No all around anchor light questions

[dancing bear]

My M25's electrical panel has three switches: mast (for the masthead light only), running (for the bow and stern light) and cabin.The mast has a masthead light, but no all-around anchor light.If I understand the regs., I am required to have an anchor light. Is not having this so important that I should not go day-sailing tomorrow or next week? Or can I get away with not having the light for a couple of day-sailing excursions? It also seems if a anchor light is required, wouldn't the black anchor ball be required too? For the electrical panel, I am planning to wire the masthead light to the running circuit and use the mast circuit solely for the all around light. Thoughts?

 

[Jenni]

lighting ruels

This is what I have been able to find on lights necessary for a sailboat. As far as I can tell you dont need the anchor light unless you are anchoring.Sailing VesselsVessels under sail less than 20 meters in length have several options. They may show separate red and green sidelights with a white sternlight; the red and green lights may be combined in a single bow fixture. Another option is to show a masthead all-round red light above an all-round green light in addition to the normal sidelights and sternlight. The combined red-green-white masthead light is very popular - it has the advantage of consuming less power while being highly visible offshore. When this tri-color light is shown, normal sidelights and sternlight are not shown, nor are the red-over-green lights. Vessels less than 7 meters may, instead of running lights, carry a flashlight or lantern to be shown in time to prevent collision. Sailing vessels under power must show the same lights as a power vessel (the tri-color masthead light may not be used). Some state regulations require sidelights and sternlight on a sailboat of any size.Anchor LightsVessels at anchor must show an anchor light unless located in a special anchorage area designated by the Secretary of Transportation. For vessels less than 50 meters in length, the light should be an all-round white light visible for two miles. It should be located where it may best be seen. Many sailboats have masthead anchor lights. It must be kept in mind that these are located well above the line of sight of many small coastal vessels likely to be encountered at night. A safer alternative is a light hung at the lowest height from which it can be seen in all directions. Vessels less than 7 meters in length are not required to display anchor lights when anchored in an area clear of vessel traffic.

 

[bobgump]

alternative

I believe that you do not need a permanent anchor light fixed on the mast.... It can be a light hoisted on a halyard..... If you are not anchoring, no one will really look for the light.... If motor sailing you need a mast head light... If motoring, standard navigation lights are required..... I'd go sailing....

 

[Yankee Sailor]

Mega light

I had the same problem, the info that I received (and I think is the best) is a mega-light mfg by Davis. I bought my from MariSafe, the web address is:www.marisafe.com. You can hang it anywhere on your boat, it comes with a 15ft cord that plugs into a 12v outlet, and it can be seen for 2nm. Check out the web site.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I love my mega light

the davis mega light is great! I have one and suspend it off end of boom, raise or lower as needed for cockpit light, mine has the photocell, auto on/of, IIRC some also have 2 color and blink settings, nice for rowing back to crowded anchorage.BUT it is not uscg approved.... looks a little dim at distance.there a post somewhere of a $15 solar light converted to LED's and placed on the mast head...

 

[dancing bear]

Picked an all around light for the top of the mast

Thanks for all the tips. I am always up for a simple electrical project, so I ordered a $22 all round light for the top of my mast.I need to nose around the wiring anyway to get to know the boat better.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

where?

where in the world did you find a $22 mast head light?OR is this just a white light you are placing on the mast (not uscg approved mast head light)most mast head lights I've seen were very pricy...can you post a link??

 

[dancing bear]

Cheap All Around Lights

It was an all-around anchor light, I purchased it from West Marine. Aqua Signal has similarly priced masthead lights, for Hella you have to spend $70 to get a masthead light.There were four models in this price range, I went with the series 25 since it matched my my current bow, stern and masthead light (by masthead light I mean the 225 degree light about 2 foot from the top of the mast). These are all old-school, with no fancy LEDs, case construction, kind of ugly, etc... Model numbers are the West Marine numbers, not the manufacturers:Hella 5988458 $23.99Aqua SignalSeries 25 225714 $21.99Series 22 141692 $16.99Series 20 315150 $19.99