I'm installing a new electrical panel on my H22. The original panel was disconnected from the wiring so I had to trace down all the wiring to the lights which I now have identified. The original panel had 4 circuits: Cabin Lights, Running Lights and Steaming Lights. There was also a space for an Anchor Light which was not used. I just got a H22 manual from Hunter which identifies the the wiring but uses different terms for them namely the exterior lights. The manual refers to Bow & Stern lights, Mast Light for the exterior lights. Please bear with me as I'm new to sailing and want to know which lights are the Running Lights and Steaming Lights. I had just assumed all exterior light would be on when under sail. I'd like to know how to group these lights properly when I connect the new electrical panel. Also would like to know what size wire to run from the battery to the new electrical panel. My new 6 circuit panel has male clip type terminals and from what I could see of the original wiring it seemed like a #4 wire was used to connect to the old panel but can't see how I could do this with a small male terminal on my new panel. Thanks for any suggestions. Pete
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Lights
The rules of the road state that when a sail boat is just sailing at night or during restricted visibility it should have on the port/starboard (red/green) lights and the stern light. When it is under power or 'steaming' as the panel states or motor/sailing it is considered a power boat and must, under the rules, add a mast light. As far as wire size, I don't think I would go any smaller. The connectors are probably available at chandlery along with the tool to attach them to the wire.
The rules of the road state that when a sail boat is just sailing at night or during restricted visibility it should have on the port/starboard (red/green) lights and the stern light. When it is under power or 'steaming' as the panel states or motor/sailing it is considered a power boat and must, under the rules, add a mast light. As far as wire size, I don't think I would go any smaller. The connectors are probably available at chandlery along with the tool to attach them to the wire.
Lights pop quiz
At night, when under sail your running lights are the red (port), green (starboard) bow light, the stern light and mast head light. At night under power, exclude the masthead light and add the steaming light which is located on the front of the mast about halfway up. At anchor at night, the masthead light is your anchor light. Therefore, you will want to wire bow and stern as running lights, Mast head as anchor light and the light half way up the mast as steaming light. There are color graphics of this layout that I tried to locate, but had no success. Cabin lights are just that. The lighting configuration described is in acccordance with Coast Guard Nav Regs for boats 23 feet and longer. You could look on the CG web site for the graphics. The #4 cable was probably intended for wiring to a deep cycle battery with the butterfly nut post then to a switch box, or junction that would allow downsizing.
At night, when under sail your running lights are the red (port), green (starboard) bow light, the stern light and mast head light. At night under power, exclude the masthead light and add the steaming light which is located on the front of the mast about halfway up. At anchor at night, the masthead light is your anchor light. Therefore, you will want to wire bow and stern as running lights, Mast head as anchor light and the light half way up the mast as steaming light. There are color graphics of this layout that I tried to locate, but had no success. Cabin lights are just that. The lighting configuration described is in acccordance with Coast Guard Nav Regs for boats 23 feet and longer. You could look on the CG web site for the graphics. The #4 cable was probably intended for wiring to a deep cycle battery with the butterfly nut post then to a switch box, or junction that would allow downsizing.
Thanks...
Thanks all for the info which answered my questions. I now know why the Anchor Light space in the original panel was not used...There is no Anchor light at the masthead. Will the Steaming Light suffice as an anchor light or should I install one?
Thanks all for the info which answered my questions. I now know why the Anchor Light space in the original panel was not used...There is no Anchor light at the masthead. Will the Steaming Light suffice as an anchor light or should I install one?
A little help
Anchor light has to be seen 360 degrees. Your steaming light only faces forward, so you'll need to install a masthead light for anchoring at night, or you can find several ideas in the archives here for hanging lanterns and such. Mac
Anchor light has to be seen 360 degrees. Your steaming light only faces forward, so you'll need to install a masthead light for anchoring at night, or you can find several ideas in the archives here for hanging lanterns and such. Mac
anchor light info
From the coastguard website: "Anchored Vessels AT NIGHT: All vessels at anchor must display anchor lights. If your vessel is less than 164 feet/50 meters in length, then its anchor light is an all-round white light visible where it can best be seen from all directions." "DURING THE DAY: All vessels at anchor must display, forward where it can be best seen, a black ball shape." "EXCEPTIONS: If your vessel is less than 23 feet/7 meters in length, then it is not required to display an anchor light or shape unless it is anchored in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage, or where other vessels normally navigate." Since you have a 22, unless you plan on anchoring in a busy location you probably won't need one. If you do need one occasionally, you can probably get a portable that will run on batteries at night.
From the coastguard website: "Anchored Vessels AT NIGHT: All vessels at anchor must display anchor lights. If your vessel is less than 164 feet/50 meters in length, then its anchor light is an all-round white light visible where it can best be seen from all directions." "DURING THE DAY: All vessels at anchor must display, forward where it can be best seen, a black ball shape." "EXCEPTIONS: If your vessel is less than 23 feet/7 meters in length, then it is not required to display an anchor light or shape unless it is anchored in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage, or where other vessels normally navigate." Since you have a 22, unless you plan on anchoring in a busy location you probably won't need one. If you do need one occasionally, you can probably get a portable that will run on batteries at night.
maybe I'm wrong
Where I sail, on an inland lake in upstate SC, I use my bow lights and the white light in the back when I anchor for the night. After 5 years , no one has said anything. The way I figure it, Most of the people out late are fishing or just riding around and are not looking up to see a masthead light.
Where I sail, on an inland lake in upstate SC, I use my bow lights and the white light in the back when I anchor for the night. After 5 years , no one has said anything. The way I figure it, Most of the people out late are fishing or just riding around and are not looking up to see a masthead light.
Anchor Light
Something to consider when anchoring out at night. The CG regs state " its anchor light is an all around white light visible where it can best be seen from all directions." A masthead light, which most small boats seem to be equipped with for their anchor light, is often not easily visible from the deck level of another small vessel approaching. Some suggest a lower location which would be more easily visible at eye level of an approaching vessel. I hang mine off the backstay where it splits. Fair Winds Dave Noack H23 "Wind Dreamer"
Something to consider when anchoring out at night. The CG regs state " its anchor light is an all around white light visible where it can best be seen from all directions." A masthead light, which most small boats seem to be equipped with for their anchor light, is often not easily visible from the deck level of another small vessel approaching. Some suggest a lower location which would be more easily visible at eye level of an approaching vessel. I hang mine off the backstay where it splits. Fair Winds Dave Noack H23 "Wind Dreamer"
Lights
The masthead light should not be used under sail, only bow and stern lights. Masthead is for anchoring, steaming for sailboats under power, regardless if sails are up or not.
The masthead light should not be used under sail, only bow and stern lights. Masthead is for anchoring, steaming for sailboats under power, regardless if sails are up or not.
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