NAVIGATION LIGHT ON TOP OF RADAR MAST

[BOBCAT]

Recently lost the light from top of the mast on my 2009 Ranger 21. Is it something that I can buy at West Marine or must it come from the factory?

 

[Andrew Custis]

We purchase the light from Aqua Signal. You could order on Amazon or from us. Part #25000-1

Best regards,
Andrew Custis

 

[brhodes]

We just use a garden solar light! Got the idea from the Port Nut, another Ranger 21 like ours. Inexpensive and effective. Use "rubber leg tips" from Home Depot to mount the light over the standard boat flange.

 

[gerlots]

solar light works good for me also, $4.99, can't beat the price, and you never have to remember to turn it on.

 

[fran uteg]

Hello Bobcat
Saw your post on the loss of your masthead light and Andrew's response. I have the factory light (Aqua Signal) on my 2011 21EC but have replaced to incandescent bulb with an LED array that provides me with a three/four NM visibility. The LEDs are a perfect fit in the Aqua Signal and they come in red and green for the sidelights, and white for the masthead light. If you are considering a "solar Garden" light keep in mind that the masthead has to be a 360 degree light showing for two nautical miles and if you were to use a white stern light it has to show 135 degrees for two miles. These regs are for power boats less than 12 meters or 39.4 feet. If you get the Aqua Signal and are interested in the LED systems you can order them through Marinebeam lights, telephone 864-214-5337. Hope this is of some help in getting you a replacement and keeping you legal in US waters ....... Fran Uteg 😉

 

[Levitation]

aaahhh I hate it when I go all technical, but I feel compelled here - or maybe the debbil is making me do it :mrgreen:
Your garden solar light will likely work just fine until a really warm place has a hard frost.
But (big one) I suspect it does not meet the Colregs.
Why does it matter, you ask all dewy eyed and innocent (blink, blink, blink).
Well, it matters for that one in a zillion chance that at 3AM some drunk on a ski-doo punches through the side of your hull, offing himself and his little 17 year old princess of a date, in the process
(the princess snuck out through her bedroom window at midnight to go with said 32 year old drunk and her attorney parents are going to be out for blood)
So things are looking pretty good for you - innocent bystander, peacefully sleeping the sleep of the just, in your properly moored boat.
And then the junk yard dog lawyer the parents hired to do their dirty work discovers that your masthead light is (gasp) not Colreg compliant.
In that instant you go from being 0% liable (Admiralty Court) to 70% liable. The claim is for a 100 million bucks and you have (likely) a million in coverage. I hope you have 69 million stashed because that award cannot be erased through the bankruptcy court.
Ah yes, the wonders of the American judicial system :roll:

 

[SGIDAVE]

I have great respect for PORT NUT and really like the boat's name too. I have copied several of his modifications he shows on his webpage.

We make our decisions WHERE to cut corners...or go "cheap." I choose NOT to do so in the area of NAV lights. As Denny and Fran point out the All Around anchoring light is a legally mandated piece of SAFETY EQUIPMENT. And it has legally mandated specifications, again as Denny has so thoughtfully laid out in his disastrous liability scenario. Think of it as being in the same category as your fire extinguisherS, first aid kit, PFDs, and VHF radio. We count on this stuff to work and WORK WELL when we need it.

We're all adults and I mean no disrespect to ANYONE here. You are free to use a candle for your all around if you like. I like CHEAP boat stuff as much as anyone, but come on...the Aqua Signal light (a very NICE light by the way) is $23.14 at Amazon AND it comes with a bulb! Go ten bucks more and you can get a nice LED bulb with it and now you've got a GREAT light which is LEGAL and uses VERY LITTLE current to run all night. Look here (http://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Signal-All-R ... +series+25).

Fair Winds and Highly Visible All-Around Lights,

/david

 

[Rodeo]

Off subject but in answer to the previous post about potential legal problems from a non approved light. One of the reasons LLC's were invented is this kind of scenario, I would never title a boat in anything but an LLC in todays world.

 

[SGIDAVE]

Off subject but in answer to the previous post about potential legal problems from a non approved light. One of the reasons LLC's were invented is this kind of scenario, I would never title a boat in anything but an LLC in todays world.

I don't claim to be a legal expert.

My layperson understanding of LLC protection is it will insulate you from CIVIL liability. This benefit alone is very significant. It does not, however, protect you from CRIMINAL liability OR when you "break the law" (such as non-compliant All-Around light, not enough fire extinguishers or PFDs, etc).

The JDs on the board will correct me...

Fair Winds and LLC Protections,

/dave