Ladder? Hang from the rafters of the dock? Cherry picker? Get bitten by a radioactive spider and swing up there on your web?

Can you have the dock roof modified with a higher area where the will light pass? Even just a "notch" in the roofline? I wouldn't mount the light to the antenna. Not good for the antenna, no way to run wires, would look like crap.

Probably not much help - but wanted to say hello to a fellow Travis boater.

 

I imagine they make anchor light stems that pivot so you can fold it over. I doubt if you will find one that is motorized though...

 

Google for retractable anchor light. There are some post out there for such a product. Mostly for go fast boats.

 

What a crappy problem to have. What will you do when the water rises and your open array hits the roof?

I suggest you paint a go/no-go line on a piling visible from outside of the slip so that you can tell if your boat will fit.

 

What a crappy problem to have. What will you do when the water rises and your open array hits the roof?

I suggest you paint a go/no-go line on a piling visible from outside of the slip so that you can tell if your boat will fit.

Our docks float on this lake, as it varies in depth as much as 50 feet or more depending on how wet or dry it is. So the clearance will always be the same (sans any wave action).

 

buy a smaller boat

 

Ok,

Getting to the top might not be too difficult if the bimini unzips from the hardtop edge. If it is one of the semi-permanent tops it might be a hassle.

I assume the light pole is mounted to the base of the radar array and is just a big "L". How does it attach to the base? Is there a set screw that could be replaced with a thumb screw?

There are fold down mast lights, but placement with an open array is going to call for a creative solution. There has just been a discussion on the placement of the white light and the appropriate requirments.

The solution might be to add a white light (meeting the 2NM visibility requirement) on the transom where it is in clear view for 135 degrees. If there is room in front of the array you could place a forward facing (also 2 nm ) covering a 225 degree arc. I don't believe the mast light has to be the highest point on the boat if you have a total of 360 degrees of visible white light between the transom and forward mast light. If you could get the 225 degree arc in the front, that light could even be below the sweep of the array.

Here is the link to the thread:

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34198

Look at post # 9. Illustration 1B is what I am suggesting.

Henry

 

Ok,

Getting to the top might not be too difficult if the bimini unzips from the hardtop edge. If it is one of the semi-permanent tops it might be a hassle.

I assume the light pole is mounted to the base of the radar array and is just a big "L". How does it attach to the base? Is there a set screw that could be replaced with a thumb screw?

There are fold down mast lights, but placement with an open array is going to call for a creative solution. There has just been a discussion on the placement of the white light and the appropriate requirments.

The solution might be to add a white light (meeting the 2NM visibility requirement) on the transom where it is in clear view for 135 degrees. If there is room in front of the array you could place a forward facing (also 2 nm ) covering a 225 degree arc. I don't believe the mast light has to be the highest point on the boat if you have a total of 360 degrees of visible white light between the transom and forward mast light. If you could get the 225 degree arc in the front, that light could even be below the sweep of the array.

Here is the link to the thread:

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34198

Look at post # 9. Illustration 1B is what I am suggesting.

Henry

I'm pretty sure you need 360 degrees above the highest point for anchor. You would be alright with your 270 front plus stern for running.

 

I had my sea ray dealer change out the taller light for a shorter one. As tall as the boat is you should not have any problems with the two mile light requirement. As far as getting up on top good luck, try going threw the canvas on the back.
Craig

 

Jeff,

I just checked on Boatsafe and the anchor light has to show "360 degrees anywhere it can be seen". It also states that boats less than 20 meters in length do not need to show an anchor light. Sea Ray shows the 2007 36db at 11.43 M LOA.

I tried to wade through CFR 33 part 84 on lights, and the best I could come up with is that on boats less than 12 meters the white all around light has to be 2.5 meters above the gunwale and 1.0 meter above the colored navigation lights.

So it would appear that most of us are not required to show an all around anchor light. Personally, I wouldn't anchor overnight without using one, but it becomes personal choice not a requirement. But since it is not a requirement, there would seem to be an element of freedom in where the light could be placed.

Henry

 

Jeff,

I just checked on Boatsafe and the anchor light has to show "360 degrees anywhere it can be seen". It also states that boats less than 20 meters in length do not need to show an anchor light. Sea Ray shows the 2007 36db at 11.43 M LOA.

I tried to wade through CFR 33 part 84 on lights, and the best I could come up with is that on boats less than 12 meters the white all around light has to be 2.5 meters above the gunwale and 1.0 meter above the colored navigation lights.

