Pearson anchor light

[fred4936]

We have a Pearson 34-2 built in 1989. I would like to replace the anchor light bulb with LED, since that uses much less current while at anchor. The problem is I do not do heights, so I need to get a friend to go up the mast for me. To save time, I would like to find out what bulb to get before, so this change can be done in one trip up the mast. I would appreciate it if anyone can tell me what anchor light and/or bulb is probably up there. I won’t hold you to it! Thank you!

[Manateeman]

1989 ? I’d think about a new light and wire.
The manatees.

[tkeithlu]

I can't tell you the specific bulb.

Let me complicate your life with some allied issues. Fitst, in 1989 the USCG I believe was still using "visible at 1/2/3 miles" with no operational definition of "visible." Since then they have come up with standards that an engineer can follow, and the fittings now come with the bulb specified. It's moulded into the plastic by bulb number. You can increase the brightness of your abchor light big time while still saving watt hours, but you could be on thin ice in a legal dispute concerning your light, as in, Joe SixPack didn't see it and T-boned your boat. Second, I'm of the not too humble opinion that a single anchor light is not enough. It gets lost among stars or city lights, and is hard to triangulate on in any case. I hope that you will consider adding additional lights to define your boat while at anchor. We use outdoor rope light LEDs to define the wheelhouse roof.

Good luck. One approach would be to buy a modern fixture complete with bulb, and send your friend up the mast with the tools to completely replace the fixture.

Manatees don't climb masts.

[fred4936]

Thank you for responding! A new anchor light would a good solution. But as mentioned there seems to be issues in finding an LED unit that is actually legal. I will have to look and see what is out there. Adding extra lighting anyway is a great idea. In our travels we will certainly be in a place where that would be a very good idea!

[tkeithlu]

If you buy the entire light, it's legal. If you buy an LED bulb to put in your existing light, it's questionable. Personally, I bought an LED bulb that is bunches brighter than the incandescent bulb that came with the light. I'm more concerned for the safety involved than the legal details.

[SkipperScottie]

I too have a similar boat (a 1982 Pearson 367) and want to minimize the climbs up and down the mast.
I like the advice to replace whatever unit is up there with a new housing (LED).
Does anyone know a compatible version? or what is up there? Or what I can buy that is guaranteed to work? And should I silicone the anchor light base up there?
Light from West Marine https://www.westmarine.com/hella-mar...roducts__en_US
or
https://www.westmarine.com/attwood-s...roducts__en_US

Thanks.