Navigation light wiring on a Dory

[amoore658]

Hi,
I need to get navigation lights fitted to my Dell Quay Dory.
What do I need to get to wire them up? I'll get an electrician to do it at the boat yard, but I prefer to source my own equipment. My dad (there's no other way I can put this, and still be honest about it) came up with a buck-daft idea of having the wire running directly from the navlights to the battery. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think thats safe? Certainly that's what I was taught whenever I was at school in Technology class lol.

Basically what do I need to buy? We've got the wire but that's it (and the lights obviously). I also bought a Perko 1.2 metre high all round white light.

I'm sorry for so many questions, but how can I keep the wires tidy? Again, my dad suggested nailing them to the boats hull, but I also don't agree with that due to leakage of water into the foam etc? I had thought out somehow attaching the bit of wood the port/stbd lights are on, to the railings...?

I'm in the UK if that's of any relevance.

 

[VicS]

If you boat is under 7m and has a top speed of less than 7 knots you are permitted in the "Collision regulations" to fit just a single all round white light.

Other wise you need port,and starboard lights( which can be combined into one bicolour lantern), a stern light and a masthead light ( commonly called a "steaming light"
The stern and steaming lights mat be combined into a single allround white light.

An allround white, in lieu of stern and masthead lights, can of course if separately switch be used as an anchor light.

You say you have an allround white so you don't need to bother with the stern and masthead "steaming" lights. All you need in addition to the all round white are the port and starboard lights ( or a bicolour)



OK

You will need a fuse, as close as reasonably possible, to the connection to the battery positive .

You will need a switch, single pole will be adequate, or, if you opt for a separately switched allround white, two switches.
You'll need a little panel somewhere for the switch(es)

Switches should be suitable for 12 volt DC operation.

The wiring shoud be done in flexible cable. You may need somewhat heavier cable than the current rating of the lights suggests to avoid volts drop on long runs but in a DQ Dory I guess you wont really have long cable runs. Choose heavyish cable anyway for robustness.

Ideally cable should be tinned to resist corrosion but it's gilding the lily a bit!

Ceratinly the cables should all be clipped up securely by what ever means is appropriate.

Dont pierce the inner skin and allow water into the foam!
Use self adhesive cable tidies perhaps ... Maplin will have something suitable

 

[amoore658]

VicS, thanks very much for the help. Very useful & informative.

Thanks once again