MacGregorSailors.com

Go ahead if your a self made Millionaire and spend a $100+ of LED Spreader Lights from any of the Marine supplies OR!!!!!
Discount Auto has All Plastic weather proof LED running lights for gang bangers cars for only $19.95
These have worked GREAT for me and produce a LOT of deck lighting and draw so little current you can hardly measure the draw with a FLUKE Meter!!!! BTW they are the size of a golf ball and light up easy and very nicely, the middle 1/3 of my boat .
Worked on the WW&S for 3 months in SW Florida, in Salt Water Environment and they still look and work like new !

I'm looking for those for my stern light. The bow LEDs are almost low cost enough for me but the sternlight is way out of price range. I know the flaat LED fo gangbanger cars will not pass USCG stuff, angle and all but might be bright enough, I'm going to do it! Thanks for the mod!
Mike Inmon

mikelinmon wrote:I'm looking for those for my stern light. The bow LEDs are almost low cost enough for me but the sternlight is way out of price range. I know the flaat LED fo gangbanger cars will not pass USCG stuff, angle and all but might be bright enough, I'm going to do it! Thanks for the mod!
Mike Inmon

Here is an eye opener if ever the was one.
I bought the LED Lighted switches at Discount Auto as well and the first night I turned on my spreader lights and went up to look and I came back down and that @#$% led switch literally BLINDED ME is was so bright!!! I NOW have 2 layers of 3m 33+ over the anchor and the spreader switches so I can sleep in the aft berth with them on!!! BTW they still glow through 2 layers of 33+. They come in Red Yellow Blue and Green.
Side Bar:
I was on the island at Pelican Bay and had on both those lights as they draw nothing and the anchor I needed by law and common sense said .... light up the boat for after dark re-entry. I had slid the factory companionway hatch in place and while on the island with the tape off of those two tiny led's I could see them thru the windows 200 yards away lighting / glowing inside my boat.
Another Bozo mod I made was Solar yard lights on 3/4" PVC post 2'long attached but removable from my stanchions and the rear mast rest. for $25 my boat looks like a Christmas tree at night and no one will hit me..... at anchor .
There are now 3 seldom used sail boats in Matlacha Fl. with solar yard lights showing where they sit in the bay , every night requiring no maintenance what so ever....

Batteries are the weak point on solar yard lights. still.. they are NICE!!!!

dvideohd wrote:Batteries are the weak point on solar yard lights. still.. they are NICE!!!!

and a cheap point as well . If you experiment as I have over the years you will see that a cheap Costco not walmart 20 cent standard aa battery works just fine for a couple years when used to replace rechargeables......

If everyone is looking for good deals do not forget Boaters World is going out of buisness right now there is 20-50% off

Matt19020 wrote:If everyone is looking for good deals do not forget Boaters World is going out of business right now there is 20-50% off

So Far Here and in Florida the ad is misleading at best.... very little is really on sale... even 20% let alone 50% much like when other Big Box Stores have closed down shop the bargains they claimed at the begining dont seem to really appear till its close to the end. Just IMHO and from hours I have wasted...... But hey who says guys dont like to shop and look and maybe just maybe find a sweat deal in the process

We don't get everything in Australia that you seem to have available in the US, could you post a pic or link so we can see what the LED lights look like.

Glenn

Go ahead if your a self made Millionaire and spend a $100+ of LED Spreader Lights from any of the Marine supplies OR!!!!!
Discount Auto has All Plastic weather proof LED running lights for gang bangers cars for only $19.95............

Anybody got a link for these LEDs so we all know what you were talking about?

Thanks in anticipation.

pacamac

C130 and i were at a boat jumble last sunday,there was a stall there selling LED,s at affordable prices,ill grab the flyer tommorrow and get you their details

Quote " will not pass USCG stuff"

Deck lights on the spreaders for lighting the deck only do not have to pass "authorities" regulations, as they are not NAVIGATION lights. Providing they do not show sideways, but only straight down. They may require shading of some form.
Are the rules in the US different from Australia?
Its a good idea and I'll be getting some...Puggsy

Can one use deck lights when sailing or motoring? I was thinking they could only be used at dock or at anchor...not underway.

Is there a rule for that?

Jim

Jim,

I would think they could be used underway. Otherwise, a lot of cruise ships and ferries are doing a lot of "no-nos".

Ken

I believe that Rule 20 applies.
RULE 20
APPLICATION
(a) Rules in this part shall be complied with in all weathers.

(b) The Rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise, and during such times no other lights shall be exhibited, except such lights which cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in these Rules or do not impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out.

in the FAQs reguarding lights
14. Can I use Strobe Lights to be more visible at night? For any other lights beyond those specifically defined within the Navigation Rules they should be such lights as cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in these Rules, or do not impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out (Rule 20).

Displaying a strobe for “higher visibility” would confuse other vessels as to your navigational status (many aids to navigation use a strobe or flashing). Also, lights provide direction and aspect information to other boat operators. For example, if while operating my vessel I see a red light on my starboard side I know I am the give-way vessel (Rule 16, 17). The use of a strobe light could overwhelm a vessel’s navigation lights and cease to provide such crucial direction and aspect information to other boat operators.

Also, Rule 36 of the International Rules addresses signals to attract attention and for the purpose of [that] rule the use of high intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be avoided. Rule 37 of the Inland Rules addresses strobes in regards to distress signals so that when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use…a high intensity white light flashing at regular intervals from 50 to 70 times per minute.

too many lights ( is there really such a thing?) and no lights at all.
During my trip I saw both. I more often saw no lights than , what might, by some be considered too many lights.
I anchored out for 37 nights or there about, and my vessel might have well fallen into, the too many lights category.
At night , before the sun goes down I have my mast top mounted, CG approved LED anchor light on. I also have 5 stainless solar " Yard Lamps " distributed around the perimeter of my vessel. One thing is for sure! If your coming into a harbor or a bay , you'll have no excuse for running into my boat. I was amazed at the numbers of boats, both sail and power that come in after dark. I was amazed at the number of boats coming into Pelican Bay at a very rapid rate of speed , after dark with few if any lights at all. Its legal to run and sail with just the minimum of running lights but IMHO its not safe for you or others and surly isn't prudent.
Back to the subject at hand, Spreader Lights.
I am sorry but I have failed to find a link to pictures showing what I have installed. I bought them at Discount Auto Supply , a chain store for after market auto stuff. Kids use them for the front of their cars, I assume for glamour, more than function, as best I can tell. I say that because IMHO they do not produce enough light for anything much more than that on an Auto. BUT they are great for what I have been using them for. Suffice to say they are the size of a golf ball . They are entirely plastic and sealed from the element's. They swivel on a flat bracket with the use of one nut and bolt. I choose to replace the nuts and bolts with what I was sure were stainless steel Nuts and bolts and they have yet to show any signs of rust or corrosion. They are mounted on the spreaders approx. one foot either side of the mast.
When do I use them? At night , go figure and so far , I have only used them, when I have been at anchor.