So it would appear that most of us are not required to show an all around anchor light. Personally, I wouldn't anchor overnight without using one, but it becomes personal choice not a requirement. But since it is not a requirement, there would seem to be an element of freedom in where the light could be placed.

Henry

I couldn't find this, do you have a direct link?

 

Hey Jeff - thanks for the note/thoughts! I'll figure something out...

Mike

 

Thanks everyone for all the excellent responses.

Here are some pictures of the challenge at hand:

Pic 1: I've just lowered the mast (after breaking the light from the mast) so I could get into the new slip.

Pic 2: The broken light

Pic 3: Where the mast is attached behind the open array. Also, you can see where I've strung a string from the dock supports to get a clear sense of available height. The string doesn't show as well in this pic but it's about 6 inched above the array - just about an inch or two taller than the bottom of the eaves on the lowest point of the roof. Of course I'll have to have enough cleanance to tolerate possible waves/wakes when I'm backing in

Pic 4:You can clearly see how the all around light WAS originally rigged - too high for me now - but maybe high enough to allow me to shorten it enough and still be the highest point.

Pic 5: Again, another view of the rigging on top of the hardtop as I was backing into my prior/taller slip.

So, once again everyone - thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions.

When I finally solve this I'll post and update...

Mike

 

Mike,

If the existing light tube can be shortened enough, i.e. the vertical section is long enough to be shortened to the clearance you need and leave enough for the light to mount, you can re-use the existing tube.

The light head just screws into the tube (although it may be pop rivited). Drill out / remove the rivit/screw and extract the broken piece of tube. NOTE: There is a front and back to that light head - See comments on 135 degree arc towards aft 225 degree arc towards bow. Use an electrician's conduit cutter to shorten the tube. Then use a set of sheet metal snips to split the short piece (and the broken piece) and remove them from the wire. Now drill a hole for the set screw to hold the light head. Now you can stuff the wire back down the tube and attach the light head without having to cut and splice the wires.

Henry

 

Here is a motorized retractable light that might work. http://www.innovativelight.com/powerlight-motorized-led-stern-light_p_1473_11558_1.cfm The biggest problem would be whether you could find a satisfactory way to deal with the mast in your bridge area when it is lowered.

Dave

 

Thanks Dave - what a great product, but you are right - no place to hide the antenna when it's down.

Thanks still the same.

Mike

 

I have this style:

If you can find a mast that extends within reach with the canvas up.

 

Thanks Henry - that's just about what I'm thinking - great minds!!!

 

I think the simple and clean option would to be to remove that whole pole and light. Put in a Perko base socket that accepts a removable pole/mast light. This is what I have on my jet boat. I don't leave it up as I don't use the boat at night... so you could just leave the mast light in a storage locker and stick it on the top in the socket when you use the boat at night... Otherwise, leave it off.... If you use the boat during the day most of the time, you'll never miss it being up there.

Go here:

http://gator49.hostgator.com/~zeromyst/ecatalog/index.php?cPath=213_51_103

This one is removable and has a socket base and looks to be like the light you have on the boat now:

http://gator49.hostgator.com/~zerom...or.com/~zeromyst/ecatalog/product_info.php?cPath=213_51_103_104&products_id=122


My 2 cents.

 

Why not get another longer pole and mount it on the other side of the bridge on the arch like another antenna. Put the mount just like the antenna and raise and lower it just like you do the port side antenna.

 

I had to get on the hardtop the my 36. I opened the skylight slightly to act as a hold and stood on the dash and then hoisted myself up on the top. Not much room up on top and not much fun to be on top when the wakes go by and rock the boat. I tried the canvas access and it was too much to do. I have a covered slip. Easier to keep clean.:smt014

 

I had to get on the hardtop the my 36. I opened the skylight slightly to act as a hold and stood on the dash and then hoisted myself up on the top. Not much room up on top and not much fun to be on top when the wakes go by and rock the boat. I tried the canvas access and it was too much to do. I have a covered slip. Easier to keep clean.:smt014

That's how I get up on the arch. Open the arch cover fully, then step on dash and pull yourself up thur the vent opening. Spent some time up there when I installed the radar and mount, also spend time up there waxing :smt009

 

I still think easier just to buy a new boat

 

what about to move light pole to front of the radar and fold it down before docking. moving it forward of radar dome will allow for easy access through hatch in hard top.