Riding light on forestay?

[JimC]

I know this is traditional but behind the thickness of a rolled genoa it could be obscured from in front. Wouldn't the backstay be better? I've taken to hanging mine on a lazyjack as high as I can reach, this is near the centre of the boat and the pool of light from the lamp illuminates the white coachroof and deck.

 

[VicS]

I know this is traditional but behind the thickness of a rolled genoa it could be obscured from in front. Wouldn't the backstay be better? I've taken to hanging mine on a lazyjack as high as I can reach, this is near the centre of the boat and the pool of light from the lamp illuminates the white coachroof and deck.

Assuming you boat is less than 50m you can hang it wherever you think it can best be seen.

 

[Refueler]

if you suspend the light from a storm halyard up fwd .. so its hanging well away from other items ... its swing and movement as well as the boats natural tendency to yaw about will be enough to let people see it regardless of furled sail.

 

[neil_s]

I think I agree with you about hanging it on the backstay. A few days ago I was anchored near another yacht that did this - the light was perfectly visible and the spill over illuminated the cockpit. Unfortunately for me. I have fitted the anchor light deck socket at the base of the mast!

 

[vyv_cox]

Mine is above the radar scanner on the stern arch. Very visible there, particularly as the light is a fabulous one from the Pavlou Brothers chandlery at Poros

 

[Refueler]

Luckily here in Baltic ... darkness is short and I can get away with using a solar garden light .....

I also have a masthead all round white. But use the solar hung up fwd ...

Interesting tidbit about my masthead light ... its an old bronze framed light with glass dome. The glass got broken when mast was down and hanging out astern .. I was a little 'optimistic' in a turn and it clipped harbour wall.
Seemed a shame to rip it off ... so looked for a new glass dome .. but of course none to be found. Solution ? A small 500ml Coke plastic bottle .... was a perfect diameter fit cut to size.
Its been up there some years now and I was surprised that the plastic did not discolour too much and still shines a good light.

 

[Graham376]

Ours hangs from the anchor ball which hangs from spinnaker halyard.

 

[Old Harry]

I know this is traditional but behind the thickness of a rolled genoa it could be obscured from in front. Wouldn't the backstay be better? I've taken to hanging mine on a lazyjack as high as I can reach, this is near the centre of the boat and the pool of light from the lamp illuminates the white coachroof and deck.

I used the babystay on the so a fixed the anchor l there as well?

 

[neil_s]

Luckily here in Baltic ... darkness is short and I can get away with using a solar garden light .....

I also have a masthead all round white. But use the solar hung up fwd ...

Interesting tidbit about my masthead light ... its an old bronze framed light with glass dome. The glass got broken when mast was down and hanging out astern .. I was a little 'optimistic' in a turn and it clipped harbour wall.
Seemed a shame to rip it off ... so looked for a new glass dome .. but of course none to be found. Solution ? A small 500ml Coke plastic bottle .... was a perfect diameter fit cut to size.
Its been up there some years now and I was surprised that the plastic did not discolour too much and still shines a good light.

I've got one just like that! The glass on mine is chipped, but not broken so I fitted it with a cable gland and a LED bulb and it now hangs off the genoa sheets when needed.

 

[dunedin]

As in most cases you want to anchor in the lee of land, any new arrivals at night are much more likely to be coming into a bay from astern of the anchored boats than from ahead.
Hence our anchor light is hung under the boom, not in front of the mast which seems the least effective place.

(We also have a solar garden lamp on the stern rail, which is on automatically, even if on a mooring or on a pontoon - the more lights the better)

 

[Refueler]

Thread drift >>>>>
Quite often when moored ... I place a Solar light with its ground spike in the sheet winch. I found that the winch handle slot is similar size to the spike.
Another use of the winch handle slot - garden umbrella - the small to medium size often can be slotted into it.

When in DIY shops .. I am always having a look in the Camping / bicycle sections .... I found a very good battery LED 'storm lantern' ... a multi battery LED tent light .... clip on 'guitar lights' .... bicycle handlebar bags ... as examples ... They all find good use on my boat. One very good item ... for car seats - hanging on the back from headrest with all the pockets in. I have one in the 'heads' for all the little bits and bobs.