Masthead Light

[SteveMack]

I am looking for a masthead light that is appropriate for my old gaff cutter.
It has got to look the part, work well and be available. Diameter of mast at truck 4 inches + / -.

On one hand I imagine it should be brass or bronze with a Fresnel lens. On the other hand I am thinking that as long as it is somewhat unobtrusive, I should steer myself towards a light that is extremely bright and does the best job.

In either case, I am hoping that someone will have a suggestion for a light that I can find a website for.

Any suggestions? <font color="blue"> </font>
Thank you! <font color="blue"> </font>

 

[mainmarine]

we can supply copper covers to fit over Aquasignal series 40 nav lights to give a traditional look without cutting down on the light output.
Malc
Mainmarine

 

[Kristal]

I would highly recommend considering a traditional outer casing with LED innards for any old boat in which battery capacity might be less than that of a modern production boat. One of this forum's contributors wrote an article for Classic Boat on building your own, and would be able to point you in the right direction. It's the route I will be taking when I rewire my boat.

/<

 

[clyst]

do you have any piccys or links??

Cheers

Terry

 

[Mirelle]

Well, I've been happy for the last 21 years with an Aqua Signal 40 tricolour and all round white; it's very well designed and reliable and you don't notice it up there.

If I was going to be that concerned over what the top of my mast looks like I would have to ditch the VHF aerial... a little further down the mast, the radar reflector would have to go...and I would have to go back to hemp and manila running rigging.

Down on deck I would have to ditch the liferaft, etc.

I reckon modern safety equipment like decent masthead lights don't detract from a nice old boat's appearance.

 

[Kristal]

This is very true - by the same token, I would have to dispense with the whole mast and standing rigging were I to follow this path.

That said, when the big rewire happens, I will be reconfiguring all the lighting arrangements, including nav lights at deck level, as they aren't quite correct at the moment.

/<

 

[bobgosling]

I second the suggestion of using LED innards. I am about to convert to these myslef after doing the appropriate homework and finding little down-side.

They can be obtained in a variety of sizes and bayonet fittings at this site : click here

No connection etc etc & usual caveats.

 

[Peterduck]

I converted a standard masthead light to LEDs so that I could leave it on all night and still have plenty of battery in the morning. I was so pleased with the result that I converted all my nav lights and saloon deckhead lighting, too. I wrote the article for the Practical pages. I would not go for a Fresnel lens for either masthead or nav lights on a sailing boat. The Fresnel lens concentrates the beam into a 'horizontal' plane - when the boat is on an even keel. When the boat is under sail, the beam is directed into the water on one side, and the sky on the other. Is this what you really want?
Using the LEDs that come ready to plug into a standard fitting results in an uneven light distribution. The great majority of light emits from the end of an LED, not all around like an incandescent globe. For this reason I have mounted LEDs on a printed circuit board and where necessary, bent their stems so that they shine in different directions.
Peter.

 

[bobgosling]

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Using the LEDs that come ready to plug into a standard fitting results in an uneven light distribution. The great majority of light emits from the end of an LED, not all around like an incandescent globe.
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Suggest you look at the web site in my previous post. The LEDs are clearly arranged in a circular pattern to prevent this problem.

 

[Peterduck]

Yes Bob, they look just the shot! The only plug-in ones that I have seen here in Australia have the LEDs all facing in the one direction, hence my remarks.
Peter.

 

[dur]

Useful web site. Have you worked out which are the ones to use? I am thinking it might be "Ultraleds Light Tower 20 Super Wide Angle Leds (1142 Dual Con)" to replace the standard 25 watt nav bulb.

 

[Mirelle]

Just a thought, but

masthead lights came in with the 1972 Colregs; there can be no such thing as a "period" masthead light!

 

[jhr]

Classic 70\'s

[ QUOTE ]
masthead lights came in with the 1972 Colregs

[/ QUOTE ]
Aha! so that explains why Tracey Edwards has a strobe at the top of Maiden's mast. She pinched it from a school disco.............