Stern light glare

[Sans Bateau]

Problem.
The stern light on a sailing yacht when motor sailing gives out a lot of light polution, reflecting off the white hull, dan - bouys and other bits and pieces on the push pit. This can and does affect night vision.

Is this a solution or does ot create another problem?
Add another switch so that the stern light can be swithed off, leaving the forward port and starboard lights on. Then instead of using the steaming light, switch on the anchor light, so giving the same light coverage as the stern light/steaming light combination.

The only problems I can see are:
a. Is the anchor light as bright as those it replaces
b. is the light patern 'legal'

It will be interesting to hear your comments



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[boatone]

Chapter and verse from the ColRegs......
Rule 23(c)
(i) A power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights;

Rule 25
Sailing vessels underway and vessels under oars
(a) A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit:
(i) sidelights;
(ii) a sternlight.
(b) In a sailing vessel of less than 20 metres in length the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule may be combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.

If you want to read all the other options etc <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsontheweb.com/> Website, Photo Gallery, Chat Room, Burgees

 

[Observer]

All round white light is permitted for vessels under 12m. However, if anchor light is masthead, it's not a good position for sternlight and if it's lower down, the light pollution would be no different?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://aflcharters.co.uk>Dream Dancer</A>

 

[dralex]

Any sort of masking is going to alter the angle of visibility. I suppose you could mount it on the pushpit, there fore giving it nothing to reflect off. That is where mine is mounted, but still quite low down. the glare is minimal as the light itself is well shielded.

The alternative would be to paint your transom black /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[MainlySteam]

If it is a correct light (135 degree unbroken arc) and is mounted on the pushpit as is usual (it is required to be mounted as close as practicable to the stern) then you should not get any reflections at all. With a good light such as an Aqua Signal or similar you should actually have to put your hand behind it in order to see if it is illuminated or not.

John

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[steve_cronin]

You\'re just describing.....

.. a badly positioned sternlight. However you are also describing the layout on most production boats.

My sternlight is sited below the top of the taffrail and is obscured by the lifebuoy and the ensign. However in the Med we don't sail much in the dark.

It is my intention though, for the very reasons you detail to re-site the sternlight in the middle of the gantry we have had fitted recently. Here it will be out of harm's way, completely unobscured and incapable of causing the glare you describe. As to "light pollution" (in an ecological sort of way) it will be worse but that is of no importance whatsoever in this context.

Steve Cronin



<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[Sans Bateau]

'Boatone' Has qouted the lighting regs of which we are aware, it's more the practical issues that have come up which are more relevent.

The fact that the light is not actually on the stern makes little difference when crossing the channel for instance. When navigativing out of Gosport or Chichester say, the normal lighting arangement can be deployed.

Also consider the fact that when sailing, the tricolour is on top ofthe mast also. We have also thought of mounting the light on a pole fixed to the pushpit, with shield behind it, this will probably work but will it stop the light reflecting off the sea?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[boatone]

I think you are placing too much emphasis on Rule 21 Definitions
(c) "sternlight" means a white light placed as nearly as practicable at the stern.......

But the rules say that for a vessel less than 12 metres it is ok to use a single allround white light and sidelights. I t doesnt say this single all round white light should be near the stern and in any case, the relative position within the length of a small vessel is pretty immaterial.

As you already take advantage of the masthead tricolour and accept that the 'sternlight' in this setup is on the mast I fail to see how the fore and aft position is an issue. Where you do have a problem is in using a masthead allround white light AND the existing sidelights which are part of the tricolour because there will be no vertical seperation. The solution IMHO could be to fit a dual sidelight on the pulpit which could be used in conjunction with the single all round white light when motoring.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsontheweb.com/> Website, Photo Gallery, Chat Room, Burgees</A>

 

[duncan]

I am getting somewhat confused as to the question you are asking?
Back to your original post - the response would appear to be that if you are under 12m then a masthead all round white plus the bow mounted R/G you would normally display when motoring will suffice. Inshore or in an estuary etc your stern light will be sensible as small motor boats will tend to see it 'quicker' for what it is.
Re wattage as many small boats only have this arrangement I would suspect that the standard fitting is appropriate for both.

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

 

[Sans Bateau]

No, no need to be confused, that is exactly what I am saying.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Peppermint]

Re: Hust do what most Solent boats do

hang your ensign over it.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[duncan]

in which case the only issue is to ensure that you don't inadventantly pretend to be what you are not by showing the anchor light in conjunction with the stern light, forward white and R/G.
Personally it seems a good combination to use the lower mounted whites inshore and the masthead allround white further offshore.

Gains would seem to be the fact that you are probably reducing the power consumption under sail by 25watts as you will only have one white bulb lit - colder beer!

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

 

[boatone]

But the anchor light wont be visible from astern in an 'unbroken arc' will it?

This is getting silly. All you need to do is build a better screening system for the stern light.......(.or hang your ensign over it..../forums/images/icons/laugh.gif)


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsontheweb.com/> Website, Photo Gallery, Chat Room, Burgees</A>

 

[Sans Bateau]

Of course it will be visible in an 'unbroken arc', its visible 360 degrees!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[boatone]

I am assuming the anchor light is somewhere for'ard of the mast and below masthead level as you have not said otherwise........

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsontheweb.com/> Website, Photo Gallery, Chat Room, Burgees</A>

 

[Sans Bateau]

No, at the mast head, one of those with the tricolour/anchor light as one unit. Your right I did not make that clear!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[duncan]

but I thought I had!

All happy now?/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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