What cabin lantern?

[Dyflin]

I have a big empty bulk head on the boat which needs filling with something that gives off a warm glow after dark. What do others use to fulfil this need?

 

[Nickcf]

A shelf with a bottle of whisky on it....?

 

[Dyflin]

Yeah, we've no whisky, but a few bottles of whiskey onboard, but that won't light my way from the companionway, quiet the opposite really!

 

[Searush]

Gimballed brass oil lamp; Looks pretty when not in use, provides a nice warm glow - good enough to read by AND helps warm you up on cool evenings.

 

[Dyflin]

Sounds good, safe and freely available?

 

[sarabande]

Twisterowner posted a link some time ago of a very good trad anchor light.

http://www.toplicht.de/product/l12738

They have all kinds of other lights too. Here's the page for wall lights

http://www.toplicht.de/list/l80/l616/l618

 

[Dyflin]

Is this kind of thing for marine use or just for atmospheric pubs?

 

[Amulet]

look here
http://www.classicmarine.co.uk/product.a...For=&PT_ID=
Don't buy a cheap one. The threads cut in the tank will be shallow and cross and infuriate you and then give up completely. I worked up from rock bottom to Classic Marine's "small lamp". Threw the others overboard.

 

[Dyflin]

Hey, they look great, thanks! What about "lamp oil", how easy is it to get hold of that subsequently?

 

[TiggerToo]

should not be a problem. Freely available at supermarkets this time of year (for people who like eating al fresco) or at hardware stores at all other times.

 

[davies]

Cheaper than "lamp oil" but perfectly satisfactory is citronella oil, which burns cleanly with a faint lemony smell. Citronella is well rated as a mosquito repellent too. I get the stuff at Homebase stores.

 

[MoodySabre]

The Fasnet oil lamp like this
http://www.marinescene.co.uk/product/2026/nauticalia-fastnet-gimballed-lamp
has a gimballed heat shield too so you can leave it on for a very nice light on a night passage. They come in brass too. I've been very pleased with mine.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

Dyflin,

For something different/more robust in the lantern line- we use a proper Davey Lantern on a bi-gimballed holder for Davey Lamps from Kelvin Hughes- Weems & Plath made I think.

Long burn time, brass good, robust, numbered, protected glass and the gauze is in the chimney in case of gas!

There is a Scots proper Lamp maker still, and a Welsh one- E.Thomas & Williams Ltd, Aberdare- website www.etw-ltd.co.uk- down at moment- phone 01685 876107; got ours there + two for the conservatory.

Weems & Plath offer two sizes of lamp, but as I'm on my 3rd tide clock and second barometer from my retirement presentation set in March 2007, I'm off their kit- gimbals ok mind!
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peternoonan enterprises (PEP) sell lamp wicks by the metre( and lovely oil lamps and spare chimmleys etc) on the web.

Hardware store in Emsworth sells lamp oil of all flavours- similar old fashioned one in Eire bound to?
Lamp definitely the solution to an empty bulkhead, also standby lighting/ anchor light /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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[Twister_Ken]

Even with a heat shield don't mount it to close to the deckhead. Don't bother to ask why I suggest that, work it out for yourself!

 

[Amulet]

Lamp oil is widely available in chandlers. Supposed advantage over paraffin is lack of pong. I have become convinced (no-one agrees with me) that paraffin burns brighter, and that pong comes from spillage not burning.

By the way - the heat shields matter. It gets bloody hot above these these lamps. Protect your boat.

 

[Loginname]

We were advised to put a few drops of Lemon Grass essential oil in paraffin to reduce the pong. It seems to help. More importantly, it keeps SHMBO happy and her happiness is my main concern particularly as my sailing trip across the channel in July was confirmed earlier this evening /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Dyflin]

Again, lots of great advice, many thanks lads! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Seagreen]

I use one of these:

Large gimballed oil lamp
Small enough to sit nicely on a bulkhead yet gives out either sharp warm light with the shade off, or a soft glow with the shade on. Filled with Citronella oil, it also keeps the midges out of the boat. You also need a brass smokeshade above it, as it kicks out loads of heat so warms the cabin as well.

I really ought to read the thread first. All above well covered by others. Anyway, you can see that the Classic Marine lamps are the best for the job. You can also try www.Toplicht.de but they also sell a lot more, especially lamps made by Sorensen, which you might like better. Go a Googling.
But for preference, try and avoid the "lfeboat" style globe lamps. These are large, and don't kick out the light you want.