DARat wrote:
Just a few notes on terminology he
A masthead is the forward portion of the mast, not the mast-top which is
the top.
Therefore, it is impossible to have a 360 masthead light in a single
light...
The term steaming light has been substituted many times to try to
eliminate the confusion
associated with the "mast-head" light.


Although I see what you're getting at here, I'm going to disagree a bit.
"Masthead" refers to the arc of visibility more than it's location (on
the mast-top or forward portion of the mast) since it can be located on
top of a mast, pole ....
You are correct, in that an "all-around" light should not be called a
"masthead", but it's because of it's 360 deg arc of visibility.
It's also possible to refer to that portion of the arc of a 360 deg
light which encompasses 225 deg (rt ahead to 2 pts abaft, either side)
as the "masthead" portion of that light.
The "steaming" light refers to the masthead light, but in some boats it
can also refer to the 360 deg light.
My point here, is that there are a number of ways to address these
terms, and it's more important that two people in a discussion
understand the possibilities and settle on which terms are being used.

otn

The term steaming light has been substituted many times to try to
eliminate the confusion
associated with the "mast-head" light.


Although I see what you're getting at here, I'm going to disagree a bit.
"Masthead" refers to the arc of visibility more than it's location (on
the mast-top or forward portion of the mast) since it can be located on
top of a mast, pole ....
You are correct, in that an "all-around" light should not be called a
"masthead", but it's because of it's 360 deg arc of visibility.
It's also possible to refer to that portion of the arc of a 360 deg
light which encompasses 225 deg (rt ahead to 2 pts abaft, either side)
as the "masthead" portion of that light.
The "steaming" light refers to the masthead light, but in some boats it
can also refer to the 360 deg light.

I believe that in Canada for a boat under 12m(?) that the steaming light and
stern light must separate lights but for boats under 12 m there can be a
single 360 degree light. This has resulted in many power boats being built
with a 360 degree anchor light at the top of the metal mast and a steaming
light on the front side of the mast and a stern light on the rear side just
below it. I do not believe that the lower two would appear any different the
single anchor light from a distance but one is legal and one is not.

RW

On Thu, 21 Oct 2004 16:17:18 -0400, "Rob" wrote:



I believe that in Canada for a boat under 12m(?) that the steaming light and
stern light must separate lights but for boats under 12 m there can be a
single 360 degree light. This has resulted in many power boats being built
with a 360 degree anchor light at the top of the metal mast and a steaming
light on the front side of the mast and a stern light on the rear side just
below it. I do not believe that the lower two would appear any different the
single anchor light from a distance but one is legal and one is not.

For what it's worth: My boat's about 10 meters in length, and I use
the stern light and the port/starboard bow lights when underway at
night under sail AND the mast-top tricolour. I believe I could use
either, legally.

When I motor at night, I use the steaming light at the mast front just
beneath the spreaders, about four metres (13 feet or so) off the deck.
I customarily turn OFF the masthead light to reinforce my "powered"
status and just use the hull lights.

I have a separate, quite bright white 360 degree anchor light atop my
mast top tricolour, which I use when anchored at night, naturally. In
a pinch, I suppose it could be an "emergency steaming light", although
I would probably issue a "securite" call on 16 if I was motoring
through traffic with a busted steaming light.

Finally, I carry hurricane lamps that could be used as nav lights.
They are cheap Chinese jobs I use to illuminate the cockpit on social
evenings, but I carry spotlight "cels" in the appropriate colours to
make 'em into legal (excepting the range, maybe) nav lights. If they
fell in the lake, I wouldn't cry.

As the above shows, I believe in at least partial redudancy G.

comments interspersed

rhys wrote:

For what it's worth: My boat's about 10 meters in length, and I use
the stern light and the port/starboard bow lights when underway at
night under sail AND the mast-top tricolour. I believe I could use
either, legally.

Either/Or, but NOT together ( by "port/starboard bow lights", I'm
assuming you mean pt/stbd side lights.)

When I motor at night, I use the steaming light at the mast front just
beneath the spreaders, about four metres (13 feet or so) off the deck.
I customarily turn OFF the masthead light to reinforce my "powered"
status and just use the hull lights.

