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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Mast Lights

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Rich P
1st Mate

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USA
77 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/03/2008 : 16:55:21

So I am going through the rats nest of wiring and trying to make sense of everything. I've got the bow light (midway up mast that shines on bow deck) working and labeled right. Next is the anchor light. I would expect this to be the white light at the top of the mast, but when I flip the switch, the front of the "bow light" lights up. I can not get the light at the top of the mast to light yet and am about to call it a burnt out bulb. Does anyone know what bulb might be up there? Would be much nicer to only have to go up once. Also, what should turn on the top of the mast light? I would think top of the mast is the anchor light and the forward portion of the "bow light" should go on with running lights. I also have a breaker for Spreader lights. Since there are no lights mounted on the spreaders:
1. how hard would it be to get spreader lights mounted?
2. are they necessary/advantageous?
3. should I just scrap the spreader lights and use that circuit for the many other un-fused things on the boat (stereo, depth finder, cigarette lighter sockets, etc.)

Edited by - Rich P on 12/03/2008 16:56:10

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2008 : 20:53:40

A sailboat does not run any mast light while under sail.
The anchor light is on top
The forward facing white light midway up the mast is a steaming light and must only be used while under power
the down facing light is called a deck light
The forward hull running lights are called bow lights but Catalina labeled the switch for the steaming light bow light because they were idiots.
The aft hull running light is called the stern light
All running lights come on together
Spreader lights are cheesy

Edited by - on

Rich P
1st Mate

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USA
77 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2008 : 23:26:03

So would this work:
Anchor Light- white all around light at top of mast
Running Lights- white on starboard stern, red and green bow lights
Bow Light- white half way up mast pointing forward and white pointing on bow deck
Spreader Light- relabeled to Accessories

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2008 : 01:10:35

You should run a separate + for the deck light so you can switch it. One 4 conductor cable up the mast covers it. I intend to replace my stern light, located on the port coaming, with a rail mounted one above the rudder. With the required arc and LEDs, it shouldn't light the cockpit or my dark adapted eyes.

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2008 : 06:51:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Bow Light- white half way up mast pointing forward and white pointing on bow deck<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The white light half way up the mast (steaming light)is on only when the engine is running. The steaming light and the deck work light should be on their own switchs.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2008 : 07:48:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 I intend to replace my stern light, located on the port coaming, with a rail mounted one above the rudder. With the required arc and LEDs, it shouldn't light the cockpit or my dark adapted eyes.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Remember how many bugs are attracted to that light on hot summer nights. I would not move one from the transom to the rail.

Edited by - on

Rich P
1st Mate

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USA
77 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2008 : 10:01:18

So maybe I'll have the "bow light" switch light steaming light (forward portion of the mid mast light) and wire the "spreader light" for the deck light. Now I have to come up with another circuit somewhere for accessories.

Edited by - on

skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2008 : 18:20:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Rich P
 So maybe I'll have the "bow light" switch light steaming light (forward portion of the mid mast light) and wire the "spreader light" for the deck light. Now I have to come up with another circuit somewhere for accessories.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If by "bow light" you mean the read and green running light on the bow, you should not have the steaming light on when sailing at night. So if you sail at night you need to have the bow light on but not the steaming light. Of course if you are under power, then you do need both the bi-color bow light and the white steaming light on concurrently.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2008 : 19:33:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by skrenz
 ...So if you sail at night you need to have the bow light on but not the steaming light. Of course if you are under power, then you do need both the bi-color bow light and the white steaming light on concurrently.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...plus, in either case, the white stern light (which should be switched with the red-greens). Of course, as proposed in another thread, maybe you should just have a dozen million-candlepower lights to point at your sails, the cabin and deck, your crew, and any approaching boat whenever you're on the water at night.

(Just kidding--it'll kill your night vision.)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 12/04/2008 19:49:12

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2008 : 20:23:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Rich P
 So would this work:
Anchor Light- white all around light at top of mast
Running Lights- white on starboard stern, red and green bow lights
Bow Light- white half way up mast pointing forward and white pointing on bow deck
Spreader Light- relabeled to Accessories

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
yes that would work, you get it.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2008 : 20:29:18

Edited by - on

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