[C320-list] Raising navigation lights

[mseyler at cox.net]

I added a combination anchor/tri-color light to my masthead when I had my
mast down last year, and it would certainly solve the problem of a dinghy
blocking the stern light when under sail.  But the masthead light doesn't
comply with the CG rules for use under power.  If you are under power you
still need to use the deck-level lights and the steaming light on the mast.
I changed out the switch for the nav lights to a 3 position rocker switch,
that can turn on either the tri-color light under sail or the deck-level
lights under power. 

Also, you would almost certainly have to run a new cable to the masthead for
the tri-color light.  The one I bought needed three conductors for the
anchor light, tri-color light, and ground.  There are models that use a
two-conductor cable and reverse polarity to switch between the anchor light
and the tri-color light.  But you wouldn't be able to use the existing wires
for the anchor light because the stock wiring set-up on 320s uses a common
ground for the anchor light, steaming light, and deck light, and the
polarity of the wires to the anchor light cannot be reversed.

Mark Seyler
S/V Reality,
Catalina 320, #232
New Orleans, LA



-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Jack
Brennan via C320-list
Sent: Saturday, November 11, 2023 9:23 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Cc: Jack Brennan <jackbrennan333 at outlook.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Raising navigation lights

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