Anyone recommend a deck light?

[kchunk]

I'm looking to install a deck light. I like the idea of the combination steaming/deck light assemblies (photo below) but have read a few occurrences where when tacking the headsail can catch on these lights and either tear/chafe the headsail or pull the light right off the mast.

Does anyone have a combination light that they'd recommend or NOT recommend?

I suppose I could always go with a set of spreader light instead, aiming one on the cockpit and one on the foredeck. That might actually be a better idea...

[doug]

I can't recommend a specific brand of light. However, we have the combination deck/steaming light (very similar to the one in your photo) and have been very happy with it. At the mast height it is mounted, I don't see how the genny could hang up on the fixture, but I guess anything is possible. It does not light up the deck like the having dual lights mounted on the spreaders, but It is quite bright enough for our purposes.

[skip1930]

I'm going to remain in the dark with this idea. Light pollution and all.

skip.

[Billy]

agree w/ Skip.
I feel that a liight reflecting off the deck will not allow your eyes to properly adjust to the night light. I've had a spotlight out and the only thing I could see was the deck the rest of the sea was just a black abyss. Maybe while at anchor or on a really big boat I could see it useful, but not with these little guys. And do you have to run different wires and add a switch to your panel, and if not does it only come on when the steaming light is on? Is that legal?

Less is more.

[brackish]

I have a combo and each light can be used independently of each other.  Think that is the way they all are if wired to separate switches.  Wouldn't use the deck light underway unless for a very short time to clear a foul or change a sail.  I don't know what the model is, a Perko I think, it was stock on the boat, so maybe Hutchins can tell you what they used.  My jenny has never hung on it when tacking (135).   I have much more of a problem with the clew/sheet knot hanging on the shrouds in light air tacks, close reach to close reach.  May have to add some roller tubes.

Well, off for a sail.  Prediction of 67F with 8-10 from the SSW and crystal clear skies.  Can't let that get by...going to play with my asymmetrical a little today.

[kchunk]

We've spent plenty of nights out on our 23 that I know a deck light will be useful. Of course its for use at anchor...
I figured while the stick is down I'm using the opportunity to rewire the mast, install the new combination light and new switch for the deck light.

Brackish I know what you mean about the sheet knot. Ever tried running the sheets inboard of the shrouds or inboard of the upper shrouds"

[brackish]

Brackish I know what you mean about the sheet knot. Ever tried running the sheets inboard of the shrouds or inboard of the upper shrouds"

No I haven't. Is that commonly done?  Might be OK for a very close reach, but seems like it would require a reset if you fall off the wind any or the sheeting angle would be influenced by interference with the shroud.

You already know this I'm sure but you'll need to change your wiring socket by the mast.  This one carries three and a common negative.

[Shawn]

"Might be OK for a very close reach, but seems like it would require a reset if you fall off the wind any or the sheeting angle would be influenced by interference with the shroud."

What size headsail do you have? When I have the 110 up I have the sheets inside of the uppers (per the manual) but with the 130 the sheets are outside of the shrouds. Close hauled it can sometimes be a pain getting the knot on the inside of the uppers. Might try the PVC tube trick to prevent this.

Shawn

[kchunk]

My 23 has plenty of deck connectors installed by a PO, 1 for coax, and 3 electric (one is capped, one for anchor light and one for steaming light). One of the connectors has 3-conductors. I'll run that one to the combination steaming/deck light and the other 2-conductor connector to the anchor light with its own ground. I'm not so crazy of all the lights sharing a common ground, but since the combination steaming/deck light is one assembly they can share a ground.

Another question, do you know what kind of strain relief is used on your wiring? When I removed the wiring, I didn't really find any, per se. The anchor light wiring was run through a thick piece of plastic tubing and the tubing forced through the hole in the mast (I assume the friction of the plastic tube was the strain relief). The steaming light was just held in place by the wire ties spaced a foot apart or so the length of the wire in the mast. I assume the cable ties prevent the wires from banging around inside the mast and maybe provide enough friction to hold the shorter steaming light wire in place not requiring strain relief. Any opinions here?

[brackish]

Another question, do you know what kind of strain relief is used on your wiring? When I removed the wiring, I didn't really find any, per se. The anchor light wiring was run through a thick piece of plastic tubing and the tubing forced through the hole in the mast (I assume the friction of the plastic tube was the strain relief). The steaming light was just held in place by the wire ties spaced a foot apart or so the length of the wire in the mast. I assume the cable ties prevent the wires from banging around inside the mast and maybe provide enough friction to hold the shorter steaming light wire in place not requiring strain relief. Any opinions here?

Mine just has rubber grommets that are stuck in the drilled hole and are somewhat tight on the cables.  Using the cable ties with the ends left long is a good idea, I think, I don't have them and definitely get some slap inside the mast which is much louder than I would have thought.  Will probably redo the whole thing next time the mast is down.

[Potcake boy]

My 23 has plenty of deck connectors installed by a PO, 1 for coax, and 3 electric (one is capped, one for anchor light and one for steaming light). One of the connectors has 3-conductors. I'll run that one to the combination steaming/deck light and the other 2-conductor connector to the anchor light with its own ground. I'm not so crazy of all the lights sharing a common ground, but since the combination steaming/deck light is one assembly they can share a ground. 

Greg - I've used a common ground with no problem - saves wiring weight.  LEDs if you can find a fixture thus equipped will require lighter wire as well.  You could use a common ground and a 3 conductor with two terminating at the deck/steam light fixture.
P.S. Got my tri pretty well fitted out - were in the Conquistador regatta last weekend (had a blast).  So far she has topped out at about 15knts but I haven't gotten the Code 0 rigged yet, that should be a nice gain in performance.  You must visit sometime to go for a sail (or two).
My old 19 is with very nice couple who live in Winter Haven but keep her at the air base on Tampa Bay.

Cheers,
Ron

[kchunk]

Howdy Ron! Nice to see you uppity multi-hull "sailors" still hangin out in the monohull part of town 

I ran a 3-conductor wire to the combination light and 2-conductor wire to the anchor light. I'm sure if I had used a single ground I would have been well within the capacity of the wire...but another thing to consider is that when a light stops working, other than the bulb, what's almost always the problem? The ground. The more appliances sharing a ground will just be more appliances not working when the ground goes bad.

Glad to hear about your new boat. Email me some pictures when you get time. I wish I had thought about your invitation to go sailing about a week ago or so. The kids are on spring break and my son would have loved to have come along for a ride on one of them speedy sailboats! Maybe this summer? You heading to the Keys at all?

[Potcake boy]

Glad to hear about your new boat. Email me some pictures when you get time. I wish I had thought about your invitation to go sailing about a week ago or so. The kids are on spring break and my son would have loved to have come along for a ride on one of them speedy sailboats! Maybe this summer? You heading to the Keys at all?
[/quote]
Greg - in fact I have been contemplating a trip to the Keys this summer - what better a thing to do with a sailboat.  Are you planning your family vacation there again this summer?

Ron