Solar anchor light

[WillieC]

Here is what we use. Works great, I may swap out to the brighter LED. Plug it into "vacuum cleaner" outlet in our A5 dash. Plenty of cord to mount it above our mast light. Check it out.

http://theboatgalley.com/bright-led-bul ... ega-light/

[jleonard]

I just use a regular home depot lantern style solar light, hanging off my mast. You can see what I use currently in the picture below.
Legal? I don't know but it stays on all night and is bright enough in my opinion.
I also use another one for lighting up the flybridge when were up there after dark. Also can use it inside the boat for a nightlight.

[Chester B]

I don't think the solar garden lights are legal as an anchor light but they certainly help light up your boat. We had one on the bow and stern to augment the anchor light (we had an LED bulb which drew very little amperage) and those extra lights made it a lot easier to spot the boat from the dinghy at night.

[Jeremyvmd]

I would get a small solar pack (they are fairly cheap) and rewire your anchor light to a on - off - on switch. Run the wire to the light from the center post, and then run boat power to one side and the solar pack to the other. that way you can run it off either. If you put the pack on a quick disconnect then it can be easily unplugged or replaced. And I would replace the bulb with a LED as well - as bright as possible

[rcwhite]

I installed approved LED bulbs in existing light. I have seen boats with a light strung up at anchorages but it seems somewhat unusual when approaching.

[Nepidae]

There are approved masthead anchor lights which should have been attached to your boat originally.

For one that is attached, LED bulbs are the way to go as they have less amp draw than the regular incandescent bulbs. In this configuration, there should be a switch on your power panel under the 12V options to turn it on & off (on at dusk off at sunrise)

If you don't have a masthead light, then you should have one installed.

The problem with the other alternatives mentioned is that a photovoltaic light, and needing the required USCG luminesces, the solar approach may not reach that level or if it does, may not last thru the night.

The whole idea of an anchor light is so that other boats are able to see you at anchor and it is the proscribed way of providing that notice. If anyone has ever motored at night there is nothing more disconcerting than see a dredge lit up like 'times square' as you motor toward it. They are lit under a proscribed method and boats with Home Depot lights of any type in areas which aren't proscribed are in fact a hazard to navigation.

IF and it is a big IF, you are not lit properly AND you were to cause an accident, due to that lighting, I would think there would be little you could do to obviate the inherent liability that would ensue.

There is a reason the USCG does what it does and establishes the rules that they do.

[mike66]

Agree with above. We just developed the habit of checking the anchor and flipping on the anchor light while bringing in the flag at sunset. But for automation, an approved light and bulb with a light sensing switch would do the trick.