Definitions of lights on control panel - S2 8.0

[overholtzer]

Hello!

I am the proud new owner of a 1978 S2 8.0.

The boat has a control panel with five toggles, labeled thus:
- Anchor light
- Running lights
- Masthead light
- Cabin lights
- Misc.

Seems simple enough.

The running lights and cabin lights switch seem to work properly (i.e., the running light switch turn on the red and green lights at the bow, and the white light on the transom...and the cabin light switch allows the cabin lights to function).

My question is this - what is the difference between "anchor light" and "masthead light"? Neither seem to work.

I assume this: The anchor light switch is supposed to turn on a white 360-degree light at the very top of the mast. But if that is the anchor light, when what is the masthead light?

As a side note, there is another S2 in the harbor that has a (white?) light mounted on the front of the mast...my boat doesn't have this particular light (although there is a bracket or something up there at the location)...is this the masthead light?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Bret O.
Lenexa, KS

[camaraderie]

You are correct...the masthead light is usually on the front of the mast and is often referred to as the steaming light. Yours apparently is MIA...but you need one if you plan to motor at night.

[hellosailor]

It sounds like someone just stuck on the closest labels they could find. Your "masthead" switch could be for a steaming light (as Cam mentions) but some boats mount a combination steaming/deck light on the forward side of the mast. This is one fixture about the size of a beer can, with two bulbs and sections in it. One to shine down on your deck, the other a steaming light. They are usually controlled by two switches (although one 2-way switch and some diodes can also be used).
Bulbs burn out, and sockets corrode. Could be the switches are fine but the bulbs burned out, or there are other problems. When you replace the bulb, clean the socket and put some silicon grease in it to prevent future problems.

[overholtzer]

Thanks, Guys.

Steaming light! I bet that is what the other S2 in the harbor has. The fixture looks like a beer can hanging from the bottom of a bracket about 2/3'rds up the mast.

I'm replacing all the SPST switches in the panel, and will do a continuity trace out to the connectors on the deck out by the mast step.

Thanks, guys!

[camaraderie]

Over...sometimmes a steaming light is combined with a deck illumination light in the same fixture...but with 2 different switches on the braker panel. That is probably what you are looking at with the beer can! Example: