R-23 lights for night time navigation.

[kkassahn]

Have you ever installed the bow lights (headlights) that the Cutwater 24 have on a R-23? Could it be done? Looking for a good solution as I sometimes cross at night. Don't like overhead spotlights with the glare. Any other good solutions here? may put one on the bow railing but looking for a better solution.

Thanks,
Kurt

 

[SgtAlf]

I use a head held spotlight, with a red lens filter, out the window. I've been blinded too many times by "headlights" and spotlights.

 

[iggy]

If you read the USCG Regs. Other than normal Nav lights can only be used.

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

Hi Kurt,

If the R23 is like the R27, the bow rail is continuous at the "vee".

Our previous SeaSport Explorer 2400 had a joint connected by a standard bow form and pop-riveted. I designed a new bow form with a top plate welded on to it and replaced original... all to add a Rigid Industries 8" combo LED light. It worked great!

I have added (3) RI LED lights to our R27 at the top of the mast... (1) 10" combo headlight and (2) 3" for port and starboard docking lights. Headlight gets too much bow glare!

Railmakers (Guy) in downtown Everett can fabricate stainless plates for you. Routing wires back to the helm is something you'll want to thoroughly understand before you invest in a light location.

Good luck!

Bob
The Doghouse 2

Ps: you might want to understand the laws regarding headlights underway.

 

[kkassahn]

Thanks Everyone.

I had a remote controlled spotlight mounted on my bow pulpit in the past that was OK.

The Coast Guard have been fine with this on the crossing we make. I think they interpret the last part of Rule 20:

Rule 20(b) The Rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise, and during such times no other lights shall be exhibited, except such lights which cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in these rules or do not impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out.

 

[SgtAlf]

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesFAQ
Middle of paragraph 14 the regs say;
"Should a mariner opt to use additional lighting, we suggest you look at this lighting from afar to ascertain whether it would violate Rule 20; and, we exhort you to adjust or refrain from using such lighting, if that is the case."

 

[iggy]

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesFAQ
Middle of paragraph 14 the regs say;
"Should a mariner opt to use additional lighting, we suggest you look at this lighting from afar to ascertain whether it would violate Rule 20; and, we exhort you to adjust or refrain from using such lighting, if that is the case."

I some ways a good point. But headlight are going to blind the on coming boats to the bow's Nav lights. Which will go against the rules.

 

[bob daily]

So what about the search light that's on about 90% of Ranger and Cutwater boats? A aft work light for fishing and any other lights that are on? As long as your running lights are visible and you can be identified as a boat, and other lights are not hampering your visibility or that of others you will not have any problems with the local code enforcement personal, other wise all Christmas boat parades would be cancelled! Bob

 

[iggy]

So what about the search light that's on about 90% of Ranger and Cutwater boats? A aft work light for fishing and any other lights that are on? As long as your running lights are visible and you can be identified as a boat, and other lights are not hampering your visibility or that of others you will not have any problems with the local code enforcement personal, other wise all Christmas boat parades would be cancelled! Bob

A search light is just that. Its not meant to be used as a head light. Fishing or work boats that are working are not moving better than headway or stationary and remember the Colregs. Boats that are fishing should have a red and white light on their mast head. Work boats such as a dredge should have red, white and red on there mast head. There is a lot more to this in the link. Common seance needs to be used on what lights are going to be used and how.

All I am trying t say is, You can't be running from point a to point b for miles using headlights or your search light as a headlight. If its dark out, you should not be going fast anyways.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/758786237188421358/

 

[BradOwens]

You can use auxiliary lights anytime you want, as long as other boats are not around. If you see another boat, just turn them off.

 

[Chimo]

Lots of sense here https://www.boatingmag.com/navigating-at-night/

I navigate slowly at night and rely on my night vision and instruments. I do have a handheld spot on board. It's for emergency like a MOB situation. I thought I would be using it to pick up out a buoy coming into a harbour but so far the plotter and radar look after that. Dimming all the interior lights is critical. I do carry night vision binoculars and can really recommend them.

 

[ixlr8]

Traveling slow at night and relying on night vision does not work well here in Maine with all the lobster pot buoys. I am putting a LED "fog" light on the bow of my boat. I am right next to the local Coast Guard station and I will review with them before I get too far.

