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Light package

Started by Ksp597, February 21, 2017, 12:50:36 PM

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Ksp597

  With the optional light package, does it come with a anchor light?

CayugaSailor

Yes it does. Includes Masthead (white), Port (red), Starboard (green), and Anchor (white).

Mike K

Hi,
Well, yes it does come with an anchor light at the top of the mast.  However, I do not use it for 2 reasons:

1.  It is an incandescent bulb, which drains your battery fairly quickly.  I think it uses over 1 amp-hour.
2.  It is at the top of the mast, which in my opinion is not good in a crowded anchorage with powerboats buzzing around at night.  I sailed into a crowded harbor at night once, and almost hit a sailboat with a mast top anchor light only.  It's really hard to distinguish a mast top light for stars when dark.  And who looks directly above them when navigating?

So, I use a great little LED anchor light that I can plug into the 12V lighter socket in the cabin, or a separate Harbor Freight jump starter battery with a 12V outlet.  Very low battery draw (0.1 Amp-Hour) and has a sensor that shuts off at dawn. I hang it from the shrouds just about head level so it can be seen all around (so the flaked mainsail doesn't block it).  It also gives some light for moving around the boat (unlike top of mast light), and provides some light to other portions of the boat so someone can see that they are indeed looking at a vessel and not a star.  And it's closer to their eye level where they are navigating.

Another bonus is I can take it with me when I bareboat charter away from my home.  I used it on a dark moonless night on a 35' catamaran I chartered, and I felt safer when powerboats buzzed by me at 20 knots.  If I only had a masthead light, I would be praying they didn't smash into me.

I got it from Sailors Solution and the link is below if interested.
http://www.sailorssolutions.com/index.asp?page=ProductDetails&Item=LEDPC01
Mike K.  2015 Eclipse  Previously owned Com-Pac Legacy, Precision 21, MacGregor 21 Seaward 25

CayugaSailor

Sounds like a great set up!

Ksp597

  Thanks for the answers.  I grew up on sailboats and owned a Catalina Capri 22 that I sold because I couldn't afford dock rent anymore.  Thinking about Legacy because I can keep it on trailer next to my house and I miss sailing and want to show my kids.