruction go for the mast head but consider that the rules were written when all sailors hoisted kerosene (or whale oil ) lamps into the rigging to satisfy this requirement :--)
 
Brian D

Brian D

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Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
But if you want it on the mast head, put it on a stick, attach to your halyard and rise it above the mast. Done.
 
Bob S

Bob S

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Sep 27, 2007
1,813
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
I think I might have read that it isn't required as long as you are anchoring in a designated area. Maybe someone can clarify this. That being said, my masthead anchor light works and I always use it regardless of where I anchor. Sometimes I put it on when I'm on a mooring just so that I can find her when dinghying back in the dark. I also found an old kerosene anchor light in my grandfathers old stuff.

Hermit, have you solo sailed her yet? I think we started around the same time and it's something I have been hesitant in doing.
 
Freedom77

Freedom77

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Jul 29, 2010
1,392
Macgregor 76 V-25 #928 Lake Mead, Nevada
I have a halyard on the starboard spreader. This puts the light haflway up the mast and it is visible 360 degrees for miles. LED is bright and uses less juice. Fair winds...
 
T

thesailerdude

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Apr 14, 2009
37
Aux Middle River, MD
ah the glorious ICW!!! how long will you motorsail down there? and i m assuming you are leaving from corpus christi? if so to where?

and dude my sailboat did not have a mast light...used led light that are identical with yours (albeit a bit less fancy and expensive!!) :)
 
FastOlson

FastOlson

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Apr 8, 2010
2,238
Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR
About being "seen"

We used an old Guest brand anchor light for a couple of decades. Requires a lantern battery.
Ours has a switch, and there was a pricier version with a solar-activated on/off switch.
Nowadays we have an led anchor light on the masthead. Ultra low current draw. It's great.

Remember that besides being "legal" you also want to be seen by boat operators wandering around in the dark that are only looking ahead (hopefully...) and seldom looking waaay up at your masthead.

If there is any chance of other boating traffic in the dark, we hang a light in the cockpit or on the forestay about 5 feet off the deck as well.

You did not ask, but do be sure to also have a good radar reflector up all the time, and have it properly mounted.

So, as the sergeant used to say on Hill Street Blues, "Be careful out there!"

:)
 

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caguy

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
I bought this bulb on Ebay 2 for $14 with free shipping. I had to remake the old wooden holder to accommodate the larger bulb. I made it out of a two inch thick piece of nylon plastic I had sitting around the garage. Actually I had my 88 year old dad turn in on the lathe. He hadn’t use the lathe in years but boy was he proud. The bulb is way brighter than the incandescent bulb that was stock. What is also cool is that the new translucent nylon base also glows.
 

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zeehag

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
i , again, have to commment on my lighting-- mine is inexpensive, recharges and is bright. can be seen 3 miles away easily--i have done a check---and work. i have a many as i feel like placing and i am SEEN.
whether in a designated anchorage or non-designated anchorage-- there are still folks who run thru the boats because they like doing that--isnt polite and is not ticketed by many local yokels...so a light in the cockpit and one on bow do a lot for visibility. i find my boats are not hit as often when i keep the lights on outside at night.
 
Bob S

Bob S

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Sep 27, 2007
1,813
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
Bill,
Thanks for the clarification. I have a better understanding. I knew I had read something a while ago on one of the anchor threads that go on for ever.:) How better to learn.
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,948
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
I carry glow sticks (green/red/white) as a backup for if (when) the wiring or battery fail. I've had to use them only one time and that was when the anchor light failed to come on. It was late, I was tired and far from home so I snapped a few and ran them up the topping lift line. In the morning they were still glowing. Not sure if they could be seen two miles but no one hit me. :neutral:


BTW, the glow sticks are available in the camping or boating section at WalMart. An inexpensive way to have a little peace of mind.
 
dscribner

dscribner

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Nov 9, 2008
1,338
Pearson-O'Day 290 Portland Maine
Bill1565,

Why the bag??? Three reasons

1) it seems to give a grittier "I love sailing more than style" feel
2) the white bag diffused the light into a nice bright glow.
3) Those little plastic handles that always seem to get caught on everything but your fingers when your reaching for them make for a great way to tie the light to the halyard.
 
Hermit Scott

Hermit Scott

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Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
Bob S said:
I think I might have read that it isn't required as long as you are anchoring in a designated area. Maybe someone can clarify this. That being said, my masthead anchor light works and I always use it regardless of where I anchor. Sometimes I put it on when I'm on a mooring just so that I can find her when dinghying back in the dark. I also found an old kerosene anchor light in my grandfathers old stuff.

Hermit, have you solo sailed her yet? I think we started around the same time and it's something I have been hesitant in doing.
Click to expand
Bob, everytime I go out I am solo sailing. If my wife tries to help she ends up getting sick. So, so she can enjoy our time out sailing she just relaxes against the bulkhead.
my hesitation to solo sail was getting in and out of the slip alone. But now I back out about 125 yards straight back And I have a 'y'shaped rope set up to crash into coming back in. I like sailing alone, but I don't have an autopilot yet, so I wish the winches were back where I can reach them behind the wheel. That is where I prefer to sail.
That would be a treasure to find a anchor light that was your grandfathers. The only thing I have from my grandfather is my affinity for alcohol. I am drinking a fosters as I write this. lol
 
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