--- John Fleming <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Doug Kelch wrote:
> >
> > I am thinking of putting masthead running lights
> on my
> > M15 so that I can be seen better at night among
> the
> > swells on the way to the Dry Tortugas.
> >
> > In looking at the catalogs there is nothing that
> jumps
> > out at me. Any thoughts?
> >
> > I currently have no lights or battery.
> >
> > Doug
> > "Seas the Day"
>
> Lights can be a little complicated. I did some
> research for this when I
> rewired "Star Cross'd". These seem to be the
> official rules.
>
> Masthead tricolors can only be used when sailing (no
> power).
>
> An anchor light (all-around white) must be put at
> the top of the mast,
> as high up as possible. Preferably above the mast
> head.
>
> When "steaming" (motoring), you cannot use a
> masthead tricolor light.
> You must have a red/green bicolor up front,
> preferably mounted on the
> bow pulpit. You must have a "masthead light", which
> is a 225-degree
> coverage white light facing forward, at least 2/3 up
> the mast. On the
> stern, you must have a stern light, a white light
> that covers 135 degrees.
>
>
> So if you don't have a masthead tricolor, when under
> sail (no power),
> just turn off the 225-degree white masthead.
> Vessels under sail only
> require bicolors up front, and a stern light.
> ---
>
> Those are the rules. Here's how you can implement
> them. You can get
> detachable battery (D-cell) operated bicolors and
> stern lights from West
> Marine. I think AquaColor makes them. They come
> with suction cups or
> mounting brackets, or you can fashion your own. You
> can get an anchor
> light that you run up the mast using a halyard,
> although the mast will
> block it from dead ahead or dead aft, depending on
> which halyard you
> used. The anchor light has a cable running down to
> the cockpit. Just
> use one of those sportsmen 12-volt disposable
> batteries.
>
> As for the motoring masthead light, just use the
> anchor light, and tape
> over with duct tape or make your own detachable
> shield, so that the
> light covers 225 degrees. When you run that up the
> mast, it must be in
> the front of the mast, and it can't rock and sway as
> the boat does. So
> I suggest making a bracket that both holds the
> masthead light against
> the mast, and provides the shield.
>
> Hope this helps. It has to be right, or the
> Coasties can give you a
> ticket. But more important, when sailing at night,
> stay awake, stay
> alert, always look around every 3 or 4 minutes, and
> remember the rule of
> tonnage. Don't assume the other boat sees you.
> When you're a third
> mate drowsing the night away on the bridge of some
> rust-bucket garbage
> scow freight vessel registered in Liberia, it's easy
> to not see the
> cockle-shell sailboat just ahead.
>
> And for a little bit of friendly advice, you should
> think seriously
> about putting permanent lights on, run from an
> internal battery, if
> you're going to make open-ocean night passages.
> Detachable lights have
> a way of, well, detaching, or getting lost. They're
> really meant for
> when your regular lights don't work, and you
> temporarily need a backup.
>
> I hope you have fun in the Tortugas. I'm jealous, I
> wish we had
> something like that here on the southern Left coast.
>
> Cheers.
> John Fleming
> M-17: "Star Cross'd". John/Doug, First off Doug,
you should keep your brightest handheld
flashlight/spotlight in the cockpit w/ you at night
when 'offshore' sailing. The reason being, is that it
is THE most effective way to 'light yourself (boat)
up' at night if you feel 'endangered' by any other
shipping traffic. You do this by shing the light onto
as much of your sails as possible, you'll figure the
right angle after you practice it a few times. It's
something you should be doing AS SOON as you see
another vessel; so as to give their lookout, who as
John pointed out, may or may not be dosing off, plenty
of radio time to figure out your course. A handheld/or
mike off your base set vhf should also be in your
cockpit at night, as well as your water or other
drink, and a bite to eat, so as to not have to leave
the helm and go below. I think John meant to say 'Aqua
Signal brand, and he is refering to inflateable dinghy
type flashlight style lights. There is another brand
that is 'supposed to be' brighter, but A'S's are
reliable, though not long burning if left on more than
a few hours a night. Hella Marine makes nice small
stalk mounted anchor/masthead lights. Check 'em out at
defender.com, ok, my friend Mr Stephen Lance owns
Defender, (there's the disclaimer), and I, as well as
the USCG, does alot of business w/ Defender. Any
problems w/ an order Mr Lance Personally wants to know
:) You should check into the lightest mast head
lights, as the more weight/windage you put up there
the more of a pain it becomes.....Take it away
Connie/Todd LOL
Come'on John, drag your 17 down to Puerto
Penasco,Mexico, and go sailing from there to those
nooks an' crannies, all the 'ole time M'boater's
haunted. Go find my friend Tony Davis in Peoria, he'll
go with you! He had the 17 that went to Hawaii! Years
ago I must add, but he haunts Lake pleasant these
days. Matter of fact HE's the guy who found, and
trailered me my M17 B'day present this past yr!! :)
As A Coastie I of course would NEVER
issue a ticket to a fellow M'boater, STERN WARNING
yes, ticket no. Heck, I've made lots of my fellow
Coasties into sailors, by leaving my sailing mags on
the mess deck! Hee, Hee, Sure fellas' take 'em home,
let the Mrs see all those tropical beaches,
hee,hee......Uh, these lonnnnng watchstandings must be
a' gettin' to me! :) LOL Man it's colddddddd
out here underway in the NorthEast! Be glad you're NOT
out here, even in our 'Mustangs'(cold weather float
gear) it's hard to be out of the cabin for more than a
few minutes. Glad most of the season's boat sinkin's
are through, a few lobsterman still out, not many. Now
all we have are the ferries, and Patrol to contend
with :) Can't tell any tales here.....but don't miss
the next m'boat rendevous on the East Coast, Oh
brother! Gotta go, my turn to Rack out! Eugene Your
fellow m'boat Coastie!
>
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