Anchor Light?

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 6:31 am

It has come to my attention that C26's didn't come with an anchor light. At least mine doesn't have one.

What have you done to add one?

NYCSAILOR · Post by **NYCSAILOR** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 8:03 am

You are right, I think all we have is a "steamer light" about 2/3rds up the mast...that you use when under power..

I have looked at the mast head, which is where the anchor light must go and I think there is not alot of room upr there and each additional item risks fouling the halyards and how often do you anchor out at night anyway.. so.... my plan is to use this...

http://www.davisnet.com/marine/products ... pnum=03300

the few times I truly need an anchor light.

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 8:55 am

We have a proper anchor light on Destiny however I also have one of these as a backup!

We have in busy anchorages raised this light with a halyard and pulled it back over the cockpit with a second line. Clip the second line above the light on the halyard so the light hangs flat since it sends most of its light on a plane.

An added benifit to this light is an excellent night light for the cockpit if you are just hanging out.

Scott

Gus · Post by **Gus** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 7:49 pm

My 22 came with a light from factory I'm sure. A friend has a deck/anchor light combo that I like a lot, it can probably be found in Defender.com

Gus

NYCSAILOR · Post by **NYCSAILOR** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:15 am

an anchor light is at the very top of the mast and is 360 degrees for 2 nm.

a steamer light is about 2/3rds up the mast and only faces forward with about 180 deg. for 2 nm.

the combo lights that we like have a steamer light forward and a downward facing deck light to illuminate the foredeck for work at night... they are great and independently switchable and I think you only need to run three wires to it since I think they share a nuetral....

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:55 pm

tnc110 · Post by **tnc110** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 4:19 pm

Check out "(e)" 7m=23'....so we dont have to have an anchor light at all??? I think they need to make this a little more clear as to what is required for us.

I personally would not anchor with out...never know when boozin bob is gonna be out in the middle of the night runnin around.

RULE 30: ANCHORED VESSELS AND VESSELS AGROUND

RULE 31: SEAPLANES

Rule 30
(a) A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen:

in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball;
at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light.
(b) A vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule.

(c) A vessel at anchor may, and a vessel of 100 meters and more in length shall, also use the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate her decks.

(d) A vessel aground shall exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Rule and in addition, if practicable, [Inld] where they can best be seen;

two all-round red lights in a vertical line;
three balls in a vertical line.
(e) A vessel of less than 7 meters in length, when at anchor not in or near a narrow channel, fairway or where other vessels normally navigate, shall not be required to exhibit the shape prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Rule.

(f) A vessel of less than 12 meters in length, when aground, shall not be required to exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in subparagraphs (d)(i) and (ii) of this Rule.

(g) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length, when at anchor in a special anchorage area designated by the Secretary, shall not be required to exhibit the anchor lights and shapes required by this Rule. [Inld]

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:02 am

You are correct, C22's are not REQUIRED to show an anchor signal, but it would probably be a good idea anyway.

It is required for C26's.

Mario G · Post by **Mario G** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:14 am

For the 3 nights we anchored we had a LED light on our bow and stern none of the PB's would have been looking for a mast light.

These are the lights you stick on anything and are push the lens to turn on and off, the wife put up 3 inside and 2 out..we could see...lol

C-22
Southern wind

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:20 am

tgentry wrote:You are correct, C22's are not REQUIRED to show an anchor signal, but it would probably be a good idea anyway.

It is required for C26's.

I would use EXTREME caution with this statement. The key word in paragraph (e) is SHAPE IN all tests I took there was a huge difference between shape and light. You could have an excellent lawyer on the other end of a lawsuit that recognizes this.

(e) A vessel of less than 7 meters in length, when at anchor not in or near a narrow channel, fairway or where other vessels normally navigate, shall not be required to exhibit the shape prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Rule.

