Short Perko Anchor Light

W

Westy

New member
Hi,

I have a dingy that I want to store on top of the cabin. It fits nice, but the long Perko Anchor light sure seems like it could get bonked over. I have seen stubby lights on C-dorys "in the wild" but am failing to Google find them. Are these just cut down masts? It is a 2-wire set up.

Also, any tips/tricks to search within the C-brat forums? Seems like the embedded Google search takes you elsewhere as well, and elsewhere isn't that great.

Thanks,

Westy
C-dory 22-cruiser
 
That light is also the masthead light when running and the rules specify a required minimum height above the sidelights:

33 CFR 84.03

(d) The masthead light, or the all-round light described in Rule 23(c), of a power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length shall be carried at least one meter higher than the sidelights.

Using a short light could result in a violation. I'm not saying anything about the proposal or the rule, just quoting it for general knowledge.
 
There are many different types of anchor lights. You can go ahead and put a fold down one if it suits your purpose better. All it has to be is about 39" above the red and green--and with the height of the cabin that is not a lot.

Most of the factory lights are removable. You can either find a short version, or cut the one you have down. Most of us run LED anchor lights because of the decreased current draw--and often they are brighter.

The 360* "anchor light" also serves as a forward steaming light and a stern light on a vessel less than ~40 feet'. If you have a Bimini, or the dinghy up there, it must be visible behind both the Bimini and the dinghy.

Mine happens to be on top of the radar arch, and I replaced it recently with a fold down one for trailering. There are also some which are very rugged.

My early 1990's 22 had a stern light (135*) on the aft cabin upper bulkhead, and a forward steaming light (225* forward). There was a second bulb in the anchor light to give the the 135* required aft to give the total of 360*. Those anchor lights are 3 wire.
 
Most of the factory lights are removable.
Click to expand...
Indeed......and not only is that handy for your purpose of having it out of the way, but removeable has other uses. Here in the PNW, I found that if I leave my anchor light mounted, it corrodes in time. Since the anchor light is used so infrequently, I find it best to disconnect it, screw on a cap to the resulting socket, and store the light pole and light itself down below out of the weather and spray.
 
My dink on top of the cabin did not have a rounded stern. The two tubes extended past the wooden bracket for the outboard. The tubes also passed either side of the masthead/anchor light. This allowed me to put the dink on the roof with the stern facing the stern of the mother boat. I also had a spotlight on the front of the cabin roof. It still worked for the dink.
I guess the questions are: How big/heavy is your dink? How you getting it up there?

Honestly guys. Dink means inflatable..........lol

Martin.
 
smckean (Tosca)":14e3gjre said:
Most of the factory lights are removable.
Click to expand...
Indeed......and not only is that handy for your purpose of having it out of the way, but removeable has other uses. Here in the PNW, I found that if I leave my anchor light mounted, it corrodes in time. Since the anchor light is used so infrequently, I find it best to disconnect it, screw on a cap to the resulting socket, and store the light pole and light itself down below out of the weather and spray.
Click to expand...

That is my practice too. The height requirement is 1 meter above the side nav markers, but it is not limitied to that 1 meter. My factory (incandescent and stainless) light fixture was heavy and not tall enough to give reliable (all around) lighting with my dingy up on the cabin/rack aft, so I went to an LED that is aluminum, so lighter, less lever arm when installed so less wear on the socket, and taller. I only mount it up if conditions are looking marginal for visibility or will be anchoring. I uncap the socket, mount it in the correct orientation, and then tape that junction with "Rescue tape" to keep any water out of that socket. When I am don cleaning up the boat after use, I cut the tape, remove the stalk, recap the socket, and store the LED beck in the cabin until next time.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

Full size so you can see the running lights and all around lit up, above the dink.
9_Sept_Seq_2019_Cal.sized.jpg
 
For us, we like the fold down type. It's always where you need it, no socket to corrode either. We use ours on every outing since we fly a small flag on it. The light's pigtail wires run directly into the cabin so the splice to the boat's wiring is inside and protected, no corrosion ever.

James
 
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