Yesterday, my marina neighbor put some decorations on his boat. Not wanting to be outdone, I told him I would do the same. What, if anything, have any of you done to celebrate? Also, is there a limit to the number of light strings that can be placed on a single extension cord? How is this determined? Thanks, John Richard, s/v Jack's Place
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Brian Stevenson
Xmas Decor
I hope you will appreciate my light hearted reply when I say that I have snow all over my boat to celebrate. It would be a lot better celebration if it didn't last for for 5 months, but then we also say that blaming everything on winter is just another "snow job" To reply to your question about the number of lights (the Griswolds would be proud), we use the formula that power(watts) equals volts X amps. Assuming about 110 volts and that the cord plugs into an outlet with a 15 amp breaker, you would have about 1500 watts available. If your bulbs are 5 watts each, you could have 1500/5=300 bulbs in theory. The acid test is to plug in the lights and if the breaker goes......... Have a great Xmas.
I hope you will appreciate my light hearted reply when I say that I have snow all over my boat to celebrate. It would be a lot better celebration if it didn't last for for 5 months, but then we also say that blaming everything on winter is just another "snow job" To reply to your question about the number of lights (the Griswolds would be proud), we use the formula that power(watts) equals volts X amps. Assuming about 110 volts and that the cord plugs into an outlet with a 15 amp breaker, you would have about 1500 watts available. If your bulbs are 5 watts each, you could have 1500/5=300 bulbs in theory. The acid test is to plug in the lights and if the breaker goes......... Have a great Xmas.
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Rick
Boat lights
Here on SF bay we have the annual "lighted boat parade" every December, usually the first Saturday night of the month. Judging from what I've seen there is no limit to the number of lights that can be put on a boat. Typical arrangements include icicle type lights from the lifelines and multiple strings decending from the mast so that the whole boat looks like a christmas tree. Other more elaborate schemes include wire-frame structures mounted all over the boat with lights on the frame to give the appearance of sleighs, trains and just about anything imaginable. Both powerboat and sailboats participate and everbody motors slowly thru the parade. Most of these elaborate displays prevent the use of sails. This annual event usually attracts hundreds of boats with prizes awarded for several catagories. Just because this is California dont assume that we are all out there in t-shirts and shorts. It usually is cold enough to wear heavy layers of clothes but not so cold that the water gets hard like some places. The biggest parade is in the estuary - its like a river between Alameda island and the Oakland waterfront. There are restraunts and businesses on both shores (usually with guest docks). The waterway is about .5 miles wide through here and with hundreds of brightly decorated lighted boats going by it is quite a sight to see. We like to sit upstairs at Chevys (Mexican food) restraunt and work on a pitcher of margueritas while watching the parade. Many of the boats use portable generators on deck to supply the necessary power for all the lights. Boat crews usually wear costumes - lots of Santas and elves. Also christmas trees on deck and spotlights to highlight nativity scenes, large sound systems playing christmas music, etc. After the parade when the boats return to their marinas there is usually decorated boat contests at the individual marinas the following weekend with their own small parades. Remember that christmas lights are not legal navigation lights. Motoring to and from the parade route you should only show your normal night-time running lights.
Here on SF bay we have the annual "lighted boat parade" every December, usually the first Saturday night of the month. Judging from what I've seen there is no limit to the number of lights that can be put on a boat. Typical arrangements include icicle type lights from the lifelines and multiple strings decending from the mast so that the whole boat looks like a christmas tree. Other more elaborate schemes include wire-frame structures mounted all over the boat with lights on the frame to give the appearance of sleighs, trains and just about anything imaginable. Both powerboat and sailboats participate and everbody motors slowly thru the parade. Most of these elaborate displays prevent the use of sails. This annual event usually attracts hundreds of boats with prizes awarded for several catagories. Just because this is California dont assume that we are all out there in t-shirts and shorts. It usually is cold enough to wear heavy layers of clothes but not so cold that the water gets hard like some places. The biggest parade is in the estuary - its like a river between Alameda island and the Oakland waterfront. There are restraunts and businesses on both shores (usually with guest docks). The waterway is about .5 miles wide through here and with hundreds of brightly decorated lighted boats going by it is quite a sight to see. We like to sit upstairs at Chevys (Mexican food) restraunt and work on a pitcher of margueritas while watching the parade. Many of the boats use portable generators on deck to supply the necessary power for all the lights. Boat crews usually wear costumes - lots of Santas and elves. Also christmas trees on deck and spotlights to highlight nativity scenes, large sound systems playing christmas music, etc. After the parade when the boats return to their marinas there is usually decorated boat contests at the individual marinas the following weekend with their own small parades. Remember that christmas lights are not legal navigation lights. Motoring to and from the parade route you should only show your normal night-time running lights.
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Joe D
Boat lights in Winter?
Go ahead rub it in! Most of us in the Northeast have our boats tucked away for the winter season. Five more months
Go ahead rub it in! Most of us in the Northeast have our boats tucked away for the winter season. Five more months
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Rick Webb
This Will Get You
We did not go out sailing the other day because it was too warm. We decided to wait for a nicer day and went Christmas shopping in the air conditioned mall instead.
We did not go out sailing the other day because it was too warm. We decided to wait for a nicer day and went Christmas shopping in the air conditioned mall instead.
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners
You want lights?
We have a great group of (mostly) powerboaters that light up the Columbia River every year. They have all sorts of shapes
We have a great group of (mostly) powerboaters that light up the Columbia River every year. They have all sorts of shapes
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Ron Parkes
Just Finished
John, I asked the same question here a few weeks ago and got a variety of answers. Finally, I decided that I wanted a full set that I could "drive" off an inverter and use away from the dock in our annual boat light parade (12-15). I was able to locate a lightset by GE that has 100 minibulbs and draws 42 watts (at 110v) per string. I put 6 sets on Contemplation (a Hunter 320). Each set is about 45 feet long. The lights go from the mast base to the bow to the top of the mast to the back of the boom and then along the boom back to the mast - very nice (2 sets). Then I used 3 sets to outline the top and bottom safety lines on both sides. Then I used 1 set for a wreath on the back (hung from the aft safety line) and double lines across the back. It looks really great when lit! Next step, buy a 300 watt inverter from West Marine for about $50. Ron Parkes Contemplation - h 320
John, I asked the same question here a few weeks ago and got a variety of answers. Finally, I decided that I wanted a full set that I could "drive" off an inverter and use away from the dock in our annual boat light parade (12-15). I was able to locate a lightset by GE that has 100 minibulbs and draws 42 watts (at 110v) per string. I put 6 sets on Contemplation (a Hunter 320). Each set is about 45 feet long. The lights go from the mast base to the bow to the top of the mast to the back of the boom and then along the boom back to the mast - very nice (2 sets). Then I used 3 sets to outline the top and bottom safety lines on both sides. Then I used 1 set for a wreath on the back (hung from the aft safety line) and double lines across the back. It looks really great when lit! Next step, buy a 300 watt inverter from West Marine for about $50. Ron Parkes Contemplation - h 320
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