mooring light

[john hoft-march]

I'm looking for information about installing a mooring light on a Typhoon - what kind of light, where does it go, and where do I get one. The boat has a battery & running lights, though nothing on the mast and no light for use under power (steaming light?).

I'm a new owner of a Typhoon, which I have yet to get into the water due to difficulties with my mooring - or, rather, the lack of water under it. I think I'll be able to move it into deeper water but will then be required to show a mooring light (the requirement is apparently based on distance from shore), hence the question.

Thanks.



john.hoft_march@appleton.org

[Richard Stephens]

John,

I have exactly the same requirement, and I am able to keep the authorities happy with a standalone garden "accent" light from Sears for about $25. It has a 2" solar panel charging a pair of AA nicads, which power an LED all night (if the previous day was sunny). I modified the housing to hang it off the backstay where I can leave it up when I go sailing.

I don't think it would last long in a salt water environment, but I am in fresh water. I also looked at the Davis "Mega Light", which is pretty efficient and turns on and off automatically. I would try to avoid wires up the mast if at all possible. An anchor light does not have to be at the masthead, so I would put it somewhere else more convenient.

Regards,
Richard (ty "Blue Diamond")



richard@memory-map.com

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

John,

I believe if you check the Coast Guard regulations you will find that a mooring(anchor) light or shape is ONLY required when you are anchored outside of an established mooring or anchorage field. So, you may not even need the light, depending on where you are. It almost sounds like you think that you would have to display this light at all times while you were at the mooring. Not only would this kill the average battery pretty quickly, but it is just not required.

If you anchor outside an established anchorage infrequently, I would purchase a battery powered all around light that you could haul up on a main or signal halyard, burn it for the night, and take it down in the morning.

From your description of the depth of water, I would guess that you are somewhere on the Great Lakes. Correct?

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30

[john hoft-march]

": From your description of the depth of water, I would guess that you are somewhere on the Great Lakes. Correct?"

Absolutely - I'm in Sturgeon Bay, and my mooring is in front of a friend's house, well away from an established mooring field. The water level has come back up a little since spring, but there's still only about 2 ft. at the mooring.

Thanks for the info. John



john.hoft_march@appleton.org

[sloopjohnl]

John,

check your local regs carefully also. here in PA the the fish and game commission allow a shoreside light (spotlight) shining on the boat/mooring to be sufficient up to 100 feet from shore.

I have exactly the same requirement, and I am able to keep the authorities happy with a standalone garden "accent" light from Sears for about $25. It has a 2" solar panel charging a pair of AA nicads, which power an LED all night (if the previous day was sunny). I modified the housing to hang it off the backstay where I can leave it up when I go sailing.

I don't think it would last long in a salt water environment, but I am in fresh water. I also looked at the Davis "Mega Light", which is pretty efficient and turns on and off automatically. I would try to avoid wires up the mast if at all possible. An anchor light does not have to be at the masthead, so I would put it somewhere else more convenient.

Regards,
Richard (ty "Blue Diamond")

[Tom]

I'm looking for information about installing a mooring light on a Typhoon - what kind of light, where does it go, and where do I get one. The boat has a battery & running lights, though nothing on the mast and no light for use under power (steaming light?).

I'm a new owner of a Typhoon, which I have yet to get into the water due to difficulties with my mooring - or, rather, the lack of water under it. I think I'll be able to move it into deeper water but will then be required to show a mooring light (the requirement is apparently based on distance from shore), hence the question.

Thanks.

John, I believe the CG regs say that it must be visible for two miles, but check before you quote me on that I haven't checked in awhile. If you want to make your own, here's what I did. Go to Radio Shack and in the bulb section you will find two tiny 12 volt white bulbs on a card for about $ 1.50. They draw only 70 or 80 milliamps. It would take a month or more to draw down a car battery using these tiny bulbs. They're about as big as a match head. They are sealed (i.e. waterproof) with two little wires sticking out the bottom. Attach one wire to each pole of a battery and voila anchor light with virtually no draw. Put them in a salt shaker or some glass or plastic with cut glass edges to diffuse the light a little and you have a nifty anchor light that will fit in your pocket. I hang mine from the back stay with an alligator clip and high enough to be seen all a round above the boom and furled sail. Total investment excluding the battery less than $ 5. I've been using one for 10 years and am still on the original bulbs. 12 volt LEDs work too.



TomCambria@mindspring.com

[john Danicic]

I'm looking for information about installing a mooring light on a Typhoon - what kind of light, where does it go, and where do I get one. The boat has a battery & running lights, though nothing on the mast and no light for use under power (steaming light?).

I'm a new owner of a Typhoon, which I have yet to get into the water due to difficulties with my mooring - or, rather, the lack of water under it. I think I'll be able to move it into deeper water but will then be required to show a mooring light (the requirement is apparently based on distance from shore), hence the question.

I adapted Tom's suggestion on my Typhoon and it works great. I replaced the standard light bulb in my all-around masthead anchor light with three of those little 12v LED lights. It puts out a bit less light then before but uses alot less juice. It is certainly within the spirit of the law.

Good luck. John Danicic Moana Hull 911

Thanks.

John, I believe the CG regs say that it must be visible for two miles, but check before you quote me on that I haven't checked in awhile. If you want to make your own, here's what I did. Go to Radio Shack and in the bulb section you will find two tiny 12 volt white bulbs on a card for about $ 1.50. They draw only 70 or 80 milliamps. It would take a month or more to draw down a car battery using these tiny bulbs. They're about as big as a match head. They are sealed (i.e. waterproof) with two little wires sticking out the bottom. Attach one wire to each pole of a battery and voila anchor light with virtually no draw. Put them in a salt shaker or some glass or plastic with cut glass edges to diffuse the light a little and you have a nifty anchor light that will fit in your pocket. I hang mine from the back stay with an alligator clip and high enough to be seen all a round above the boom and furled sail. Total investment excluding the battery less than $ 5. I've been using one for 10 years and am still on the original bulbs. 12 volt LEDs work too.

johndanicic@uswest.net

[John Vigor]

John:

There is no legal requirement for an anchor light on your boat. The federal regulations state: "A boat less than 7 meters (23 feet) in length, when at anchor NOT in or near a narrow channel, fairway, or anchorage, or where other vessels normally navigate, need not show an anchor light." In inland waters there are also charted "special anchorage areas" where no boat under 20 meters (66 feet) has to show an anchor light.

However, you'd be wise to carry an anchor light because there might be many occasions when you are anchored in the situations mentioned above, and you'll sleep a lot easier if you know fast powerboats and fishing boats returning in the dark can actually see you.

John Vigor
CD25D "Jabula"




jvig@whidbey.net