temptress
Well-Known Member
NO use at all
I agree. I fitted deck lighting and in 10 years only ever use to see if it is still working.
I agree. I fitted deck lighting and in 10 years only ever use to see if it is still working.
Deck lighting, useful.?
- Thread starter aitchem
- Start date
KellysEye
Well-Known Member
We have deck lights on both the main mast and mizzen. The mizzen light lights the cockpit well but I doubt spreader lights will. We only use the lights when anchoring or lifting the anchor at night. We don't use them for reefing it destroys your night vision. We also have a 12 volt cockpit strip light which we hang under the main boom, to us LED's are not bright enough.
ukmctc
Well-Known Member
Well, NO. it has tobe said the lights are limited, better off having a headlamp on your head.
I have never used my deck light. I have used a torch, and a headlamp though.
noelex
Well-Known Member
I do not use the decklights much.
Led torch and headtorch are much more useful. The torch will function as a good cockpit light. The good Led torches have an incredibly long run time at lower brightness.
If you want a cockpit light i have one of these Bebi lights mounted under the dodger.
Led torch and headtorch are much more useful. The torch will function as a good cockpit light. The good Led torches have an incredibly long run time at lower brightness.
If you want a cockpit light i have one of these Bebi lights mounted under the dodger.
noelex
Well-Known Member
Pete
There are much better headtorches. Multiple 5mm leds are not great for a headtorch unless you only want low illumination
Something like this is a better choice.
Its an apex pro
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eagleswing
Well-Known Member
some more lights..?
an unfortunate death during a USA local yacht race 14 years ago
not my boat.) inexperienced captain, boat not very well equipped either. inexperienced bowman fell off the foredeck, heavy weather and seas made it impossible to see him . no jack lines installed on the boat on which he was crewing. no harnesses available for anyone. no light on the victim's life vest, no whistle. no deck lights on the boat he was crewing on, and the small steaming light on the 30 yr old boat was pretty useless. no hand held or permanent - mount spotlight available that would light up the seas to the sides of the foredeck and make the victim more visible. mayday call. 12 hours of fruitless searching by US coast guard and race participants. 30 year old father of 2 gone. i quit racing after that incident.
but i now have : handheld 12v rechargeable spotlite. whistles and small ACR- brand flashing safety lites on all lifevests. harnesses for all crew, jacklines and jack rings all over. working deck lites. a 12v LED red 'string' of lites by Imtra, below seat level, and switchable, for viewing maps, drinks etc., and navigating in the cockpit... and a Davis 12v white 'anchor' lite , for the cockpit or at anchor. then add a few oil Sorensen oil lamps for inside to save the batteries....time for a few christmas presents for the boat?
an unfortunate death during a USA local yacht race 14 years ago
not my boat.) inexperienced captain, boat not very well equipped either. inexperienced bowman fell off the foredeck, heavy weather and seas made it impossible to see him . no jack lines installed on the boat on which he was crewing. no harnesses available for anyone. no light on the victim's life vest, no whistle. no deck lights on the boat he was crewing on, and the small steaming light on the 30 yr old boat was pretty useless. no hand held or permanent - mount spotlight available that would light up the seas to the sides of the foredeck and make the victim more visible. mayday call. 12 hours of fruitless searching by US coast guard and race participants. 30 year old father of 2 gone. i quit racing after that incident. but i now have : handheld 12v rechargeable spotlite. whistles and small ACR- brand flashing safety lites on all lifevests. harnesses for all crew, jacklines and jack rings all over. working deck lites. a 12v LED red 'string' of lites by Imtra, below seat level, and switchable, for viewing maps, drinks etc., and navigating in the cockpit... and a Davis 12v white 'anchor' lite , for the cockpit or at anchor. then add a few oil Sorensen oil lamps for inside to save the batteries....time for a few christmas presents for the boat?
Ex-SolentBoy
Well-Known Member
We have two deck lights fitted under our spreaders and we do use them.
1. When anchoring in the dark. Head torches are an alternative, but this way everone can see what is going on. We use hands signal so the helm can follow directions from the foredeck.
2. When boarding the boat. They eyes are not what they used to be.
3. When trying to find the boat at night from a dinghy. We have a small remote control on the key fob. It works from 150m or so away and saves all that rowing around.
As you have the mast down it seems like a no-brainer to me. If you don't fit one you will always think "if I had fitted a deck light this would have been easier".
1. When anchoring in the dark. Head torches are an alternative, but this way everone can see what is going on. We use hands signal so the helm can follow directions from the foredeck.
2. When boarding the boat. They eyes are not what they used to be.
3. When trying to find the boat at night from a dinghy. We have a small remote control on the key fob. It works from 150m or so away and saves all that rowing around.
As you have the mast down it seems like a no-brainer to me. If you don't fit one you will always think "if I had fitted a deck light this would have been easier".
Billjratt
Well-Known Member
Pro- decklight.
It's high enough not to cast a big shadow, and makes foredeck work safe in a couple of ways -tripping on fittings and ropes is less likely, and the person on the helm can clearly see if you are still safe.
Great as courtesy lights when non-boaty or unstable visitors are going ashore.
On a night passage in the Med, we used our spreader lights to light up the sails when we were approached by a fast speedboat which then sheered off and disappeared - probably a Guardia patrol boat.
The cockpit lights set into the booms of big posh yachts were a favourite 'covet' but since we didn't entertain to that level, I just fitted a low level port navlight partially covered with black tape to allow me to find things I'd dropped and see the crappy st50 instruments which lost all contrast when the internal illumination was on.
We also have a searchlight mounted on the wheelhouse roof. I think it should not be on the push or pulpit - just go for a hand-held job - battery or coilylead plug-in.
