Navigation Lights

[1970Columbia34]

Were are re-wiring our mast and was reading the the newest Good Old boat about navigation lights, my orginal plan was to remove the fwd facing masthead light that is half way up the mast and switch to a top of mast light that has the choice of just the fwd half on or all around on for while at anchor. And the usual red, green and white stern light. What should I do keep the mast head light half way up the mast and just all around light at the top or switch to the combo light at the top. Thinking of using this light... http://www.starmarinedepot.com/detai...duct_id=PE1828

Scott

[taandel]

Scott:

I use the light that you have shown as your choice and installed it in 2002. I like both being at the top of the mast as i can see the top of the mast at night and be comfortable with bridge clearance, etc.

Of course, the other thought is that if the mid-mast running light works for you, why go thru the trouble and cost of changing?

Tim

[1970Columbia34]

Well the re-wire is the biggest cost and that light is only $24 so the cost is not the big factor, I more or less want to do it right while we have the mast down.

[Valiente]

Just as a side point: my Windex has a little light on a separate circuit that casts a surprising amount of light at the mast top, but isn't readily visible from the dock.

It's interesting to see a "tri-colour" thread that doesn't include the words "expensive" and "LED" and "COLREGS approved".

[1970Columbia34]

The mast spreaders each have a light that shines down on the deck to give you working light if needed. I thought about the Tri-color but wow, I will stick with the good old version of boat navigation lighting.

[trantor12020]

I believe there's Colregs on use of tri-color with boats of certain length. you'll have to check to see your other modification comply with Colregs.

[Ronbye]

That forward facing mast light half way up the mast is often referred to as a steaming light. It must be on when you are motoring at night. I stand to be corrected, but you not allowed to have a steaming light at the top of the mast. There are some mfgr's out there that make a combination steaming light and deck light in one unit. I have one. I would not move the steaming light up to the top.

[txmatt]

Doing a quick search on Lord Google, I found this which is in line with what I recall reading before:

http://www.auxetrain.org/lights2.html

Is this incorrect? I plan to install a combination masthead/anchor light at the top of my mast before I launch in a couple of weeks. From the pictures on that site it seems that the top of the mast is fine.

[1970Columbia34]

so as this reads http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...1/navlight.htm

[pigslo]

Have you considered LEDs as they are getting better, cheaper, and are misers for electricity?
pigslo