Perko Bi-color Bow Light Mounting Scheme (Jay Greer??)

[bott]

I recently got a excellent quality bi-color perko nav light with both 12V and oil internals.

I am wondering what is the best way to mount it such that 1) both colors are visible (not blocked by the jib) and 2) the sea wont take it (much like I fear happening with it mounted on the pulpit).

Any suggestions.... I would like to use this an my primary (ie- only) nav light system.

I know that Mr. Greer has the same light on his Common Sense. Could you post a pic or description of the mounting scheme?

http://staff.washington.edu/bott/bowlight2.jpg

http://staff.washington.edu/bott/bowlight1.jpg

[donald branscom]

I recently got a excellent quality bi-color perko nav light with both 12V and oil internals.

I am wondering what is the best way to mount it such that 1) both colors are visible (not blocked by the jib) and 2) the sea wont take it (much like I fear happening with it mounted on the pulpit).

Any suggestions.... I would like to use this an my primary (ie- only) nav light system.

I know that Mr. Greer has the same light on his Common Sense. Could you post a pic or description of the mounting scheme?



I would only use that light at anchor at night. Or on the fireplace mantle if at all.

At night it is diffacult as you know, to see oncoming boats and when the green and red are so close together and on the bow bouncing up and down it would be very hard to distiguish from shore lights in the background.

the best is having the lights split up and up as high as possible.

[Jay Greer]

Actually the vertical track between the latches is designed to allow a baffle to be slid in to separate the two lights. Mine is made of brass and extends fwd. of the lenzes ten inches. One piece is bend to fit the track with another, smaller L shaped piece rivited on to form the other side of the flange. Light mounts on the bow pulpit fwd. of the head stay. It is well secured with a wooden mount that is removable for day sailing. The only anchor light that should show at night is a 32 point (360deg.) white light.
Jay

[donald branscom]

Actually the vertical track between the latches is designed to allow a baffle to be slid in to separate the two lights. Mine is made of brass and extends fwd. of the lenzes ten inches. One piece is bend to fit the track with another, smaller L shaped piece rivited on to form the other side of the flange. Light mounts on the bow pulpit fwd. of the head stay. It is well secured with a wooden mount that is removable for day sailing. The only anchor light that should show at night is a 32 point (360deg.) white light.
Jay

I did not know that.

The seperator partition would help.

[bott]

I want to resurrect this thread, because I have a new boat this time and I took the Perko bi-color with me! This time Its a gaff cutter, 32' (pics in sig link). I have been monkeying around with cheapo plastic nav lights, and would really like to use the nice piece of kit. How about some opinions on where to mount this bad boy?

There really doesn't seem to be an obvious mounting position in front of the forstay, the gammon iron is small. And the bowsprit is housing (a feature I want to keep functional) so no mounting there. At least, it seems exceedingly difficult. Plus there is a ton of other junk going on in this space: stays'l downhaul, jib outhaul, anchor rode, mooring bit/Sampson post, stays'l tack tackle...

My next thought would be to position it on the mast, just over the pin rail. Given the sheer sweep on the boat, this would only be a few feet higher than at the stemhead. And given my current suit of sails, both jib and stays'l clews should still ride higher than the proposed position. It also would be illuminating the foredeck in operation... something that may be a little bonus or really bad. It would also be further back such that nothing but a very large jib will shroud the light from the side (the stays'l ends just fwd of the mast and the sprit is 10'). It would also be near the center of the boat for minimum expresses sea motion and maximum protection from the sea. I can post more pics of the boat and deck setup as requested.

Maybe I am seeing everything as a nail because all I have is a hammer. Having a good set of seperate red n' greens would be much easier and ideal... but I've got this sweet light and I would really like to use it effectively. Also, it has the guts for electric operation which I plan to use, and oil only as an emergency backup.

Hmm? Lets hear it.

[bott]

Here are some pics to help with the general layout:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4785000300_9b159c2a2c.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4784946308_9ee719018c.jpg

The bottom of the lamp would be more or less flush with the cabin top in elevation if mounted on the mast...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2471/3696058013_bc19854a34.jpg

[BarnacleGrim]

Speaking as a merchant mariner you should have a sidelight on each side of the cabin, a sternlight, and two all-round lights in the masthead, the upper being green and the lower red. This maximises your chances of being seen, and it makes your aspect and type of vessel all the more obvious. That's why we have lights in the first place.

Edit: Or better yet, place the sidelights on the shroud belaying pin boards, where they will be even more visible.

[darroch]

I look forward to seeing more of s/v OCTOBER. Lovely carving. Was she built by an artist or just upgraded by an artist?

[Jay Greer]

Placing light screens above the shrouds your pin rails is the traditional place to mount navigation lights unless, they are obscured by a lapping head sail. Incidently Coast Guard regs. state that the reflective surfaces of the boards are to be painted black although, no one ever does that. Unless you intend to build a bow pulpit, I don't really see a practical method of mounting that oil burning combination nav. light. Then again, you might mount a red and a green LED in the eyes of those neat carvings!
Jay