[Rhodes22-list] Masthead Light

[Saroj]

I have a light at the top of my mast, one on the front of the mast near the
spreaders; a dual red/green light on the pulpit of the bow and I think just
a single white light on the stern pulpit or ??? (can't check my boat right
now).  There is a running lights switch which turns on the bow, stern lights
and the one near the spreaders;  a second switch which turns on only the
light at the very top of the mast -- two switches for the external lights;
there are also a cabin lights switch, a bilge pump switch and an instruments
switch and possibly a separate one for the stereo (but that could be
combined into the instruments switch).  I've heard that the VHF should be
direct-wired into the system for safety - no switch (which mine is).  I also
have a main panel switch, but it is wired wrong or not wired at all and in
any case doesn't do anything.  I can't recall if my DC plugs have a switch,
but seems they could be direct wired as well with fuses to protect items
plugged into them.  I don't have a shore-power system.

Don't know how many switches you have but seems like you should be o.k. with
a 4-switch panel in a pinch if you eliminate the bilge pump switch -- mine
is 8 and I've got switch locations to spare.

Hope this helps.
Saroj

----- Original Message -----
From: "rhendy" <rhendy@earthlink.net>
To: "Rhodes List" <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 09, 2003 4:51 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Masthead Light


Rhodies,
   Okay, I am in the middle of my winter rebuild and I am, for the most
part, creating an electrical system for my 1976 R22 from scratch.  The issue
today is proper lighting.
   My R22 has sidelights, a dead on arrival sternlight built into the
fiberglass of the stern on the starboard side, and another sternlight on the
stern rail which looks to be in pretty good shape.  This will get me lit
properly if I am SAILING at night....but....
   I plan to "go camping" on the boat this summer, therefore I have designed
an anchor light into my plan which will mount at the top of the mast....no
problem.  The problem is this:  If I plan to MOTOR anywhere after dark, the
U.S. Inland Navigation Rules call for a Masthead light.  The anchor light is
specifically noted as being illegal in that situation.  So now, as I see it,
I need still another light on the mast, more wires, and (more importantly)
another switch in the panel.  Whoops, my panel is full up.
   Poll to the membership:  What lights do you have?  How do you use them?
Where's the loophole in the law?

Fair Winds,

Bob Hendrickson
S/V Getaway
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