Nav Lights on 20ft

[fellinagen]

I have a 20ft Vivacity and was planning to fit full navigation lights even though they aren't strictly required.

Now I think about it, would nav lights be seen as helpful (ie. a more comprehensive lighting setup than is required) or perceived as misleading in that under lights people might be confused thinking she is a larger vessel than she is?

So coll regs says I don't need them. But would it be good or bad to have them?

<hr width=100% size=1>If you're not confused, you're not paying attention.

 

[Talbot]

certainly better to have full nav lights, but dont need to be kingsize (aquasignal 25 series are perfectly satisfactory) and would suggest that a combined port/stbd would be a good idea if you can fit them. power consumption will be an issue thus needs to be considered.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Nickel]

The colregs have to have a lower limit, below which they do not impose compliance with the standard lighting plan, otherwise even tenders or inflatables would have to be lit. But if you are planning to install the standard nav lights for a small sailing vessel [eg mast tricolour, pulpit bicolour, steaming light and stern light] then I reckon its beyond doubt that you will be helping yourself and others at night time and in poor visibility.

<hr width=100% size=1>Nickel

Being paranoid simply means - having all the facts.

 

[fellinagen]

Thanks for the info. I was curious after a recent thread where the common feeling was that over lighting was as bad/worse than wrong lighting.

On the subject of power consumption - anyone tried these little solar panels for 12v trickle charging? (ebay £20 ish). Do they work or are they just a conversation peice?




<hr width=100% size=1>If you're not confused, you're not paying attention.

 

[sailorbaz]

I bought one last season and because it wasn't waterproof, I dismantled it and then reassembled it with the translucent mastic used for sticking aquariums together. I then fixed it with screws to a Perspex backplate and sealed it to that. You need to pay special attention to the cable entry - mine leaked the first time!
I stuck two strips of Velcro on the back and the other strips on the front hatch.
I fitted a cig. lighter socket in the front cabin connected directly to the battery terminals via a fuse.
I leave it on the boat all the time except when sailing - the genoa sheets catch on it. It keeps the battery fully charged but then my boat is on Lake Geneva. It might not be as efficient in the UK.
Hope this helps
Sailorbaz

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[snowleopard]

on a sonata i owned the sole nav lights were a combined tricolour and all-round white. it meant i could have proper nav lights when sailing and the minimum white when motoring. i would have preferred to have a 'proper' set but it was a good compromise.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[duncan]

I agree - it enables you to indicate your status pretty well to other craft and on the assumption that you don't have a 200hp OB the fact that your direction cannot be quickly accertained when you are under power isn't going to be that significant to other powered craft.

<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[dickh]

Definately go for the full set - on my Vivacity 20 some years ago, I had Bicolour on the Pilpit; Stern Light on the pushpit; Steaming Light at the crosstrees; and a Tricolour at the masthead with a Paraffin lamp for anchoring. So I was fully covered for all situations. You can get the Aquasignal series 25 or equivalents on eBay at a reasonable cost.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Mhvoiceuk]

I have an Islander 23 (which is actually 22'6" and therefore right on the borderline) and I recently fitted a full set of lights. It certainly makes me feel a little more confident about sailing at night, particularly under sail with the trilight on. The tricolor says that I'm definitely a yacht and I'm definitely under sail. I've also got a 5 watt solar panel which I screwed to the top half of my washboards. It keeps the battery topped up and I had no problems last season or this with flat batteries.

 

[AndrewB]

The prime consideration is to be seen.

Better to have one decent all-round 25w white light that is visible for two miles, than a whole collection of dinky low-powered red-and-greens.

 

[Gunfleet]

Under 12M you can have white at the top all round and red/green at the bow for motoring, white at the stern and red/green at the bow for sailing, so you never need have more than 2 bulbs alight. Lots of people, including one yachtmaster instructor I met, are unaware this is the case but its in your copy of Reeds

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[peterb]

Rule 25(d)(i): A sailing vessel of less than 7 metres in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed in (a) or (b) of this Rule, but if she does not......

You obviously think it is practicable to fit the lights, so surely the "shall" means that it is compulsory, and colregs say that you do need them?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[FullCircle]

On my 22 footer -
I fitted the Lalizas 12M masthead tricolour rated at 2 Nautical Miles carrying 10w bulb, and a Crosstrees located 12m White for Motoring. Anchoring is done by hoisting a Hurricane lamp into the crosstrees.
It saves on the electricity, as I only have 5A charging, and the boat is on a swinging mooring. I also have a 5w solar panel, 20 something quid from Tomjo Marine who do the Boat jumbles.

Jim

<hr width=100% size=1>Our engine will never wear out - it only runs for 5 mins before packing it in again.

 

[peterb]

What lights do you use when motoring? Not the tricolour, cos' that's illegal?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Pelican]

Re: for sailorbaz

Where are you moored on lake Geneva? I'm in the Creux-de-Genthod - how about meeting up somewhere for a drink? - have never met any other formites on the lake!
Fair winds
Pelican

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[sailorbaz]

Re: for pelican

Until this season we were in La Pichette near Vevey. We live in Valais and have been on the waiting list for a place in Le Bouveret for 9 years! We finally got a place this year, so that's where we are now. We haven't yet been down your end.
We occasionally go to Rolle or Port Ripaille on the French side but we are planning a tour of the Lake for our main holiday next year.
Please PM me and we can keep in touch.
Sailorbaz

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Guest]

most have them, many don't use 'em.

Its your choice ..... I have'em, but they need replacement and I am seriously thinking about portable battery type instead of the fixed 12V type that has failed on my boat. The old ones are fitted to nice brackets on pulpit etc. - but thats as far as they go - years of spray and exposure have led to discoloured lenses, bad wiring and loss of use.
As to anchor light ...... stick a lamp up the flag halyard.

Still got to decide what to do with the mast head light ......


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[Guest]

Local car shop - 24.99

Have two of 'em .... ones just packed up after 2 yrs on cabin top ..... probably because of strating engine with it still plugged in !

But they are trickle jobs for keeping car batterys topped up when car stands .... worked for me.

I shall buy another later.


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[oldharry]

Which is safer: for other craft to know that there is 'something' there (i.e. all round white), or for others not only to know where you are, but which way you are going , whether you are under power or sail, and which of you should give way under Colregs?



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jimbouy]

I fitted a £40 5W panel to my Leisure 17, fixed to the aft locker lid. Which has kept battery fully charged.

But only powering 2x instruments and VHF

The panel was from CPC.

<hr width=100% size=1> "It is a pleasure to give advice, humiliating to need it, normal to ignore it"