LED Anchor Light

[JusDreaming]

I need to replace our anchor light,(masthead), and just wondering what the latest and greatest is. Our was replaced about 3 years ago and is about as bright as a star

[multihullsailor6]

I personally do not think that an anchorlight should be at the masthead, there have been a number of tragic accident as especially fast motorboaters did not see the light high up! A free-swinging anchorlight 2m above deck level within the jib-triangle attract far more attention.
Hence I bought a LED light-sensing "Owl" anchorlight:

LED Anchor Light-Waterproof & Rugged for Marine RV and Offgrid Use.

Very happy with it and its brightness.

[Vasco]

Owl anchor light, hung from jib sheets on foredeck. Brightest light in the anchorage. From LED Anchor Light-Waterproof & Rugged for Marine RV and Offgrid Use

[chris_gee]

I also bought a Bebi owl with auto turn on /off light sensor and lighter plug. I hang it from the topping lift, thinking of no dead spot astern rather than ahead. Much more reassuring than the alternatives of cheap solar lights and lights which tend to get obscured in part by various bits and pieces some significant.

[GeoPowers]

Another vote here for the Bebi Owl

[Jim Cate]

This is incredible!

My response is nr 6, and we ALL agree: the Bebi Owl LED anchor light is the best thing gong so far. Very bright, tiny current drain, auto off/on, and finally the folks at Bebi are just great to deal with... and they are providing a cottage industry in a Fijian village, employing the locals.

Cheers,

Jim

[noelex 77]

Another vote for the Bebi Owl, in case you missed the other posts.

[steamgoat]

I also have a BEBI,its nice that so many like the efforts of a small 'cottage'industy.

[cfarrar]

I confess I can't decide whether I like the masthead light or light down low. I sometimes rig a Davis light above the boom, but I worry that it will be blocked by the mast or roller furled jib. When I'm returning to the boat in the dinghy the light is only blocked occasionally and momentarily, but it's theoretically possible for a boat to remain in the blind spot until impact, isn't it?

[Brazil]

I am also worried about the blind spot of a low light, but what really turn me off is the fact it is not permanently mounted. To hang a light in the top lift ( or where ever) every night is a pain . Not to mention a wire hanging in my way.

[xymotic]

Well, back on-topic, I really liked the OGM masthead light I put on my last boat. It's expensive. crazy damned expensive and I only got it originally cuz I got a helluva deal on it. But I have to say I was so impressed with it it is going to be one of the FIRST things I add to the current boat.

[svstrider]

This getting BORING but here goes "I love my Owl on / off auto masthead anchor light from Bebi". I have bought four of their lights and found their service and ethics to be top notch. The owner in Fiji also is helping the locals. I had a problem with one of my pruchases andit was replaced quickly.
BTW in Queensland Australia I have been threatened with a fine because I had anchor lights in the fore triangle and over the cockpit and not exhibiting a masthead all round white light. The former option was WRONG according to the water nazi who almost drove his boat up my transom steps at 10 pm at night. He was so keen to fine me. This was in a crowded anchorage where a quarter of the boats were showing no lights because their owners were down the pub and had not left any lights on at all.

[svstrider]

PS I also agree that a masthead light is not as safe as unobscured light/s 2 metres off the deck. Many times coming into an isolated anchorage at night on a new moon, I have not been able to decide whether a "Star" is actually that and not another boat.

[xymotic]

A light at the masthead AND additional lights on deck avoid ALL of the problems with legality and the chance of not seeing it. And C'mon a couple LED's is not likely to break the amp-hour bank!

[JusDreaming]

sounds like supplmenting the "star" at the mast head with an "owl" is the way to go. Thanks for all the input