Combination masthead (steaming)/deck lights

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by contrail

Whilst motoring, and in place of your steaming light and stern light, yes, but you can't have a stern light, as well. If you are sailing, then you can't use it, but must use the stern light. I used to do exactly that. When using the masthead combination, I simply unscrewed the very accessible stern light bulb. When sailing, I put it back in. Switches would have been better!

Or a trilight when sailing.

[Scott Berg]

Another vote for Signal Mate; they make several models (indeed, they make an outstanding range of LED nav lights). Made in the USA...

[StuM]

Originally Posted by TreblePlink

Minor thread drift ... 28 foot sailboat - If I have red & green port & starboard, can I use just an all around white on top of my mast?

No. That would show red/green and white from ahead - making you look like a vessel under power.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by StuM

No. That would show red/green and white from ahead - making you look like a vessel under power.

But the correct combination if under power.

[Jetx]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

This one
IP67 USCG Certified 3NM LED Combination Masthead Steaming and Deck Light

You may want to call them and ask, they seem to be helpful and knowledgeable on what they sell. All my interior lights are Marine Beam as well, not cheap, but I tried cheap and decided you get what you pay for as there was always an issue, when I thought I had found a good cheap LED, it emitted a lot of RF.

I have this same Marinebeam combo unit, and am happy with it so far. I agree with others that LEDs don't offer any particular advantage for the steaming light, but for the deck light, the LED gives a heck of a lot of illumination for a piddling amount of amps.

I can't vouch for long-term ruggedness of this unit, but it's certainly better than the Hella combo light that it replaced. The lens/cover for the deck light portion of the old Hella was knocked off several times when slapped by the genoa leech during a tack. Since the Marinebeam is a sealed unit and doesn't have any removable cover, it's immune to that particular problem.

FWIW - I've also had good luck with other Marinebeam products, and gotten prompt and knowledgeable support from them when I had questions.

[admiralslater]

Quick google shows the cut off for all white while under way is 16 ft above which stern and steaming lights must be separate.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by admiralslater

Quick google shows the cut off for all white while under way is 16 ft above which stern and steaming lights must be separate.

Google is not always correct.

Rule 23, section d of colregs:

"A power driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may, in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this rule, exhibit an all-round white and side lights."

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Google is not always correct.

Rule 23, section d of colregs:

"A power driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may, in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this rule, exhibit an all-round white and side lights."

Correct, but since we were talking about sail boats, the issue of lighting when under sail alone is not addressed by this combination.

Jim

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Correct, but since we were talking about sail boats, the issue of lighting when under sail alone is not addressed by this combination.

Jim

Under sail alone either red/green and a stern light or a tricolor.

Most sailboats have engines.

A sailboat must exhibit a steaming light and stern light(or if under 12 meters an all round white light) and red/green lights if under power or if the engine is running - if in gear or not.

[billknny]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

...if the engine is running - if in gear or not.

Not true. A masthead light ("steaming light") is required for a "power driven vessel"

From Rule 3:
(b) The term “power-driven vessel” means any vessel propelled by machinery.
(c) The term “sailing vessel” means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.

By any reasonable interpretation, an engine that is not in gear is not "propelling" the vessel.

An engine that is running, but not in gear does NOT turn you into a power driven vessel until it is "being used" to propel the vessel, i.e., the steaming light is only required AFTER you put your engine in gear.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by billknny

Not true. A masthead light ("steaming light") is required for a "power driven vessel"

From Rule 3:
(b) The term “power-driven vessel” means any vessel propelled by machinery.
(c) The term “sailing vessel” means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.

By any reasonable interpretation, an engine that is not in gear is not "propelling" the vessel.

An engine that is running, but not in gear does NOT turn you into a power driven vessel until it is "being used" to propel the vessel, i.e., the steaming light is only required AFTER you put your engine in gear.

I stand corrected. I read it somewhere in the past, thought it was in colregs, but just checked and cannot find it

[michaeld]

I recommend Signalmate. See https://signalmate.com/navigation-li...anchor-3-wire/

I used one of these, and it worked great.

[fdr14127]

I have the Forespar fixture fitted by the builder and every 10 years I drop the mast to update the haulyards etc. Of course I pulled early and the mast was parked on the bottom of the rack and with the great Canadian/Ontario Vortex of 2017 it was under water for April thru July. Result I had to pull the fixture and clean up the contacts. Bulbs had never been replaced and I considered led for the steaming light (deck light is halogen) and Defender didn't have one available. They sent a replacement incandestant but it had the dimples instead of the tits. I should have left well enuf alone. Since you have the steaming light on when motoring I replaced the light with the proper incndesant from the local West Marine outlet and chalked the whole thing up to a learning experience.