[C320-list] Raising navigation lights

[Jack Brennan]

Troy, Pat and Hans:

A masthead light is an interesting choice.

I get a little concerned because my wife and I are now too old to go up the mast if the light burns out or the bulb gets dislodged. Finding someone to do it on a trip can be a challenge.

I also wonder how visible those lights are 47 feet above the water, especially when traveling on a river or channel. I once barely escaped an accident with a drunken powerboater roaring through an anchorage who didn’t see a masthead anchor light. Now I leave a solar light in the cockpit for good measure.

I don’t think exposed electrical cable is ideal, but I already have wires from the solar panels going down one of the backstays and through the Dorade vent on the stern. I think I would rather have that than try to route wires through the bow and stern rails.

I’m off to Home Depot and West Marine later today to look at materials and do some thinking.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.








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From: Troy Dunn via C320-list<mailto:c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 11, 2023 8:09 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at catalina320.com>
Cc: Troy Dunn<mailto:troutwarrior at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Raising navigation lights

Jack-

I think they make a dual purpose masthead tri-color/anchor light (Hella?).
 That would certainly solve your visibility concerns at a distance.   I've
seen some boats with a stern light mounted near the spreader split, I'm
guessing the wire is exposed in that case.  The masthead light may be the
cheapest and most aesthetically pleasing if it suits your needs.  I think I
read somewhere that cycling the power changes the function of the masthead
light from anchor to nav so you wouldn't have to rewire??   You'll need to
research it, i can't remember where i saw that article...

Regards-

Troy