Association Forum - CG Approved Anchor Light vs LED Lantern

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

CG Approved Anchor Light vs LED Lantern

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2012 : 05:03:14

Getting back to what GaryB originally posted: Is an LED lantern suitable as an anchor light. My question is, with what is available, DrLED replacement, why would you use the lantern.

The other thing to consider, how you use your boat. It's not like each of use are full time cruisers anchoring in strange places every night. I've replaced all my lights with DrLED, I think they are a huge improvement. However, I rarely sail at night, and only anchor out ten-twenty nights a year. And most of the time in places I am very familiar with. I feel safe.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2012 : 06:30:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 My original point was, the LED lanterns are not 360 degree light sources as required for anchor lights since the mast blocks part of the light. They are also not CG approved.

My other concern is if you are using aftermarket LED's and someone were to hit you. Seems like you would be totally open to lawsuits since technically the lights are not CG approved...Has anyone ever heard of the sheriff or CG actually opening up a fixture to check and see if the bulbs/LED's are CG approved?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Gary,

There is nothing the Sheriff, US Coast Guard, or any other law enforcement entity can do if your fixture does not have the certification/USCG approval label so long as the fixture meets the requirements (placement, visibility,...etc). What's better, a certified anchor light fixture than meets the minimum 2nm visibility range or a non-certified fixture that can be seen at 10nm?

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3476 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2012 : 08:15:26

The Disco Ball !

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2012 : 13:45:25

Larry - My anchor light works at this time so I'm really not worried about changin it until I take the mast down next time which I'm hoping will be awhile.

Davy -- I don't use a lantern. I brought this subject up so we could discuss the pros and cons of both and more to make people think about this from all angles including the legal side. Honestly, if I were on a lake and could anchor in a cove and my anchor light didn't work I'd probably use a lantern because no one is going to come up from the shore side anyway.

All - I totally agree that anything is better than nothing and especially if it meets or exceeds the minimum standards. One of my dock neighbors came in around 2 am Wednesday morning with the red bow light burned out and no steaming light at all.

My guess is unless it's a holiday weekend most of the "agencies" won't go in great detial on a stop. I always wear my infatable PFD just so they see from a distance that I'm trying to be safe. I think it has prevented at least on stop.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2012 : 19:19:25

While I was looking at new slips this weekend I met a guy that does marine wiring and lighting. He has a really nice Cal 40 that has the OGM bow and anchor lights. He said he swears by them. He sells and installs them along with other makes.

Larry - Is this the anchor light you have on your boat -->> http://tinyurl.com/OGM-Lights

Edited by - GaryB on 05/20/2012 19:38:04

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2012 : 20:05:20

Gary - That's what mine looks like, though, your link may be to a newer model that is now offered since mine was purchased over 5 years ago. I also bought it with the photodiode option which your link also mentions as an option. Gary - This newer model may fit the bracket on top of your mast, however, I needed a new mounting bracket and the guy that did the install for me back then, had a new bracket made up at a local machine shop.

Edited by - OLarryR on 05/20/2012 20:08:20

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2012 : 16:58:40

I ended up buying a Dr. LED bi-color bow light last week. It's at least as bright as the festoon bulb but you can definitely tell it's a LED just by looking at it. If the coasties want to give you some grief they will be able to without removing the lens.

Now my problem is getting the steaming light to work constantly. Went out the other night and could not get the steaming light to work. I only had to go about a mile before I could raise the sails so I just left the deck light on.

When I got out I raised the sails and turned off the deck light. Looked up a few minutes later and the steaming light was on (yes I was sure the switch was on before leaving the dock). There were a lot of power boats returning form the Friday night fireworks display so I just left it on since it was doing a nice job of lighting up the genoa. Sailed for an hour and a half before heading in. Light was still on when I furled the genoa and all the way into the marina. Pulled in my slip and got the boat tied up. Looked up for a second after securing the final dock line and the light was off again.

