Navigation light pole - which side on Bombard 380 transom

Firstrib · 31 January 2016, 11:00

Hello
I have just bought a (huge, legally compliant 112.5 1m etc. etc.) aluminium light pole with green/red lights at base and white light at the top with four bolts for fixing on the transom. Hopefully it won't weaken the transom.

Are there any tips from anyone for fixing - starboard or port, do the regulations state or does it matter how near they are to the centre of the boat?

jonp · 31 January 2016, 11:37

Have you considered using trailblazer RAILBLAZA boat mounts for decks & rails | RAILBLAZA

They have mountings for just about any surface, pole extenders and even battery led Nav lights that meet international regs.

I use the pole with led lights fixed to my centre console.

Jon

Firstrib · 31 January 2016, 12:07

Hi, thanks, they look good, however I have bought the aluminium light pole and only have the transom as a fixed piece of wood on my inflatable to fix to, not sure which side yet, will try and decide next time I am out

spartacus · 31 January 2016, 13:20

Get some pictures posted of the light-pole and transom. A high light pole has the potential to flex, so the mount has to be solid as a rock.

9D280 · 01 February 2016, 13:08

From memory when I did mine (just the white - the R/G are o nthe main body of the A-frame) there is a line in the regs that says something to the effect of "centreline unless it's not possible"....or words to that effect.

Now, as you have an O/B dead centre and therefore can't mount it there you could go to either side. The Q is what else do you have on your transom for it to get i nthe way of? Also proportionally is a foot or two left or right going to make any difference as long as the R&G are facing the right way?

Fenlander · 01 February 2016, 14:58

Firstrib as your light setup is going to be so much better than those that carry on into the dark with just an emergency head torch (or nothing) I'd go with 9D280's comments... as near the c/l as outboard and other transom attachments allow... I'm guessing that would put the pole between outboard and transom wheel leg??

Look forward to seeing the images when you have it fitted.

Tim M · 01 February 2016, 20:43

It really doesn't matter where on the transom the pole is. I personally would keep it as far over to one side as possible to avoid it getting in the way of the engine.

Poly · 01 February 2016, 21:14

Are your R/G lights going to be visible if they are close to the bottom of the pole (i.e. just above transom and obstructed by Pax, Engine etc).