Anchor Light on an X

[Gypsy]

I am in the process of rewiring my 2000
We anchor out quite often and the first thing I noticed about the boat , is there is no way to " light that can be seen all around " , as the rules states .
You can turn on the masthead light , but that doesn't cover the stern . if you turn on the stern white light , you also turn on the Nav lights , which is agaisnt the rules for an anchored boat .
Untill now , we have hung a LED lantern in the rigging , and mounted some LED solar lights in the stern.

Part of my rewiring is to put the stern white light on its own switch , so I can turn on the mast light and stern light , and leave off the red/green Nav lights . This should satisfy the law . Of course I will also use the solar lights and whatever else , as their is no such thing as to much light when you are anchored.

What does everyone else do ?
Did Mac change this in later models ?

[Trouts Dream]

I have a 1997 X and I ran an extra wire to the mast head and installed an LED all round anchor light. With the LED I can leave it on all night and hardly notice any draw on the batteries. If you anchor a lot I would be cautious of having 2 of the old bulb lights on all night. I also feel very comfortable knowing my light is high enough to be seen by all but the drunkest night time driver.

[vkmaynard]

This works great.

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewt ... 542#p87542

Victor

[Gypsy]

I have a 1997 X and I ran an extra wire to the mast head and installed an LED all round anchor light. With the LED I can leave it on all night and hardly notice any draw on the batteries. If you anchor a lot I would be cautious of having 2 of the old bulb lights on all night. I also feel very comfortable knowing my light is high enough to be seen by all but the drunkest night time driver.

You basically put a round light on top of the mast ?
Did you add an additional switch for this light , or just tie into the masthead light ?

[Trouts Dream]

On my X I installed a seperate circuit of basically a small round button switch and imbedded it in the head banger fuse assembly at just above the front berth.
I major point is that an all round LED on top of the mast reduces power load while increasing visibility.

This year I need to wrap some tie wraps at 1 foot increments (alternating) to reduce the inside mast slapping.

[hoaglandr]

FWIW I purchased a "HELLA LED 360 ANCHOR LIGHT" from defender and plan on installing it on the mast this winter. Some have connected it to the same wire as the mast light using diodes and a switch. Others have used a separate wire and either added another thru hull connection or have gone to a 4-pin (?) connection. Haven't decided which way I am gonna go. Lots of good information around the forum if you find the right threads.

Russell

[Cris]

I created a mount for an anchor light that allows me to attach a removeable wind vane: http://macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=262.

This past season I substituted an all-around LED bulb for the original one. For power I have a dedicated line that exits the mast foot with the same type of plug as for the factory masthead light. I simply plug one or the other in the receptacle, depending on my need at the time.

[Divecoz]

Yes there is Russ...
I ran another set of wires up the mast for my anchor light . It was easy.. carefull about that wire slap inside the mast .. I found that attempting to draw the wire tight makes its worse ..I used thin walled PVC 1/2 and left it in for future wiring(?) I have an Attwood LED for that.. Speaking of LED Spreader Lights 12V. LED "Spot" lights for cars like you see the Kids using, in and under their grills... Discount Auto joints all had them for around $25 a pair and they work Maaaavalus..and their fully ajustable and weather / water resistant too.

FWIW I purchased a "HELLA LED 360 ANCHOR LIGHT" from defender and plan on installing it on the mast this winter. Some have connected it to the same wire as the mast light using diodes and a switch. Others have used a separate wire and either added another thru hull connection or have gone to a 4-pin (?) connection. Haven't decided which way I am gonna go. Lots of good information around the forum if you find the right threads.

Russell

[capncarp]

Just for clarification. A masthead light is not the light on top of the mast. A masthead light is mounted on the front(face) of the mast and is used for motoring. Sometimes called a steaming light. The light on top of the mast is your anchor or all around light. Masthead lights are required to be visible for 3nm and anchor light for 2nm.
capncarp,

[Rick Westlake]

I put an "Orca Green Marine" anchor light at the top of my mast. This is for laying at anchor.

I also have the AquaSignal "steaming light" on the front of my mast, for running under power.

One could actually satisfy the law, at anchor, by hanging a "2-mile-range" 360-degree light from the forestay, high enough that it would not be obscured by the furled mainsail on the boom - only by the mast itself. Good example = a Davis "Mega Light" or a Den Haan kerosene anchor light.

The masthead light is fine 2 miles out, but too high to be useful to a dinghy-driver who is 100 yards or less from your boat. I have a couple of solar lights that I clip to the lifeline rails, so they'll be low enough to be visible from a nearby dinghy or rowboat.

Suspenders are useful just in case your belt breaks - whereas the belt will keep up your pants if your suspenders give way....

[vizwhiz]

Rick, that's a cool thought - I was wondering if anyone just put a battery-powered LED light on the halyard and raised it up the mast instead of dealing with all the wiring...

And I like the idea of having both lights with wires, just plug in the one that you need...

Y'all are SMART!!

[Catigale]

...and just to clarify a minor legal point, the captain of the vessel is responsible for displaying the correct nav lights, even if the manufacturer left them off...

Most inland use of the boat doesn't require anchor lights when anchoring, so Roger left anchor lights off...which is reasonable IMHO.

On Cuttyhunk, i notice about half the boats light up in the mooring field, and most do in the anchor field off shore. I don't use my light in the pond.

[K9Kampers]

Cat prefers a bacon light instead!

[Russ]

I would not use the steaming light and stern light. Although technically it may be legal (not 100% sure) it would be a heavy drain on the batts.

LEDs are the way to go. It's easy to find LED anchor lights. Most boating stores have 'em and even on eBay. Draw next to nothing.

Rather than run another wire up the mast and through the cabin I changed out the steaming light (and all running lights) with LEDs. This allows me to share the same 2 wires, through deck fittings, etc. for the anchor light on top of the mast. Fishing the wire through the mast to the steaming light was tricky but I think the X is easier.
See this wiring diagram. Works great.

Now before I installed the mast light I used one of these battery powered deals. I changed out the bulb for LED so it lasts forever. Total investment was about $20.


You can see it above my boom on the backstay.


I still have it as a backup.

Then the question came up for me about visibility. My mast head light is visible from afar, but what about those fisherman that come out at 4am? Would they be looking up? Would my blue hull blend in with the water? So I supplemented the masthead legal light with a couple of solar landscaping lights ($3 wallyworld). They light up the cockpit at night (for nightly visits to the head) and give my boat something lit up lower to the waterline.


--Russ

[Divecoz]

That's Sure Is...a Pretty Shot of your boat Russ....
Do you have a main sail cover ?
Anchor Lights? Legal or not ? I am with you on.... the more the better! I have anchored many times where they were needed I felt and where there were Park Rangers and other authorities present , and no one ever said... I was in Non Conformance.. with too many lights at anchor.. Just the opposite was mentioned.. Solar Lights last all night and LEDs draw almost Nothing and last for years........