It's high enough not to cast a big shadow, and makes foredeck work safe in a couple of ways -tripping on fittings and ropes is less likely, and the person on the helm can clearly see if you are still safe.
Great as courtesy lights when non-boaty or unstable visitors are going ashore.
On a night passage in the Med, we used our spreader lights to light up the sails when we were approached by a fast speedboat which then sheered off and disappeared - probably a Guardia patrol boat.
The cockpit lights set into the booms of big posh yachts were a favourite 'covet' but since we didn't entertain to that level, I just fitted a low level port navlight partially covered with black tape to allow me to find things I'd dropped and see the crappy st50 instruments which lost all contrast when the internal illumination was on.
We also have a searchlight mounted on the wheelhouse roof. I think it should not be on the push or pulpit - just go for a hand-held job - battery or coilylead plug-in.
pyrojames
Well-Known Member
To be useful they need to be powerful IMHO. I have 2 35w lights on the underside of the lower spreaders. I use themmostly for post anchoring/mooring tidying up, but also for reefing on dark nights. Occiasionally I have used them as anchor lights when we have all gone ashore to the pub. Good for finding theboat, and for gettin back aboard. Quite a current draw, but I am lucky enough not to worry about that too much.
barnaclephill
Well-Known Member
I have wired together 2 8watt fluorescent tubes to my spreaders. These cost here only $8 each and come with a 4m cable to change a car tyre or fix an engine at night. After soldering together the wires, the end caps are siliconed in place to seal out moisture.
Currently they're not working (haven't checked why) but lasted like that for 8 years.
The 2 fluoros spread a medium light all over the place - decks, sails, etc so you can see what you're doing, and help when getting into a jetty.
These lights were much cheaper than chandlers' decklights.
Currently they're not working (haven't checked why) but lasted like that for 8 years.
The 2 fluoros spread a medium light all over the place - decks, sails, etc so you can see what you're doing, and help when getting into a jetty.
These lights were much cheaper than chandlers' decklights.
D
Deleted member 36384
Guest
No Need For Spreader Lights, Keep The Foredeck Light
Dont fit spreader lights as they are not required in my opinion but make sure you have a suitable lantern to illuminate your sales. Refurbish the fore deck light.
I use my bright foredeck light (below the steaming light) when at anchor or after I have hooked a mooring and when inflating the dinghy, for example. I don't use it at sea.
Having said that, on another yacht I did use the deck light to illuminate the yacht when being approached by a ship in heavy seas. The ship turned away after the deck light was out on.
There are ways of protecting night vision when using deck lights or lanterns at night. The obvious one is shielding eyes by having a crew member going below or by wearing sun glasses for the period that the deck lights are on if short handed.
I have a small strip light that plugs into a socket in the cockpit if I need to illuminate the cockpit or aft deck. It can be hung off. Low cost caravan shop type item.
Dont fit spreader lights as they are not required in my opinion but make sure you have a suitable lantern to illuminate your sales. Refurbish the fore deck light.
I use my bright foredeck light (below the steaming light) when at anchor or after I have hooked a mooring and when inflating the dinghy, for example. I don't use it at sea.
Having said that, on another yacht I did use the deck light to illuminate the yacht when being approached by a ship in heavy seas. The ship turned away after the deck light was out on.
There are ways of protecting night vision when using deck lights or lanterns at night. The obvious one is shielding eyes by having a crew member going below or by wearing sun glasses for the period that the deck lights are on if short handed.
I have a small strip light that plugs into a socket in the cockpit if I need to illuminate the cockpit or aft deck. It can be hung off. Low cost caravan shop type item.
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
I've read that if you keep one eye shut you retain your night vision in that eye. (Never been able to check this as I'm blind in one eye!)
NormanS
Well-Known Member
Yes, that works. Always do that if having to go to the loo during the night aboard.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Ah! Jim-lad, go below, fetch my eye-patch.
Not trying to be funny; isn't the simple answer to loss of night-vision, an eye-patch?
When the deck lights go on, use the patch while working in the brightness; as soon as the lights go out, flip off the patch, and it's all as clear as...well, you understand...
Not trying to be funny; isn't the simple answer to loss of night-vision, an eye-patch?
When the deck lights go on, use the patch while working in the brightness; as soon as the lights go out, flip off the patch, and it's all as clear as...well, you understand...
ithet
Well-Known Member
That was why pirates wore eye patches - so that they could see below deck on a boarded vessel after they moved the patch to other eye. Well, thats according to legend, anyway.
Strathglass
Well-Known Member
I have a spreader light.
It is a 35watt sealed beam one.
I would not be without it.
Mainly used when boat is in a harbour or on a mooring when someone has to board or exit the boat either from the tender or via a long seaweed covered metal ladder on the harbour wall.
I also use it to illuminate the boat on the mooring when expecting visitors.
I especially use it when youngsters are around.
I have never used it when actually sailing.
I also have head lights, led torched etc but they are sometimes not as handy as the spreader light at times.
I do not keep it on for very long each time I use it unless the engine is running or on shore power because of the 3 amps it draws from the battery.
Well worth fitting in my view, especially if the mast is down.
It is a 35watt sealed beam one.
I would not be without it.
Mainly used when boat is in a harbour or on a mooring when someone has to board or exit the boat either from the tender or via a long seaweed covered metal ladder on the harbour wall.
I also use it to illuminate the boat on the mooring when expecting visitors.
I especially use it when youngsters are around.
I have never used it when actually sailing.
I also have head lights, led torched etc but they are sometimes not as handy as the spreader light at times.
I do not keep it on for very long each time I use it unless the engine is running or on shore power because of the 3 amps it draws from the battery.
Well worth fitting in my view, especially if the mast is down.