We had a Davis until a couple of years ago. We were anchored about 2
or 3 miles away near mangroves all alone on a dark, clear night on the
Bay side of FL Keys. We became somewhat concerned when we could not
see the boat from what we were sure was less than a 1/2 mile out. In
fact, we had to do the old latitude trick and go near the shore below
where we knew the boat was and follow it up till we hit it. We
actually saw the hull the same time as the Davis light.

Needless to say, the old .4 amp Guard approved light (and I thought it
pulled 1 amp before getting an amp meter) went back up there upon
returning.

The Davis "MegaLite" comes with two bulbs. With the brighter bulb, in theory its is
visible from 2 miles, but it is not, as you found out, up to snuff with the dimmer bulb.
The CG regs don't allow for such an easy intensity change, so it cannot be certified.

I use a MegaLite, with the dim bulb, as a second anchor light in the cockpit. I hope it
provides some protection from close in boats, while the masthead light satisfies the legal
requirement. I leave it on in mooring areas where its not required, so I can locate my
boat when I'm ashore.

Next time I pull the mast I'll install a masthead LED anchor light.

-jeff




"john cop" wrote in message
om...
We had a Davis until a couple of years ago. We were anchored about 2
or 3 miles away near mangroves all alone on a dark, clear night on the
Bay side of FL Keys. We became somewhat concerned when we could not
see the boat from what we were sure was less than a 1/2 mile out. In
fact, we had to do the old latitude trick and go near the shore below
where we knew the boat was and follow it up till we hit it. We
actually saw the hull the same time as the Davis light.

Needless to say, the old .4 amp Guard approved light (and I thought it
pulled 1 amp before getting an amp meter) went back up there upon
returning.