Spreader Lights Suggestion Cape Dory 27

[Chesapeake Bob]

A friend of mine is re-wiring his mast and is considering installing spreader lights. His mast is down and now is the time. He was thinking of a traditional flood light style pair of lights. Can you suggest a make and model, and a method for attaching these to the spreader tubes?

Thanks Bob O.

 

[Rick D]

Check Practical Sailor this month. There is an entire article and evaluation.

 

[BioAndy]

I replaced my flood-light style spreader lights with a pair of OPT X Marine 8 L.E.D Deck Lights last season while the mast was down. The L.E.D. lighting is pricey compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, but power consumption is greatly reduced. Simple install to underside of spreaders using self tapping screws. Plenty of light on deck when I need it now.
http://www.atlanticmarineinc.com/copy-of-optx-8-l-e-d-deck-light-white/

 

[Nereussailor]

I'm not a fan of spreader lights or anything hanging on the spreaders. I believe the spreaders on a Cape Dory are round, so it makes it a little tougher to find something that's low profile. I they were flat there would be more options. Personally, a light mounted to the front of the mast would be my thought.

 

[Brian S]

Nereussailor, can you discuss why you don't care for spreader lights? Just for information and opinion's sake...

Also, for your light mounted on the mast, would you have a fixture focused directly downwards to illuminate the foredeck, or something less directed?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Nereussailor]

I guess I don't feel that spreader lights are a necessity. I've done a lot of night sailing, and never used them. They take away your ability to see for a few minutes after you turn them off. Your eyes adjust to the dark after a few minutes, and you can see everything on deck at that point. Anything hanging will eventually catch something, a loose halyard, a flag, possibly a sail. It's one less thing to get something hung up on. I keep a red LED flashlight in the cockpit at night, and have a red headlamp for times I need to use both hands. Nothing to get caught on, nothing to blind me. I do have a foredeck light, but don't use it much. I think I've used it a couple of times at a dock when putting sails away. Then it just attracted insects.

 

[higgs]

I am with Nereu. It takes a full 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to full night vision. I no longer do night sailing, but did much in my younger days, including numerous sail changes and main sail reefs in the dead of night, and never needed spreader lights. My last 2 boats were wired for them, but I pulled it out.

 

[All U Get]

We use ours when grabbing a mooring ball or those "middle of the night something's banging" calls. They work better for me than a head lamp or flashlight when its a little lumpy or you need two hands.

All U Get

 

[Chris Patterson]

The only time I've ever used mine is to light the situation when the admiral was stepping off onto a dark pier. Underway? Never. Never ever..