Mantagua steaming light

I thought I'd keep this thread updated for benefit of others.

I went ahead an bought the light and am now looking to find a time when I can unstep the mast to fit. (I think it would be little hassle to fit it using the bosun's chair but I need to inspect the mast anyway.)



The light is fitted with two screws so you will have to tap the holes.

I also checked what it would look like so I connected it to 12V.



Johan

The light comes in two versions and the one I bought is for boats less than 12 metres, i.e. visible 2M. The other version is instead visible 3M and has two rows of LEDs and is suitable for boats more than 12 metres in length.

I will put it on a pole (my mast!) and walk away 2M and let you know if it lives up the the specification. That's what this thread is for.

Johan

Edited by Johan Hackman - 08 December 2024 at 18:26

The subject in itself is interesting.

For a start, the furled headsail will block any visibility when you are looking from straight ahead. In this case it will not matter how bright the light is. My boat is moored with the bow facing a park in Stockholm so for me it is very easy to put myself in different positions at various distances from my boat to check this and I have done it a few times.

To me it the more important thing is to have light that will actually stand the abuse of the self-tacking jib day in and day out so that I can turn it on the rare occassion when I am motoring when it is dark. I feel less comfortable motoring with just the red and green lights turned on instead of also having a white light at 225 degrees, be it blocked by the furled headsail or not bright enough.

Johan

Edited by samuel - 09 December 2024 at 09:25

samuel wrote: Pity there is no facility for a deck light. I do find my one handy when berthing in my home berth which is quite a dark berth. I suppose one could be fitted under a spreader, if it was important.

My boat came originally with a Hella steaming light. After having lost the glass a few times I fitted the light in the picture below. I also lost that light once and get a new one that I protected with a aluminum cage with a piece of line to make it smooth. That's the one I lost last summer, together with the cage and all.

However, this light also had a deck light that I was very pleased with.

Johan