The purpose of spreader lights is to light up the deck at night, as when doing things like reefing the main. I also use mine to light up the deck when at the dock and taking aboard passengers or loading/unloading gear. My "spreader" lights are Forespar lights that attach to the mast instead of under the spreaders. I believe they were originally 10 watt lights, but I've replaced the incandescent bulbs with LEDs that produce about the same level of light.
I also have a combination foredeck and steaming light mounted higher on the front of the mast. The foredeck light gets used when working on the foredeck to set or retrieve the anchor or to rig/douse the asymmetrical spinnaker. IIRC it was 20 watts and has also been changed to an LED with a reflector. Gives bright work light on the foredeck, but pretty useless for lighting the side decks and further aft, and has no value whatsoever when at the dock. I did discover another use for the foredeck light one night on a friend's boat when his steaming light was out. The foredeck light reflected pretty strongly off the top of his radar dome, and lit up the headsail when motor sailing. SO we ran it as a temporary substitute for the inop steaming light. Rick Brass Washington, NC -----Original Message----- From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Bradley Lumgair via CnC-List Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2015 2:07 PM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Cc: Bradley Lumgair <lumg...@hotmail.com> Subject: Stus-List Spreader lights This has been bothering me all summer, there are wires hanging out of my mast just under the spreaders (first set) it's obvious that someone has removed the original spreader lights. I've been looking online at the multitude of LED spreader lights available, and am wondering just how useful they are, especially when they are so incredibly bright. What do you have? Do you use them? Are they only used when at the slip? Would a spotlight or two be more useful up there? I think I saw a red/white combo light somewhere, would that be a better choice? Thanks Brad 1985 C&C 33 MKII "Pulse" Sent, miraculously through cyberspace, from my iPad! _______________________________________________ Email address: CnC-List@cnc-list.com To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go to the bottom of page at: http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com _______________________________________________ Email address: CnC-List@cnc-list.com To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go to the bottom of page at: http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com
