I'm not 100% sure on this but I believe the anchor light has to be an "all
around" light meaning visible through 360 degrees. Of course it shouldn't be
obstructed in its view which means on top of the mast. In practice many
people hang one from a spreader, often with a photvoltaic switch to turn it
on when the sun goes down. If it is above the cabin top obstruction is
minimal and only from the mast. The problem with putting it on top of the
mast is when it is high it has the night sky as a backdrop and is easily
mistaken for one of the stars. We used both and didn't worry too much about
having to get back to the boat before dark as we knew at least one of them
would be on. I do know that the kerosene or parrafin lantern type anchor
lights are not legal in the USA due to insufficient output. Walt, Lyric S/V
120
PS if getting the masthead tricolor anchor combo spring for the one with
strobe also. You might be glad you did.
around" light meaning visible through 360 degrees. Of course it shouldn't be
obstructed in its view which means on top of the mast. In practice many
people hang one from a spreader, often with a photvoltaic switch to turn it
on when the sun goes down. If it is above the cabin top obstruction is
minimal and only from the mast. The problem with putting it on top of the
mast is when it is high it has the night sky as a backdrop and is easily
mistaken for one of the stars. We used both and didn't worry too much about
having to get back to the boat before dark as we knew at least one of them
would be on. I do know that the kerosene or parrafin lantern type anchor
lights are not legal in the USA due to insufficient output. Walt, Lyric S/V
120
PS if getting the masthead tricolor anchor combo spring for the one with
strobe also. You might be glad you did.