Steaming Light

[SouthernStar]

In the process of purchasing a hunter 2009 336 and the survery says "12V night navigation and anchor lighting system (NO STEAMING LIGHT, anchor light function questionable).
? is shouldnt there be a steaming light, and if so should it be on the center of the mast, and anchor light should be on top?
Going for the seatrail Friday.
Thanks.

 

[sandpiper10471]

Yes! For some reason sometimes the steaming light is referred to as an anchor light and the anchor light a masthead light. I have also seen panels labeled masthead and in fact were steaming lights. Wouldn't surprise me if your prospective purchase has both, but labeled confusingly.

 

[Erieau]

Colregs refers to a steaming light as a masthead light.

 

[centerline]

some boats were set up with a forward looking white light partway up the mast and a (white) stern light.... the theory is, for anchoring out, you are supposed to have them both on to meet the requirement of 360 degree lighting..... it works, but not as nice as a 360 degree masthead light.
my boat was setup with a "fractional" mast light and I changed it out to the all around masthead mounted type.
so now I have 3 lights, 2 switches... my 360 masthead light is wired on its own switch, and the red/green running and the stern light wired together on their switch..... when im underway in the evening I have them all on, and at anchor only the masthead light is on.
the "regulations" show the minimum requirements for night lighting, and i have worked on many fishing boats that have exceeded the minimum requirement and have never heard of any issues with having too much lighting on.... such as having too many white lights showing rearward or forward while underway.....

 

[Rick Webb]

There Should be a Steaming Light

Not necessarily part way up the mast. Many boat have them at the top of the mast incoperated into the same fixture as the anchor light. The fixture has two bulbs the forward bulb lights up for the steaming light both bulbs light up for the anchor light.

i do Vessel Exams for the Coatst Guard Auxiliary and often it is very difficult to see if the lights at the top of the mast are operating on a bright day. They maybe working and the surveyor could not see them.

That type of light looks like this:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=50523&subdeptNum=50580&classNum=50581

 

[centerline]

Not necessarily part way up the mast. Many boat have them at the top of the mast incoperated into the same fixture as the anchor light. The fixture has two bulbs the forward bulb lights up for the steaming light both bulbs light up for the anchor light.

i do Vessel Exams for the Coatst Guard Auxiliary and often it is very difficult to see if the lights at the top of the mast are operating on a bright day. They maybe working and the surveyor could not see them.

That type of light looks like this:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=50523&subdeptNum=50580&classNum=50581

correct.... not necessarily. but some boats do have what I would call a fractional placement of the mast light... my point was that a masthead light is better and that an all around masthead light(more affordbable) should serve just as well to meet minimum requirements as a split/combination light would(more expensive).... I have yet to see the "maximum lighting allowed" regulations...

 

[SouthernStar]

Thanks everyone for the input

 

[Scott B]

Sorry, missed this earlier. If its a 2009, the model is a 33. The light at the top is a combined light and serves 2 functions. There are 2 switches on the electrical panel. Steaming light has a forward shinging light only. Anchor Light gives a 360 deg. all round light.

 

[SouthernStar]

Thanks Scott B. We'll take a look when we do the seatrail Friday.