Anchor light on an enclosed bridge

[PJ]

Now that I have decided to enclose the bridge on my 1994 30 ft Carver aft cabin I am concerned about the visibility of the anchor light. I know the anchor light it has not been up to coast guard standards from the factory, it is not above the highest point on the boat although it was visible. But when I enclose the bridge will it even further restrict the visibility of the anchor light.

 

[RamSport47]

Carver has always built their boats to CG regulations! The light on your boat is visible through the eisenglass enclosure unless you or a previous owner modified the enclosure...from Carver it was totally clear all the way around. That being said...from reading your "enclosing the bridge" statement, it sounds like you are putting a hardtop and hard enclosure on, so all you have to do is simply get a light that you like and mount it atop of the hardtop.

 

[Carver370]

I would move the light anyways, if you have a bimini that you are putting up I have seen an anchor light somewhere that mounts on the stainless framework on the aft section of the rails. Then simply run a wire through the framework and attach a quick disconnect plug somewhere you can't see it nad you should be good to go!

 

[PJ]

Thanks I am just enclosing the Bimini. Duing the last inspection of the boat I had to retract the Bimini to safisfy the inspector, this was stupid I agree. I might try putting a light on top of the bimini, i like that idea.

 

[Silverton_34]

Sorry for invading your forum. I have an enclosed bridge with a bimini on my boat and what I did was buy one of those 360 degree white anchor lights that plug into a cigerette lighter and I hang it from the center bar of the bimini. It's a CG approved light and the isenglass is clear. If I don't need it I just put it away. The manufacturer anchor light was in front of the helm and in my line of vision so I had it chopped down abit. Still works as a running light but no good for an anchor light and I can see forward without having to look around the stupid light.

 

[stmbtwle]

I'd relocate the anchor light... I moved the anchor/stern light on my fishing boat to above the bimini; at night you can't even tell it's on, unless you look behind you. It's an off-the-shelf Attwood folding sternlight; Cost me maybe $30 including installation.

 

[awboater]

Or you can do this:

I had this radar arch custom built for my 1995 Carver 325. The new anchor light can be seen behind the radome.

 

[Unknown]

I don't care whether it was legal or not for the light to appear through the isinglass - I'd raise or relocate the light anyway. Isinglass can get cloudy or be blocked by some fat guy sitting on the bridge at night. So for my money I'd raise it...

In fact I've already done that on my smaller Glastron, because I put a big camper top on it. So I bought some aluminum tube and modified a Perko light fitting to be about 4 feet tall! Now I cruise at night confident that all can see my lights...

 

[propeller55]

I have to agree aout moving the factory installation. On my 3307 it's on the helm (slides up & down) and when I used it last 4th of July, my bridge was loaded with bugs attracted to the light. In addition, it's rather blinding if you sit on the bridge trying to observe things like the fireworks. I'm going to mount mine outside in front of the bridge...much like the early Trojans.

 

[PascalG]

i can't imagine having the anchor light behind the clear enclosure.. it will affect its visibility. that's a cheap shortcut. Just get a 6 or 8' antena extention (or even just piece of alum or SS tubbing) and raise it above the bimini like it should be.

 

[RamSport47]

"anchor light" not being used while running the boat...they have nav lights for that which don't shine onto the bridge

 

[awboater]

I should have also said I have a similar anchor light setup as PJ. The steaming light is blocked off at the rear (you can see it in the photo above) so it won't blind the boat operator, but the factory anchor light is on a pole, and pulls up about 2ft in front of the dash area as shown here:

I never liked it so I relocated it when we installed the arch. Now I need to find something to fill in the hole left over by the old anchor light.

Another antenna, maybe.

 

[PascalG]

" "anchor light" not being used while running the boat...they have nav lights for that which don't shine onto the bridge"

yeah, but as prop55 said, when you hang out on the bridge at night, do you want the light in your face ? i dont' think so.