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Misty Blue · 07-14-2008, 09:28 AM

Nauset:

Night sailing sounds like fun to me! We did it for years. I think that the clip/cup on lights are fine. They meet the requirements of the NHMP. But do keep in mind that the lights for a sailboat under sail are diffrent than for a powerboat.

A powerboat must show a 360 degree white light visible for 2 miles while underway between sunset and sunrise.

To identify a vessel as a sailing vessel (not under power) the lights are different.

A sailing vessel does not show a masthead light (360 deg). Instead a vessel under sail shows port and starboard running lights and a 135 deg. stern light. That way when a power vesel sees just the red and green lights with no white light he knows that he is coming on to a sailing vessel and hs is the give way vessel.

So when you mount your white light, I'm not sure how I would do it on a sunfish avoiding the tiller, make sure that you cover the front 225 deg. of the light with tape or something so that it only shows 135 deg. aft.

Check it out in the NH boating guide, get underway and have some fun!

Misty Blue.

07-14-2008, 09:28 AM	#17
Misty Blue Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 658 Thanks: 121 Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts	Vessel under sail... Nauset: Night sailing sounds like fun to me! We did it for years. I think that the clip/cup on lights are fine. They meet the requirements of the NHMP. But do keep in mind that the lights for a sailboat under sail are diffrent than for a powerboat. A powerboat must show a 360 degree white light visible for 2 miles while underway between sunset and sunrise. To identify a vessel as a sailing vessel (not under power) the lights are different. A sailing vessel does not show a masthead light (360 deg). Instead a vessel under sail shows port and starboard running lights and a 135 deg. stern light. That way when a power vesel sees just the red and green lights with no white light he knows that he is coming on to a sailing vessel and hs is the give way vessel. So when you mount your white light, I'm not sure how I would do it on a sunfish avoiding the tiller, make sure that you cover the front 225 deg. of the light with tape or something so that it only shows 135 deg. aft. Check it out in the NH boating guide, get underway and have some fun! Misty Blue.