Association Forum - oil anchor lamp

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

oil anchor lamp - Legal?

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

TomA
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
91 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/24/2003 : 17:14:17

In this month's Sail Magazine there is an article about equiping a pocket cruiser. The author is interested in reducing his amp consumption and uses an oil anchor lamp.

In prior years, the catalog companies have said these lamps are not coast guard approved. However, I noticed that no such statement is made in the current West Marine catalog.

Has there been a change in policy? Does anyone know if using an oil anchor lamp is okay?

Tom

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2003 : 22:17:18

Cant comment on current law, suggest call Coast Guard. In a past life I taught seamanship for the Power Squadron. Told class story of a sailor, asleep in his boat, Guest battery powered anchor light hung up on forestay as all of us have done so many times years ago. Drunk powerboat guy comes along at speed, smashes into him, property damage and personal injury. Powerboat guys sues, saying the light, although visible and bright, failed to meet the two-mile Coast Guard rule. He wins. Should have beentaken out and shot, but he WINS. This gave me pause, as I had used the same light for many years. Now and then the bear gets you, I guess, regards ron srsk Orion #2343 1981 SW FL

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2003 : 22:17:27

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2003 : 22:17:49

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2003 : 22:18:00

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2003 : 22:20:16

sorry about repetitions, either computer idiocy or computer hiccups, ron

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2003 : 22:23:32

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
sorry about repetitions, either computer idiocy or computer hiccups, ron
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Abada...abada...abada...That's all folks!

[Sorry, couldn't pass that up.]

J.B. Manley, Antares '86 FK/SR #4849
Grand Lake O' The Cherokees, NE Oklahoma

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2003 : 01:19:49

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> Does anyone know if using an oil anchor lamp is okay?
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

While not scientific, you could hang it up and go out 2 miles to determine if you can see it, but I'd guess it would be tough to see. But it may also be difficult to see the stock 12v anchor light at the top of my mast from 2 miles.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Should have been taken out and shot, but he WINS.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Another reason to load up on liability coverage.

Edited by - RichardG on 07/25/2003 01:22:30

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2003 : 10:14:36

I'd call West Marine customer service and ask them...

IMHO stuff as far as anchor lights... I think your choice of light location should consider your sailing venue. If your primary risk is from small powerboats, a masthead light may be ineffective (too far off the water) for them to notice unless they are looking up & etc...

If your primary risk is larger vessels, a masthead would be better.

I'd posted a story here before about a guy who got t-boned by a drunken powerboater on Clear Lake (CA)... bottom line is that he now lights his boat up like a floating city when at anchor.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

Edited by - on

TomA
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
91 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2003 : 11:30:35

I took your advice and called West Marine. They contacted the manufacturer of the anchor lamps and were told the USCG has not approved any oil lamps for anchoring or navigational purposes. So there we have it.

I guess we'll have to look elsewhere for ideas to cut electrical consumption.

Tom

Edited by - on

Ellis Bloomfield
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
85 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2003 : 11:35:32

I also can't comment on legality but my boat came with one of these small lanterns and I use it on Superior. It's amazing, it has a quarter inch wick which burns about a quarter high flame behind a Fresnel lens (the same type that used to be used in lighthouses). When anchored close to other boats it appears to put out at least as much light as the electrics. I run it up the jib halyard with a line down from the bottom to tie it away from the mast. I'd probably think twice about using it in a high traffic area.
Ellis

Edited by - on

77Gypsy
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
356 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2003 : 14:36:08

I'm not sure of the legality. however, i've hoisted a flashlight a few times as a 360 degree anchor light, i would hate for the oil lamp to fall and start a fire.

Steve
78 C25 SR/FK - Gypsy
<img src="http://www.websdf.com/logo_web.jpg" border=0>

Edited by - on

skipn809
Navigator

Members Avatar

111 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2003 : 23:50:21

I bought a quality oil lamp, I anchor out of the traffic way and kick back and relax.

Skip 1985 C-25 T/R #5121 "Corporal Punishment" N.E. Mo.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.