Winston29
Active Member
I picked up some small, cheap, battery operated LED lights from Amazon and got them on the Capri today. They're not perfect, and they don't get very good reviews related to water resistance, but I think (hope) they'll work for my intended purpose. The idea is to have something to keep me at least close to compliance, should I get caught out after dark while trying to get back to the dock.
This scenario very nearly became reality a couple of months ago, when a friend and I, out for a late afternoon sail, found ourselves in a dead calm, 2 miles from the dock. We calculated the numbers and knew we were going to be sailing in darkness if some wind didn't come along, and pretty darn quick. Fortunately it did and we got back just as it was getting truly dark.
More recently, I wanted to get out on the water, but it was getting late (5
M-ish), and I knew by the time I got the boat rigged and out on the creek, I could very easily find myself in darkness. This was a real bummer, because if had lights on the boat, I would have launched late and had some fun, regardless of the time of day.
It should be noted that nobody sails the creek after dark. at least not that I've seen, and I've never seen the Coast Guard or police patrolling the waters where I sail either.
My want of lights is simply to stay as close as possible in compliance with maritime laws, and provide a little light on the boat to avoid possible, though highly unlikely, collisions.
One thing I'm having trouble figuring out though, is whether or not I'm "legal" with just a white stern light and a pair (red/green) of side lights.
I found this, which suggests that I am.
______________
Sailboats When Under Sail
The basic rule is that sidelights and a stern light are required. Permissible variations to this rule appear below.
This scenario very nearly became reality a couple of months ago, when a friend and I, out for a late afternoon sail, found ourselves in a dead calm, 2 miles from the dock. We calculated the numbers and knew we were going to be sailing in darkness if some wind didn't come along, and pretty darn quick. Fortunately it did and we got back just as it was getting truly dark.
More recently, I wanted to get out on the water, but it was getting late (5
M-ish), and I knew by the time I got the boat rigged and out on the creek, I could very easily find myself in darkness. This was a real bummer, because if had lights on the boat, I would have launched late and had some fun, regardless of the time of day. It should be noted that nobody sails the creek after dark. at least not that I've seen, and I've never seen the Coast Guard or police patrolling the waters where I sail either.
My want of lights is simply to stay as close as possible in compliance with maritime laws, and provide a little light on the boat to avoid possible, though highly unlikely, collisions.
One thing I'm having trouble figuring out though, is whether or not I'm "legal" with just a white stern light and a pair (red/green) of side lights.
I found this, which suggests that I am.
______________
Sailboats When Under Sail
The basic rule is that sidelights and a stern light are required. Permissible variations to this rule appear below.
- Sailboats less than 20m (65.7') can substitute a tricolor light for separate sidelights and stern light—or a bi-color light and a stern light may be substituted.
- Sailboats less than 7m (23') shall, if practicable, exhibit lights as explained above. An acceptable substitute is to keep ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern (flashlight) that shows a white light that shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.