 

[bob daily]

Don't you wish they would use leaded line! One time getting a crab pot, lobster pot line untangled from your prop in the middle of the night, and your thoughts on navigation lights will change! Remember that the safety of your boat and crew are the most important priorities! Bob

 

[Chimo]

Don't you wish they would use leaded line! One time getting a crab pot, lobster pot line untangled from your prop in the middle of the night, and your thoughts on navigation lights will change! Remember that the safety of your boat and crew are the most important priorities! Bob

Exactly the same problem we used to have with crab pots on the Chesapeake Bay. I used to think of them as "mines". Yes, it would be wonderful if they would all use weighted lines. In that case your boat will simply push them out of the way at the 3 to 4 kn you would be travelling. Perhaps if you cannot see them you are travelling too fast? If you can't see them, perhaps you shouldn't be out there?

 

[HudsonRanger15]

Greetings,
I got a lobster trap line on my prop , not fun going in the cold North north atlantic water at night in southern Maine. I do not travel at night anymore.
JJF

 

[SgtAlf]

I have, and used only once, a night vision monocular with a head mount. The time I used it was on a 4th of July, after the fireworks. I was in a small CC and wanted to stay near the right bank of the Toms River in NJ. I knew the channel would be full of drunk Aholes flying up the river. (it was) I also knew the right side was replete with mooring buoys, moored boats, and unlighted docks that stuck out. The night vision worked great! I don't boat much at night, but I do keep the NV onboard. The down side is the boat with the headlights, or spotlight, on whiting the NV out. On the night in question, all the boat traffic was going the same way as me, so white out didn't become a problem.

 

[HookedUp]

I have, and used only once, a night vision monocular with a head mount. The time I used it was on a 4th of July, after the fireworks. I was in a small CC and wanted to stay near the right bank of the Toms River in NJ. I knew the channel would be full of drunk Aholes flying up the river. (it was) I also knew the right side was replete with mooring buoys, moored boats, and unlighted docks that stuck out. The night vision worked great! I don't boat much at night, but I do keep the NV onboard. The down side is the boat with the headlights, or spotlight, on whiting the NV out. On the night in question, all the boat traffic was going the same way as me, so white out didn't become a problem.

I like your method. I got a SiOnyx aurora sport night vision camera and mount it forward while viewing on my phone. I use my radar and the phone view to handle really dark nights or night travel in unfamiliar waters. I can dim both down so I don't lose night vision. That camera will do color display if there are many stars or much moon out, greys on extremely dark nights, but even then I've been able to see crab pot buoys before I run over them.

 

[max from alaska]

My R27 has a broken Jabsco search light with spot and flood beams. Rather than fix it I’m considering a Rigid Q Series “driving hyperspot combo” LED light, for use as a headlight. I need to be able to see sticks, logs and buoys while cruising at night in time to avoid them, preferably not at a slow 8kn and rather at 14kn. I have a handheld for looking around an anchorage so I don’t need a fixed unit like what is on the boat. Anyone have experience good or bad switching to an LED like this?

 

[MarcoArias]

Have you ever installed the bow lights (headlights) that the Cutwater 24 have on a R-23? Could it be done? Looking for a good solution as I sometimes cross at night. Don't like overhead spotlights with the glare. Any other good solutions here? may put one on the bow railing but looking for a better solution.

Thanks,
Kurt

Hi Kurt!

The docking lights we use on the Cutwater 24 may not sit as flush on the Ranger Tug's hull as it does on the C24. Those lights are also intended for some extra lighting when docking in low light conditions. It can be done, but some wiring for power/ground, an inline fuse, and a switch is needed. If you are looking for extra light, I would recommend taking a look at Bob Giles' set up (Doghouse 2). If you are worried about glare, you could always add some non-reflective tape on the forward bow rails. As noted by some other users, please be careful with other boaters when using heavy lighting in proximity of other boat. Another option would be to install a night vision camera (such as FLIR) and wire it into your Garmin MFD. This, in combination with your radar, should give you good insight on what is around the vessel in case you are boating in low light conditions. Please feel free to reach out at marcoarias@rangertugs.com if you have any questions.