anchor light question.....

[gran398]

Spec,

Last thing you want is having that 360 hamper your vision at the helm. As the boys said...get it away from your eyes.

Tough enough running at night...and doing a good prudent job.

If you want/need to mount it from the console...you could shield the light from below the base.

[Capt Matt]

I see anchor lights mounted on outboards around here all the time, they have no pole though and are just an all around white light.  The less light on your console when running at night the better, even with my chartplotte and gauges turned to the lowest light level they still mess with my vision at night a little.

Just never look up from the chartplotter/gps and drop the hammer!
Capt Matt

[seabob4]

First time I saw an anchor light mounted on top of a dash I thought, "WTF?"...

[gran398]

I see anchor lights mounted on outboards around here all the time, they have no pole though and are just an all around white light.  The less light on your console when running at night the better, even with my chartplotte and gauges turned to the lowest light level they still mess with my vision at night a little.

Just never look up from the chartplotter/gps and drop the hammer!
Capt Matt

Don't know about down your way...but late at night around here...there is always a commercial spot/mullet boat tending nets...in the channel.

[seabob4]

I see anchor lights mounted on outboards around here all the time, they have no pole though and are just an all around white light.  The less light on your console when running at night the better, even with my chartplotte and gauges turned to the lowest light level they still mess with my vision at night a little.

Just never look up from the chartplotter/gps and drop the hammer!
Capt Matt

Don't know about down your way...but late at night around here...there is always a commercial spot/mullet boat tending nets...in the channel.

We have them down here as well, Scott.  But usually there will be some light on board, regardless of whether it meets regs or not.  See one, slow down and assess...

[gran398]

Sure hope they show a good light down your way.

Up here...they shine a spotlight just once before you get ready to trash their mess. And their mess can be in the channel...out of the channel...and all points in between.

Ain't pretty once it starts off. Been dealing with gillnetters closing up a channel up here since I was fifteen years old.

Don't bring a handgun to a shotgun fight.

[seabob4]

And always keep in mind, even on a totally full moon lit night, your visability is SIGNIFICANTLY reduced!  Hauling a$$ at night in a channel known for crabbing , netting, or locals out for some shrimp is not the best locale to be "puttin' the hammer down"...

Just my $.02...

Besides, Chartplotters/GPSs do not show obstructions or vessels...

[Capt Matt]

I do lots of running at night and before sun up. Chartplotters are a aid and not a substitute for being able to see. Now in the fog its a little different, slow and don't leave the gps track.
Manatee markers without lights on them are the biggest navigation hazard here at night. I put marks on my gps for each floating manatee marker. Even knowing where they are they do not have reflectors on them and are hard to spot even with a q-beam.
Capt Matt

[seabob4]

Hmmm, manatees...we call them speed bumps...

Oh, oh, here comes PETA!!!  

[Spectre5922]

I have decided to take your advice guys (well, SOME of Julie advice since I've gotten a few different opinions).
I am going to get the black one that I saw that plugs in and extends from 32"-60" and mount it in the same location it was in when I got it (aft starboard side). It is not an led, but I can always change the bulb to an led later.
I really need to get on the ball with this thing. I have a long way to go and it will be warm, prime fishing time here real soon. Don't get me wrong... Houston never really gets COLD, but the fishing dies down from around November until March or April. Besides, we are renting a beach house on Bolivar Island in June, and you KNOW the boat's going with us!

[seabob4]

Spctre,
I've got a 3-pin chrome w/black cover Perko base in almost excellent condition if you need one and just want to buy the pole...

[Spectre5922]

I appreciate the offer Seabob, but I just left Academy. I bought the one that extends to 48". I'm going to mount it in the original location. According to my wife, it was the best one for the boat because it's black, "so it will match my cleats".  lol