Also look at paragraph (G).
(g) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length, when at anchor in a special anchorage area designated by the Secretary, shall not be required to exhibit the anchor lights and shapes required by this Rule. [Inld]

Have you ever looked up a "Special Anchorage" as designated by the Secretary?? They are not what you think!!!!! These "Special areas" are designed for huge ocean going vessels. They are usually in the hudereds of feet deep and have ships that are hundereds of feet long! You'd be an absolute fool to anchor in a 'Special Area" with a private yacht or a C22. You would likely get run down! YOu also don't likely carry enough rode. I carry 100' of chain and 200' of rope tied to a 45lb bruce on Destiny. This is not enough for the "Special Area" outside of Everett Wa.

When you look at a chart cruising guide that points out anchorages, these ARE NOT "special designated" anchorages!!!!!!

When I drop anchor in a quiet harbor with 50 plus boats and most have no lights, I not only turn my anchor light on but I turn on my fordeck AND cockpit lights!! I want to be seen!! go ahead, hit the other guy.
( nothing personal )
Scott

PS: Sorry to nit pick but I do not want anyone to be anchoring without lights. It is absolutely foolish.

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:32 am

Cap'n Scott, I stand corrected. Your excellent eye for detail, and nautical knowledge are astounding.

NYCSAILOR · Post by **NYCSAILOR** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:44 am

the shark is right!

also don't use your "steamer light" in place of a anchor light... it will be confusing and it won't be seen from aft... cabin lights are not good for 2nm and we have curtains or tinted windows... I see guys rely on solar powered landscaping lights lashed to the stanchions of teh cockpit... unreal, they are not bright enough AND they don't have enough reserve power to make it through thte whole night and they quickly fade in illumination as their batteries drain...

Also don't think it is a big PB that will run you down...i see most often, late night revelers coming back into the anchorage in high speed dinghys in the darkness of night smack right into the hull of a boat with no illumination...like hitting a wall... do they all have life jackets.. ( when was the last time you saw adults or even with kids in a dinghy going back to his/her boat at anchor actually wearing lifejackets...) NO... are they drunk..guess.

shunt1 · Post by **shunt1** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:32 pm

Ok, now I am rather confused about the legal requirements.

When a C-22 is moored, does it still require a mast mounted light?

If so, I have no idea how to keep the battery charged. This does not sound logical, but with the government, who the heck knows.

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 6:55 pm

If you are on a perminant mooring bouy you are OK without a light however if you are at anchor, you a required to have a light. If you are staying aboard, run your light in either case. Play it safe.

If you are concerned, go to West Marine, Harbor freight, Freys, or whatever is close and get a small solar panel. put it in the sunny side window and hook it to your battery. They run 20-50 bucks. Then make sure you have an LED anchor light so the draw is minimal. That should work for you.

My little solar panel works perfectly for Lady Jo.

Scott

NYCSAILOR · Post by **NYCSAILOR** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 6:26 am

I use a solar panel too.. good to have on a sailboat in any case... with these marine LED anchor lights...your battery will barely know it is even on.. only at anchor.. I actually see people steaming with their mast head anchor lights on... thinking the more light the better.... OR anchoring with the steamer light on since they don't have an anchor light. or it is broken ....totally missing the point of nav lights and very confusing and dangerous.

We are very lucky in that our masts come down in winter... so each season we can make sure we have these lights and that they work right.

thepartydog · Post by **thepartydog** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:41 pm

I've seen a few configurations for a light sensitive switch for the anchor light also, that way if you are anchoring out long term, your anchor light will only be on after dark. One light has it as part of the light itself, and I've also found one that is a separate switch. Iirc both are offered at west marine.

bay surfer · Post by **bay surfer** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 6:57 pm

Anchor Light!!!! I have a 10$ SS LED garden light on my stern, look sweet, not CG approved, comes on at dusk goes off at dawn. Hell you can see it for miles, and does not drain your Batterys. So its on the stern low, power boats have there anchor light there.