Steaming light wiring

[Cainsoccer]

The electrical panel on my 81 C22 doesn't show a "steaming light" circuit.
Does this mean when I use Nav lights, the steaming light is on?
By the book, when under sail at night (I don't plan on doing a lot of this but...) I wouldn't use the steaming light, right?
So do I worry about adding a steaming switch, or just leave it on the nav light circuit?

 

[Joe]

Can't you just start switching and watch what happens?
Steaming light on my original Catalina 27 panel is called "mast light"
Nav lights or running lights will be port and starboard bow lights (red and green) and white stern light.
The steaming or mast light is to let others know you are running under power and not sailing.

 

[LakeMurraySailor]

Cain, the way I understand it(and I may be wrong), the steaming is only used while under power(not sailing). So you are correct, when sailing at night you should only have the navigation lights on. I used to do a lot of sailing after dark and saw lots of other boats with steaming lights on while sailing but I believe they just weren't aware of the rules.

 

[watercolors II]

Steaming light halfway up mast!

All rules and regulations are interpreted differently by the arresting officers, why are there so many lawyers if all the laws are seen in the same light.

Common sense tells me and actual sailing at night, a steaming light will light up the headsail and show at a distance that you are under sail and basic running lights shows you are a vessel under power, sail power. (question becomes when sailing under main alone at night?) Turning off that steaming light when under sail says you are giving up your rights to all motorized boats.

I also believe that when motor sailing at night, that steaming light should not light up your sail thus giving up your sailboat rights.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

My panel says "Mastlight" to indicate the steaming light as well. I would expect you to have a steaming light switch because it is essential for a sailboat. Running lights for a boat that is motoring includes an all around white light that is visible, usually at the stern (elevated on power boats for visibility all-around). For a sailboat that is sailing, the running lights under sail include a white light visible only from behind (usually on the rail - it doesn't have to be elevated because it is only intended to be seen from behind). When you are motoring, your white light must be visible all around, therefore you need the steaming light on in addition to the stern light on (with the red & green bow lights) to have an all-around white light - indicating you are under motor power.
If you don't have a switch for the steaming light, you should add it.
Switching the steaming light on when you are under sail is just wrong and confusing to other boaters.

 

[Wes Gardner]

I color-coded switches on my panel so I can just tell guests, "turn on all the green ones"...

 

[pclarksurf]

Dude - I seriously want to hit the "wrong" toggle!

Love it--

 

[Paul Mermelstein]

Folks, it is important to note that these rules are from the US Coast Guard, for all navigable inland waters in the U.S., and are not optional. Some of you got it wrong or even backwards. These rules are not subject to interpretation by sailors or the "arresting officers". These rules clearly guide who is the stand-on boat, and who is the give-way boat, when visibility is not optimal. Specifically, when under engine power (steaming), we are powerboats. Period. Doesn't matter if we have sails up or not. [Rant over. Here's the rule.] When under sail power alone, your navigation lights consist of the red on port bow, green on starboard bow, and a white light at the stern. These are our "navigation lights" and should all be switched simultaneously. However, when under engine power, whether you have sails helping or not, you must also light the white "steaming light" halfway up the masthead, which faces forward and has a 225 degree arc. It should be on its own switch. And by the way, keeping the foresail up while steaming may obstruct the steaming light, which is prohibited, so furl it or lower it.

 

[Ron20324]

UH, folks... In a 1981 c22 he just might not even have a steaming light.

 

[Flamingo1]

My 1972 has a steaming light. It may have been added by someone other than the factory, but it's definitely there. It does not, however, have an anchor light.

 

[Stu Jackson]

All rules and regulations are interpreted differently by the arresting officers, why are there so many lawyers if all the laws are seen in the same light.

Common sense tells me and actual sailing at night, a steaming light will light up the headsail and show at a distance that you are under sail and basic running lights shows you are a vessel under power, sail power. (question becomes when sailing under main alone at night?) Turning off that steaming light when under sail says you are giving up your rights to all motorized boats.

Your common sense and the RULES differ. In sooo many ways.

Paul got it right.

Read it. May save your a$$ one night.

Not sorry for being blunt either.

Making up your own rules is just stupid.

 

[Leeward Rail]

Ditto to what Stu said.
Simply read the regulations and follow them. There is NO interpretation.
Rules vary in different parts of the world, but as Stu and Paul say, USGC Inland rules are written in stone, and completely clear.
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title33/33cfr83_main_02.tpl


@Wes Gardner colour coding is a great idea. I'll steal that idea thank you very much.
I'm also very tempted to hit that "Wrong" switch.... hehe
A mischievous person would hook it up to a loud siren and wait for the unsuspecting "victim" to try it. So.... What's does it do ?

 

[Jacomo Sailor]

Stu is absolutely correct, but Watercolors II is also correct on one thing : "All rules and regulations are interpreted differently by the arresting officers." Not saying that makes them right, just that weather you get cited or not depends on their interpretation.

I am reminded of a time many years ago when I had a run-in with lake patrol over their ignorance of lighting requirements. I sail a smaller lake in a county park that is horsepower restricted. Jacomo is dominated by sailboats and low HP pontoons. The only big HP boats are the park rangers and they are notorious for running around full speed even when they are not responding to emergencies.

One evening I was anchored at the mouth of a tiny cove when a ranger boat came by at full speed. When he saw me he spun around and made a full speed turning pass 30 yards off my stern that sent me rolling. When he finally pulled alongside me, I asked what all that nonsense was about. He said he stopped because I didn't have any lights on. When I pointed out that I was at anchor and I did indeed have my anchor light on, he said it didn't matter weather I was at anchor or not, I was supposed to have all of my nav lights on. I respectfully disagreed with him and quoted verbatim the lighting requirements stated in the Missouri watercraft manual and then offered to show him the copy that I kept on board. Again, he told me I was wrong.

I then pointed out that because I was within 50' of the shore and was actively fishing, I technically wasn't required to display ANY lighting except for the spot light that I shined at him when he tried to wake me. That pissed him off and he said that the Missouri water patrol rules didn't apply because Jacomo is a county lake. He tried to BS me and said that the State gave them an exception to make their own rules. He then pointed to the general park rules which merely state that navigation lights are required to be displayed on all vessels operating between dusk and dawn. He argued that an anchor light is not a navigation light. I then informed him that lighting requirements are federally prescribed by the USCG and do not grant individual states the authority to make their own rules, nor can the State authorize a county to make it's own rules. I then cited the section that says you may not display any lighting other than what is prescribed, so technically I would be violating the law if I had all of my lights on.

He finally realized that he was in a losing battle and agreed to "let me off" with a warning if I agreed to turn on all of my lights. He then basically threatened me saying that he would be watching for my boat and if he ever saw me out after dark without all of my nav lights on, he would ticket me and the county would revoke my mooring permit for violating park rules.

 

[Bill Roosa]

and lets not forget the day shapes. upside down "cone" to indicate you are under power with sails up and anchor "ball" for when you are anchored during the day. I don't think there is a say shape for motoring with the sails down.

 

[Wes Gardner]

@Leeward Rail it's just a spare....

 

[Wes Gardner]

I assume my boat is somewhat "grandfathered" as my factory running lights are mounted on the sides of the house. (Built in '67) I do have both anchor and steaming per regs. Someday I might refit a combo light on the bow rail for safety as the jib does/can create a blind spot.