Re: M_Boats: Nav lights at top of mast

[Rik Sandberg]

My M-15 has red and green lights mounted on the hull in front and a 
white light (shines back only) mounted on the transom. If I were going 
to do it according to the book, I think I would also need a steaming 
light for motoring. This would be an all-round white light that is 
mounted higher than the red and green (bow) and rear facing white lights 
that are needed for use under sail power. The problem with a mast head 
light is it isn't really a legal light for use under motor power, since 
you cannot mount an all-round white light, with enough separation, 
higher than the mast head light. Keep in mind, it's possible I am not 
interpreting this right.

Fortunately on boats as small as M 15s and 17s, the rules are pretty loose.
Given my choice, I would mount my nav lights on the hull or pulpits. 
There, the connections can be kept out of sun and rain and you don't 
have to worry about connecting/disconnecting the lights every time you 
put the mast up or down. You can always keep a good flashlight handy to 
shine on your sails if you think some one is not seeing you as well as 
you would like. That light coming on suddenly will catch their eye 
better than almost anything.

Rik
Howard Audsley wrote:
It seems to me that the combination masthead tri-color/all-around light does
the same thing as the original light setup on the M17's. Those are a bow
mounted red/green; stern mounted white light, and masthead all-around/anchor
light. These operate off two switches. It just puts them all in one place at
the top of the mast.....and eliminates wiring runs to the bow and
stern...and one bulb.
Another benefit of the masthead tri-color that might exist for night sailing
is having the light up high...out of your line of vision. Lights shining on
the sails may affect night vision, and the sails may block them from being
seen at some angles.
I also agree with John. The guys buzzing around in power boats and fishing
boats on our lake would not know what they were looking at with red and
green lights up that high. Some might mistake it as a UFO and take a shot at
it. 

Howard
On 12/11/04 7:29 AM, "Rick Langer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
 

Hi Connie,
I like the idea of simplicity, but I'm still stuck on what the white light
does.  Is it just a stern light or is it an all around white light?  If it's
just a stern light, what do you do when motoring and if it's an all around,
what do you do when sailing, not motoring?
If you were going to put nav lights on your M15, what would you choose?  Do
you think the masthead light and wires add much weight to the mast?
Thanks,
Rick
   


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