What you are calling the "steaming" light is also called the "masthead"
light under the rules, so I'm assuming you turn off the tri-color, when
under power, which is correct

I have a separate, quite bright white 360 degree anchor light atop my
mast top tricolour, which I use when anchored at night, naturally. In
a pinch, I suppose it could be an "emergency steaming light", although
I would probably issue a "securite" call on 16 if I was motoring
through traffic with a busted steaming light.

Considering your size, it would be an excellent "optional" masthead
light (turn off stern light) and no "securite" needed.


otn

On Sun, 24 Oct 2004 00:37:17 GMT, otnmbrd
wrote:

comments interspersed

rhys wrote:

For what it's worth: My boat's about 10 meters in length, and I use
the stern light and the port/starboard bow lights when underway at
night under sail AND the mast-top tricolour. I believe I could use
either, legally.

Either/Or, but NOT together ( by "port/starboard bow lights", I'm
assuming you mean pt/stbd side lights.)

Roger that. And yes, I understand when under sail, either but not
both. Probably was unclear, as I hauled today and am still depressed
G

When I motor at night, I use the steaming light at the mast front just
beneath the spreaders, about four metres (13 feet or so) off the deck.
I customarily turn OFF the masthead light to reinforce my "powered"
status and just use the hull lights.

What you are calling the "steaming" light is also called the "masthead"
light under the rules, so I'm assuming you turn off the tri-color, when
under power, which is correct

Yes. That's why I said "mast top" because so many people use "mast
head" to mean the pointy end, when it's really "the front of the mast,
partway up" G.

I have a separate, quite bright white 360 degree anchor light atop my
mast top tricolour, which I use when anchored at night, naturally. In
a pinch, I suppose it could be an "emergency steaming light", although
I would probably issue a "securite" call on 16 if I was motoring
through traffic with a busted steaming light.

Considering your size, it would be an excellent "optional" masthead
light (turn off stern light) and no "securite" needed.

I'd have to wire things differently as the pt/stbd and stern running
lights are all on the same switch, but I agree. As a "stern" light,
the anchor light is amazingly bright, as I ran 12 gauge up the mast
for maximum effect. Quite startling an improvement, really.

R.

Only one real comment.
"Masthead" refers more to the arc of visibility of the light, than it
does to it's location.
A "masthead" has an arc which is 225 deg, and may be located on the
front of the mast, part way up, or the top, depending on your set-up.

rhys wrote:
On Sun, 24 Oct 2004 00:37:17 GMT, otnmbrd
wrote:


comments interspersed

rhys wrote:


For what it's worth: My boat's about 10 meters in length, and I use
the stern light and the port/starboard bow lights when underway at
night under sail AND the mast-top tricolour. I believe I could use
either, legally.

Either/Or, but NOT together ( by "port/starboard bow lights", I'm
assuming you mean pt/stbd side lights.)


Roger that. And yes, I understand when under sail, either but not
both. Probably was unclear, as I hauled today and am still depressed
G

When I motor at night, I use the steaming light at the mast front just
beneath the spreaders, about four metres (13 feet or so) off the deck.
I customarily turn OFF the masthead light to reinforce my "powered"
status and just use the hull lights.

What you are calling the "steaming" light is also called the "masthead"
light under the rules, so I'm assuming you turn off the tri-color, when
under power, which is correct


Yes. That's why I said "mast top" because so many people use "mast
head" to mean the pointy end, when it's really "the front of the mast,
partway up" G.

I have a separate, quite bright white 360 degree anchor light atop my
mast top tricolour, which I use when anchored at night, naturally. In
a pinch, I suppose it could be an "emergency steaming light", although
I would probably issue a "securite" call on 16 if I was motoring
through traffic with a busted steaming light.

Considering your size, it would be an excellent "optional" masthead
light (turn off stern light) and no "securite" needed.


I'd have to wire things differently as the pt/stbd and stern running
lights are all on the same switch, but I agree. As a "stern" light,
the anchor light is amazingly bright, as I ran 12 gauge up the mast
for maximum effect. Quite startling an improvement, really.

R.

On Sun, 24 Oct 2004 01:57:23 GMT, otnmbrd
wrote:

Only one real comment.
"Masthead" refers more to the arc of visibility of the light, than it
does to it's location.
A "masthead" has an arc which is 225 deg, and may be located on the
front of the mast, part way up, or the top, depending on your set-up.

OK, that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.

R.