Anchor light at the top of the mast is not always required for 26?

[panda]

I read somewhere that our Mac's 26 are not required to display anchor light at the top of the mast unless anchored inside a channel - is this true? Really don't want to drill my mast...

And if I have to drill the mast - then what's the best way so far?

[pitchpolehobie]

I think they need a light if not at a marked anchorage, defer to authority.

[NiceAft]

I’m sure what I do is not legal.

What I do is hoist a large, battery powered Colman lantern with the halyard. I tape the battery chamber closed with duct tape.

I don’t anchor overnight often.

[panda]

I think as long as there is one light visible from all sides 2 miles away - this is legal. Not sure if it has to be on top of the mast.

[NiceAft]

The challenge with the light not being at the top of the mast is that it can not be seen 360 degrees.

A lantern hoisted up the mast is also not at the top.

[panda]

You are right. I'm installing the masthead light. That's it.

[NiceAft]

Be sure to post your mod in the "Mods" section so others can learn.

Click "Main Site", then go to "Mods."

[Russ]

A hoisted lantern was the way I used to do it. I'd let it swing off the jib halyard.

I installed a mast top light on the Mac. One night we were anchored in this isolated cove when a boat started coming at us. I'm sure they didn't see the light because it probably looked like a star. When they got too close for comfort I took a flashlight and put it on the cockpit and I heard "Oh look, there is a boat there" and they veered off.

So maybe a swinging from a halyard battery light would not appear as a star.

As for regs, outside of a designated anchorage, it's required. Obviously, in a mooring field, boats are not required to display a light.

[NiceAft]

I think Highlander installed a light on the end of each spreader. They aim downwards, so as to illuminate the deck at night.

[Starscream]

I would never trust the typical boater to see a masthead anchor light.

Put one there to be compliant, fine. But don't count on it to be seen.

What is actually going to get us noticed is our telescoping socket-mount all-around light that gets mounted in our steering pedestal and pushed up through a velcro flap cut in our cockpit enclosure. No, you can't directly see it from dead ahead because of the mast, but it lights up the boat a bit, and the Mac is always wandering around at anchor anyways.

Similar to this one, but telescoping:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B007PKBS4K/ref ... UTF8&psc=1

In risky areas we will also leave on our steaming light, and if I'm really worried we'll put on the deck-light too.

[Be Free]

I read somewhere that our Mac's 26 are not required to display anchor light at the top of the mast unless anchored inside a channel - is this true? Really don't want to drill my mast...

And if I have to drill the mast - then what's the best way so far?

You are required to have a masthead light that is visible for two miles, sidelights visible for one mile, a stern light visible for two miles and an all round white light visible for two miles. Note: the masthead light is not at the top of the mast, it is on the front of the mast. It is used at night when motoring or motorsailing.

While you are at anchor you must show an all-round white light where it can best be seen. For all practical purposes this is at the top of the mast.

You do not need an anchor light if you are anchored in a special anchorage. There are very few special anchorages. They are Federally designated. It is unlikely that any of us will ever anchor in one.

You may never anchor inside a channel except in an emergency. I assume you meant "near a channel".

You may also display any other lights to improve your visibility as long as they are not strobes or can be confused by any other navigation light.

[panda]

Hey - thanks for detailed information!

[Be Free]

I don't see what type of boat you have but since you posted in the power sailors forum I'll assume either an "X" or "M".

Drill a small hole near the base of the mast to pull your wires through. Adding a grommet to cut down on chafe is a good idea. You can find tips on getting through the flotation in the "M" mast with a quick search. The "X" does not have flotation in the mast and is easy to run wires through. You should also search for tricks for cutting down on wire "slap" inside the mast. If you think you may want to install anything else that will require wires it's a good idea to leave a pull string in the mast to save time later.

Paying a little more for an LED anchor light will save you a significant amount of power if you anchor out at night a lot.

[panda]

Hey, thanks. Mine is 26M. I'll connect it to the masthead light and update its switch to the DPDT one.

[Dguy]

3 garden led solar lights. 360 coverage.