Mast Wiring

[Kristal]

This isn't specifically an old/wooden/classic boat issue, but...

The winter project is rewiring and upgrading of Crystal's electrical system to provide circuits I know and trust to be as electrolysis free as possible, some interior electrical lighting (sympathetic, I promise), and provision for gadgets such as an autopilot and wind instruments in the future. The reason its pertinent now is that I have Crystal ashore and demasted for the summer, and will overhaul the wiring of both masts after they're stripped down for varnishing. Here are the main jobs:

1. Nav Lights - rewire dodgy leads to masthead tricolour, or remove tricolour altogether; add a 'deck' light to mizzen to light cockpit; mend or renew anchor light.

2. Radio - SWR test VHF, replace VHF aerial and cable if necessary, allow provision for emergency aerial jack

3. Add wireless internet antennae to mizzen mast and install coaxial deck fitting (sorry!)

I kept Peterduck's excellent article about converting nav lights to LEDs, which will be part of the winter project. What I want to ask is: seeing as Crystal's nav lights are non-compliant with the current requirements, I want to redesign from the deck up, and need to do that now so lights on the masts can go on now, after Coelan-ing.

So, what are the current requirements for a yacht under 12 metres?

/<

 

[Peterduck]

During a sailing club meeting when we were addressed by the skipper of one of the Bass Stait ferries, he said that masthead nav lights are pain for him because they are around the same level as shore lighting when seen from the bridge. He said that deck-level nav lights stood out much better, being seen against a back ground of dark water.
Peter.

 

[Poignard]

Also applies from the deck of a small boat when approaching a small-craft anchorage which is backed by a hill with house and street lights. Masthead anchor lights may not be obvious amongst the other lights. Much better to have them at eye level, IMHO

 

[Kristal]

This is the argument I have heard from almost everybody I've asked on the subject. One suggestion has been to have both deck-level lights and a masthead tricolour - is that allowable?

I'm being lazy asking here, I could just go home and look it up...

/<

 

[bigwow]

Yes but not on at the same time

 

[Santana379]

Hi /<

The general idea is that Nav lights are around deck/pulpit level.

The tricolour is additional, for use only when sailing - it's purpose is to provide port/starboard/stern lights from a single bulb to conserve electricity when the engine is not running, and the masthead is the only place visible all round (plus the lee nav light is still always visible when heeling a lot or in a swell). The moment the engine goes on, you switch from triclour to nav lights, and put on the steaming light.

It would be wrong to have the tricolour switched on above the steaming light.

The debate is quite important when it comes to anchor lights, as you can buy a masthead tricolour combined with anchor light. This is far too high for an anchor light (IMHO) in terms of confusion with shore lights - lets face it, we normally anchor fairly close to shore. Its also not a very classic boat solution - far better a hurricane lamp that runs out / blows out at 03.00hrs! I actually have a powerful electric anchor light that meets the "visible from 2 miles" criteria, and which I hoist low in the forepart of the boat, often atached to the anchor ball. You can buy an (expensive) hoisting light that uses light sensitivity to switch on and off.

Cheers, Bill

 

[Kristal]

Hi Bill, nice to hear from you!

That clears up the confusion - Crystal is non compliant, therefore, by not having deck-level nav lights and when I've been moving under power after dark, I've been incorrectly using the tricolour over the steaming light. I've seen some nice stainless ones on t'interweb which I'll put on after the cabin sides have been varnished.

I am afraid I'm not nearly classic boat enough to start hoisting lanterns aloft, I get little enough sleep on board as it is! The anchor light will definitely be electrical, the question is would a mast-mounted all-rounder (mizzen mast, I would guess) be better than a hoisted light which, as Bill says, could also have an anchor ball attached...

/<

 

[rogerthebodger]

I am interested in your comment about converting nav lights to LEDs.

Where could I get a copy of the article you refer to as I am currently reconditioning a mast for my new yacht and would like to convert to LED's