Do you use a Daytime Black ball at Anchor?

[CatNewBee]

Originally Posted by Pete7

That is more like a miniture jam jar lid. Even a CD would exceed that, presumably it would have to be a Black Sabbath

...

[Leo Ticheli]

I've added this to the things I'm surprised I didn't know. My black ball will arrive from Amazon tomorrow. Who knew this sailing stuff was so complicated?

I thank all the wiser Jack Tars on this forum for sharing their knowledge.

Fair winds,
Leo

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Lets see: if a 0.6 meter ball is good for a 1000 foot tanker, then for my 46 foot yacht something like 0.6/1000=x/46 or around .03 meters should meet the regs. Pretty easy to store that,but maybe hard to find!

Leaves me feeling ok about my basketball sized shape.

Jim

Ha good one Jim:

This is one of those instances where having big cojones is likely preferrable. Albeit you just need one cojone when anchoring.

And lest we not forget, if you run aground you are supposed to display three cojones. Although, I'm thinking that most everyone would put that IRPCS requirement rather low on the mariners To Do list if and when they run aground.



Now that could warrant the subject of a new thread titled: Do you use cojones? If so, how many cojones do you use, and what size are your cojones?

And with that follow on polling, begs for the further thread topic question of: How are your cojones hung?
To which thread our noble and appreciated moderators may be kept busy reviewing and censoring attached pictures.

Nota bene: Blue balls don't qualify under COLREGs. But I have read that there are at least fifty shades of marine grey / gray.

[Cpt Pat]

With regard to dayshape sizes being smaller than specified, see the COLREGs:

ANNEX I

POSITIONING AND TECHNICAL DETAILS OF LIGHTS AND SHAPES

6. Shapes

(c) In a vessel of less than 20 metres in length shapes of lesser dimensions but commensurate with the size of the vessel may be used and the distance apart may be correspondingly reduced.

So, if you have a 10 meter vessel the anchor ball (and other shapes and spacings) can be half the specified size.

[BlackHeron]

OK, then...so who here flies a cone when motor-sailing? Who even has one? We have three balls. I've never seen a small version cone at any sailing shop ever, although I see they are available at Defender for a reasonable price. I really should order one and be compliant by flying it.

https://www.defender.com/product3.js...133&id=2492605

[Training Wheels]

So who’s more liable, if a sailboat motoring not showing a cone hits an anchored boat, not showing a ball, and not standing a watch?

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by BlackHeron

OK, then...so who here flies a cone when motor-sailing? Who even has one? We have three balls. I've never seen a small version cone at any sailing shop ever, although I see they are available at Defender for a reasonable price. I really should order one and be compliant by flying it.

https://www.defender.com/product3.js...133&id=2492605

I have to smile , an inverted cone flown in the foretriangle whilst motorsailing will be almost invisible to most other vessels, well concealed by the sail.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

I have to smile , an inverted cone flown in the foretriangle whilst motorsailing will be almost invisible to most other vessels, well concealed by the sail.

Except when motor sailing into the wind with just a main sheeted in tight


(I rarely find occasion to motor sail with a headsail)

[Jim Cate]

So, if you have a 10 meter vessel the anchor ball (and other shapes and spacings) can be half the specified size

Just how do you come up with the one half size from what the CPLREG says? It just says commensurate with the size... nothing specific as I read it.

Jim

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Cpt Pat

...(c) In a vessel of less than 20 metres in length shapes of lesser dimensions but commensurate with the size of the vessel may be used and the distance apart may be correspondingly reduced.

So, if you have a 10 meter vessel the anchor ball (and other shapes and spacings) can be half the specified size.

You could equally argue that if the 458m long Knock Nevis only needs a 0.6m diameter ball, a 10m vessel only needs a 1.3cm diameter ball

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by BlackHeron

OK, then...so who here flies a cone when motor-sailing? Who even has one? We have three balls. I've never seen a small version cone at any sailing shop ever, although I see they are available at Defender for a reasonable price. I really should order one and be compliant by flying it.

https://www.defender.com/product3.js...133&id=2492605

Well, all of us, over here, where failing to do so will get you a fine. The German Kustwache will, in particular, kick your backside, if they catch you motorsailing without a cone, where this is vigorously enforced. Belgians and French are also known to be strict.


Not enforced AFAIK in UK waters, but I've never seen a UK boat which didn't have a cone on board, and most UK sailors use the cone.



It can be tricky to find a place for the cone where it is visible, if the jib is being used, but normally from the starboard flag halyard so that a vessel to our starboard will know that we will give way, rather than stand on.


If you're motor sailing and the engine is being started and shut down, and especially if you're actually sailing but just use the engine briefly for some reason, it can be a PITA to keep raising and lowering the cone, especially short handed, so everyone I know cheats once and a while.


The main thing to keep in mind if you do cheat -- behave like you're under sail, so you don't confuse anyone, or call on the VHF and say you'll be giving way.




And for those who don't use the cone -- how do you behave when you're motorsailing? Is it OK with you that you may need to be giving way, but other vessels misunderstand your status and incorrectly give way themselves? Do you worry about confusion?

[fxykty]

As a sailboat, if no sails are flying and you’re motoring, no cone. If mainsail only then cone in foretriangle. If jib only then cone under spreader. If both sails up, sail. If you must motor, furl or lower the headsail, otherwise who can see the cone?

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Montanan

And lest we not forget, if you run aground you are supposed to display three balls and two vertical red lights. Although, I'm thinking that most everyone would put that IRPCS requirement rather low on the mariners To Do list if and when they run aground.

Only if you are over 12m, though I will admit I had to go and look up the rules.

Pete

[dfelsent]

Edge cases. The rule says “A vessel proceeding under sail shall .....”
A yawl or ketch with only the mizzen up as a stabilizer. Cone or no cone? A fishing boat with a stabilizing sail? A trawler with a stabilizing sail?
How does enforcement handle that in actual practice?

[Spot]

The under-hatch storage solution is awesome.
I got mine cut out, 15.5" [.4m] vessel is less than 20m.
Okay, maybe only a 1/3 of 20m