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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Silly lighting question

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/01/2008 : 16:03:04

I know this sounds dumb, but... which way around should the mast light face?

I ask because in prep for our trip this weekend, I was checking the light fixture on the front of the mast. We have the dual lighting fixture, one illuminates the deck and the other .. well that's the question.

The top lamp housing has a reflector, I have never removed it since we bought the boat new. While looking at it to determine how to remove it in case the lamp needed replacement, I noticed that the reflector (silvered side) of the fixture was away from the mast. This would cause the lamp to illuminate the mast itself rather than shine forwards.

Paul

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2008 : 16:27:28

Paul, the upper light is supposed to be a "steaming light," illuminated when you are under power at night. It should shine towards the bow of the boat.

Brooke

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2008 : 17:01:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 I know this sounds dumb, but... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Well, Paul... I won't comment on that except to suggest that you pick up a copy of Chapman Piloting and enjoy it. It explains all of this and a lot more that every sailor should know--except maybe the ones on ponds by themselves. I only want to make sure you know what lights to use and when.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
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Response Posted - 01/01/2008 : 17:12:44

How could a reflector get turned around? Very strange.

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Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 01/01/2008 : 20:08:34

Uh, just make sure the spreaders point towards the aft.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 01/01/2008 20:09:23

britinusa
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Response Posted - 01/02/2008 : 06:55:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Frank Hopper
 How could a reflector get turned around? Very strange.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Agreed, as it was that way since we got the boat I figured it was normal.

IMHO Asking dumb questions helps reduce ignorance.

Paul

Edited by - britinusa on 01/02/2008 06:55:54

Prospector
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Canada
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Response Posted - 01/03/2008 : 13:37:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 I know this sounds dumb, but... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Well, Paul... I won't comment on that except to suggest that you pick up a copy of Chapman Piloting and enjoy it.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I got a copy of this for christmas. it is a lot of reading, but I'm getting comfortable with it... I have been told it is illegal to use the book as moveable ballast while racing.

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Champipple
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Response Posted - 01/03/2008 : 14:30:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector

I got a copy of this for christmas. it is a lot of reading, but I'm getting comfortable with it... I have been told it is illegal to use the book as moveable ballast while racing.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Unless....what if it was a lumpy light air day and you put your two fat guys in the cabin and by chance they happen to read the book while sitting on the high side?

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 01/03/2008 : 15:09:55

Don't you want your fat guys on the low side in light air?

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Champipple
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Response Posted - 01/04/2008 : 07:07:12

Yes most times, but you want them on top of the keel if it is lumpy and not moving, but the question I posed was in response to movable ballast so for the sake of arguement say the other 4 guys on the crew are already out of the doghouse on on the leeward rail and furthermore they are reading the book down below while roll tacking!

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2008 : 09:40:15

Ah-hah... the hidden roll-tack!

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ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2008 : 10:20:16

The thought of four-people roll-tacking a C25 brought to mind the picture of a 1930's bobsled team before they instituted weight-limits and invented wind-tunnel designs. I believe the heaviest team won and 4-person teams routinely approached 1300 pounds.

Was the reflector in front of the bulb or behind it? As long as the lens is concave the right way... I need to take apart the light and service it while the mast is down, I'll try to take a picture.

Edited by - ilnadi on 01/04/2008 10:20:51

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 01/04/2008 : 11:29:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ilnadi
 ...Was the reflector in front of the bulb or behind it? As long as the lens is concave the right way...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">It's possible that the reflector is supposed to be convex. The steaming light should show across 225 degrees so that with it and the sternlight on (135 degrees), one and only one white light is visible from any direction. (Whenever the white light is visible along with a red or green running light from another boat, under the rules of the road you're a motor vessel.)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/04/2008 11:37:48

britinusa
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Response Posted - 01/04/2008 : 12:03:49

The reflector is curved (so practically Concave) and is part of the glass and yes, it was fwd of the lamp.
I'm guessing the lamp would be correct in either position as the mast would obscure it about the right amount, but it would not 'shine' fwds. Anyway, it is now installed with the reflector aft of the lamp.

Still figuring out how rolling the crew around with book in hand would solve the light mystery

Paul

Edited by - on

Champipple
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Response Posted - 01/04/2008 : 12:54:21

What brand deck/steaming light combo is it?

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 01/04/2008 : 16:48:06

Duane, it's a Forespar fitting. The reflector is a simple piece of silver colored tape adhered to the inside of the glass.

Paul

Edited by - britinusa on 01/04/2008 16:49:06

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