The Steamboating Forum

Hi All,

If the Jackie Lee doesnt become a wreck dive on its first voyage I am going to have to start thinking about coast guard requirements. How do you have your stern lights set up ? My understanding is that they are to be the highest point on the boat...........that will look rather awkward as my stack is pretty high.

Do people mount the lights on their stacks ? If so, how do you deal with running wires so that they wont melt, look ugly etc.

jon

Try this site for UK info. http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/ ... sselLights

I thought any powered vessel under 45ft didn't need a stern light. That just shows how out of date I am!!!

Here you go, straight from the rules of the road. Rules 20 - 23 give the definitions and requirements for lights. Nothing is said about the stern light being mounted at the highest point.
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=na ... ent#rule20

Regardless of where you mount it, the primary thing I've learned from my two (so far) boardings for C.G. inspections is the light(s) must be visible from 1/2 mile. This said, current LED lights are easily visible from that range and can run for days on a couple D cells...or less. Although I haven't formally made the change yet, I've removed the kerosene wicks from inside my housings and have the LEDs to mount inside...this winter's project.

I've been using one like this: http://www.anchorlamps.com/BIGANCHOR10.html that runs on kerosene. I keep a bottle of kerosene onboard anyways to help light the fire quicker so there is always fuel for it. I used a stainless steel eye hook on a rib of my canopy and have a stainless carabiner holding it to that. It makes plenty of light and even helps illuminate the cockpit area a bit.