Steaming light with foredeck lighting

Apr 9, 2014
33
macgregor 26x Avon
Recently got a steaming light with foredeck light as well. On the 26x, I have running lights, masthead light, and interior lights switches with fuses inside under mast. When I switch from mast head to steaming light, have to go forward left of mast on deck and manually plug which one I want. Is this typical or did previous boat owner set this up? Want all switches inside and want all lights to be able to work independently... Any thoughts?
 
Aug 26, 2015
21
Edel 820CC Whitby,ontario
pictures? so is there 2 plugs from the mast and 1 plug on the deck? if so maybe needs to add dedicated wire from the breaker panel and another thru deck plug. or change the plug to accomodate more electrics.
 
Nov 19, 2011
1,489
MacGregor 26S Hampton, VA
I have the same set up. You can't run both at once. Many macs didn't have the anchor light and frankly it's not required because you can run your steaming light and stern light. Likewise, I think you could run the anchor light under power with no stern light. This all depends on if your red/green lights are on or off. You just can't run two white lights facing the same direction. I guess mine is different because my deck connection is easy to reach through the pop-top. (26s). You have to climb forward.
 
Apr 9, 2014
33
macgregor 26x Avon
pictures? so is there 2 plugs from the mast and 1 plug on the deck? if so maybe needs to add dedicated wire from the breaker panel and another thru deck plug. or change the plug to accomodate more electrics.
Thx, both good ideas. Thought about another thru deck. Man more holes in deck always makes me cringe. Need fore lighting as we come after sunsets a lot and need to derig a lot and lighting needed. Dock doesn't have lights!

Another plug to hand more electrics will mean another switch too I guess...
 
Sep 25, 2008
961
Macgregor & Island Packet VENTURE 25 & IP-38 NORTH EAST, MD
Get a 4 wire through deck plug.
 
Apr 9, 2014
33
macgregor 26x Avon
Get a 4 wire through deck plug.
Thanks, will research. Not sure why the macgregor makes you climb forward to switch manually between steam and mast anchor light. Will reconfigure when it comes out of water this winter...
 
Jun 9, 2004
615
Catalina 385 Marquette. Mi
I would always leave it in the steaming position. You'll be fwd anyways deploying the anchor. Doesnt sound like that big of a deal to me. Not worth drilling an additional or larger hole in the deck as you said.
 
Apr 9, 2014
33
macgregor 26x Avon
I would always leave it in the steaming position. You'll be fwd anyways deploying the anchor. Doesnt sound like that big of a deal to me. Not worth drilling an additional or larger hole in the deck as you said.
Not a big deal to go forward to switch manually on deck from mast light to steam light, the issue is when coming into dock, switching new steam light to fore deck lighting. This boat is used "commercially" for sunset cruises...
 
Nov 19, 2011
1,489
MacGregor 26S Hampton, VA
It's just that virtually no boats have headlights like a car, non legally that is. Pulling in a tight slip at night is a challenge without some help. Some marinas have good dock lighting, others don't. At least with a head lamp, what you see looking at gets lit. Just don't blind your mates.
 
Jun 9, 2004
615
Catalina 385 Marquette. Mi
Are we talking about anchor light, deck light or steaming light? I confuse easily
 
Jun 24, 2010
189
Macgregor 25 Northeast, MD
Mast light

When I added an led anchor light to the top of my mast I added a diode on the mast light and replaced the old switch with a three position switch to reverse the current going out to the mast so I didn't have to add any wiring or change the deck connection. Works great and was easy to do.