Nothing I did (shaking the mast, rigging, etc...) would make it even flicker. No clue why it would work flawlessly while I was out but not at the slip. There is no photo cell to turn it off when in the lighted area of the marina.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

2272 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2012 : 19:16:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 ...Nothing I did (shaking the mast, rigging, etc...) would make it even flicker. No clue why it would work flawlessly while I was out but not at the slip. There is no photo cell to turn it off when in the lighted area of the marina.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Did you shake the wire at the point where it enters the plug? That's a common point of failure, and it's possible the wind jiggled it for you when you got out. I discovered that last year, and fixed it by replacing the plug. In my case all the masthead lights failed unless I jiggled the wire just right - a sure sign that the bad wire was the common.

Edited by - TakeFive on 06/03/2012 19:17:44

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2012 : 19:37:13

Yeah, forgot to mention that. That was the first thing I did. I had problems last year until I cleaned all the contacts. Guess it's time to do it again.

Edited by - GaryB on 06/03/2012 19:37:41

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2012 : 08:33:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 Gary - That's what mine looks like, though, your link may be to a newer model that is now offered since mine was purchased over 5 years ago. I also bought it with the photodiode option which your link also mentions as an option. Gary - This newer model may fit the bracket on top of your mast, however, I needed a new mounting bracket and the guy that did the install for me back then, had a new bracket made up at a local machine shop.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Larry,

There's a guy near my new dock that owns a Cal 40 and he told me several weeks ago he sells and installs the OGM lights. He was explaining to me OGM now sells a combo steaming/anchor light and he was one on his boat along with the individual OGM bow lights. Apparently the steaming light works by using 2 switches. One switch turns on the front 225 degree and the 2nd switch turns on the rear 135 degrees to make it into an anchor light.

Last night my wife and I spent the night on the boat and he came in after dark. I didn't notice the bow lights but his OGM masthead steaming/anchor light was extremely bright. Way brighter than any other lights I have seen on any other boats.

I believe I may take the plunge.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2012 : 20:00:24

Gary,
That sounds like a new light combo they are selling !

The big plus is when going with a new fixture, the mounting can sometimes be tricky as not all hook up to standardized connections already on your mast plate and the fact that this guy sells and installs them, if you need assistance at least you have a guy that is experienced with it and can install it , if necessary.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2012 : 18:39:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 Gary,
That sounds like a new light combo they are selling !

The big plus is when going with a new fixture, the mounting can sometimes be tricky as not all hook up to standardized connections already on your mast plate and the fact that this guy sells and installs them, if you need assistance at least you have a guy that is experienced with it and can install it , if necessary.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yeah and he's only about 100' from my boat. I could back out of my slip with the mast down and put the light fixture on his foredeck.

Edited by - GaryB on 06/11/2012 18:40:02

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2012 : 21:33:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 Gary,
That sounds like a new light combo they are selling !
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Actually it's made by Signal Mate -->> http://www.miseagroup.com/solutions/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_5_11&products_id=40

Edited by - GaryB on 06/11/2012 21:36:17

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2012 : 04:01:09

No wonder it's bright - It's rated for 3NM !!

Edited by - on

Russelladams
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
2 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2012 : 02:16:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 Whenever we talk about nav lights it almost inevitably comes up that someone uses an LED lantern or such as an anchor light. Someone also usually mentions that using LED bulbs that are not CG approved is illegal.

The other night I started thinking about the above and wondered if the LED lantern setup is legal as an anchor light (seems like the mast would block some part of the required 360 degree light pattern). That got me wondering what the legal ramifications would be if someone in another boat (most likely power) were to hit you while you were at anchor and you were using an LED lantern as an anchor light? Especially if somone were hurt or worse.

Any thoughts?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Here LED headlights are not legal but still people use them and they look amazing

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2012 : 07:16:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Russelladams
 ...LED headlights are not legal but still people use them and they look amazing<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...until they flash in your eyes like a strobe when the other car hits a bump.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 12/21/2012 07:16:54

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2012 : 07:51:17

And, if you anchor in or near a high traffic area, hang a second lantern from the end of your boom or from the boom pigtail.

Edited by - on

Page: of 2

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.