Nav lights question

bigNeil · 08 March 2007, 15:23

Hiya, quick question.

Our white stern/nav light is currently on a post on top of the a-frame (see photo). Obviously this is a good place for best visibity at night, but we're going to be doing a lot of photography this summer, and it's bound to get in the way.

Is there any important reason not to move the light onto the top of the a-frame, and lose the post completely? Is there a recommended minimum vertical distance between red/green and white lights? Does it affect MCA coding at all (not currently coded, but may seek it next year)?

Thanks

Searider · 08 March 2007, 15:44

Should be a metre vertical separation between side lights and the masthead light.

Neil Harvey · 08 March 2007, 15:47

I seem to recall a minimum height difference of +1m for the white.

vince · 08 March 2007, 15:47

Hi Neil, theres no reason why you cant put a hinged locking clamp onto the bottom of the existing light pole, then you can keep the height, but if its getting in the way of a shot, undo clamp and move outa the way.

bigNeil · 08 March 2007, 15:49

Thanks Duncan, just run out and measuerd it and ... yes, it's currently 1m!

Is that an MCA rule?

bigNeil · 08 March 2007, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by vince

Hi Neil, theres no reason why you cant put a hinged locking clamp onto the bottom of the existing light pole, then you can keep the height, but if its getting in the way of a shot, undo clamp and move outa the way.

Vince, the post is removable, remove the pin and pull the post upwards.

Yes, I suppose I could have it taped to the top of the a-frame for normal use, and put it back on for nighttime. Just thought it would be cleaner to remount.

vince · 08 March 2007, 16:04

You could use one of these to keep it looking neat?

jyasaki · 08 March 2007, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigNeil

Vince, the post is removable, remove the pin and pull the post upwards.

Yeah, but are the electrical connections hard-wired, or do you have some sort of connections?

Quite a few lake boats here have removable all-around lights. Sort of a bayonet type mount that locks the pole in place and makes the electrical connections. Gotta watch for corrosion on the contacts, though, I'd guess.

jky

bigNeil · 08 March 2007, 16:36

Thanks everyone!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Yeah, but are the electrical connections hard-wired, or do you have some sort of connections?

Quite a few lake boats here have removable all-around lights. Sort of a bayonet type mount that locks the pole in place and makes the electrical connections. Gotta watch for corrosion on the contacts, though, I'd guess.

jky

jky, the wire is continuous, comes out of the underside of the a-frame and into the post, so stays connected even when the post is removed.

jyasaki · 09 March 2007, 02:34

Yeah; That's sort of what I thought.

I was thinking you want is something like this:

This thingie: http://www.pleasureboatmarine.com/peunrewhalpo.html

which fits into this thingie: http://www.pleasureboatmarine.com/pespbaforpol.html

Actually, there's a pretty wide variety of light styles you can choose from, and you'd probably have to fabricate a bracket and clamp for the socket. But you get the idea.

jky

bigNeil · 09 March 2007, 09:50

Thanks for the links!

Searider · 09 March 2007, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigNeil

Thanks Duncan, just run out and measuerd it and ... yes, it's currently 1m!

Is that an MCA rule?

International Regulations of the Prevention of Collisions at Sea.

Applies to all vessels - commercial or not.

It's disappointing to see poor nav lights on so many ribs.

Folding or removeable mast would do the trick.

Used to have a removeable A frame on my 5.4m searider - was very handy a couple of times.

bigNeil · 09 March 2007, 23:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searider

International Regulations of the Prevention of Collisions at Sea.

Applies to all vessels - commercial or not.

It's disappointing to see poor nav lights on so many ribs.

Folding or removeable mast would do the trick.

Used to have a removeable A frame on my 5.4m searider - was very handy a couple of times.

Thanks for that. Yes, I had been looking at any photos of other a-frames, and there seem to be loads about that have much smaller vertical separations between lights, suppose it's down to form over function.

al40 · 11 March 2007, 14:19

Another point to conside for the all round white is that it needs to be high enough so you don't obscure it if you stand up!

There are pleanty of installations where the all round white is mounted direct onto the A-Frame which is easily blocked by heads!

I got one of these. It's maybe not the most robust but is easily folded. Seems to have stood up to the waves and weather so far! http://www.marinescene.co.uk/product...te-pole-light-

Again, it's hard wired but does at least fold so it can lie along top of A-Frame

Good Luck!

BruceB · 26 March 2007, 00:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searider

It's disappointing to see poor nav lights on so many ribs.

or None!
I only have the one tricolour on my frame but there isn't really an easy way of mounting a full set on the fairly skimpy frame Humber supplied with the boat. The next one will be better, after the wife finally gets her new kitchen.

Searider · 29 March 2007, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

or None!
I only have the one tricolour on my frame.

Sailing boat then!

al40 · 07 April 2007, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by al40

I got one of these. It's maybe not the most robust but is easily folded. Seems to have stood up to the waves and weather so far! http://www.marinescene.co.uk/product...te-pole-light-

Well today I looked round to find said light swinging happily from its cable having snapped at the bracket - it appears these are not up to the job!

Al.

bedajim · 08 April 2007, 06:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by al40

Well today I looked round to find said light swinging happily from its cable having snapped at the bracket - it appears these are not up to the job!

Al.

Yep that happend to mine too

James