strobe light on sailboat

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When use mast strobe light?

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Realized that I do not understand the proper use of a strobe as part of a masthead light. I thought the strobe was an ''emergency only'' device, used much like flares only to indicate distress. But now I''ve seen two references to single-handers leaving the strobe on at night to supplement their radar deflectors as warning or "see me" devices for passing ships. So what is the proper use and intention of a masthead stobe light? Thanks!  

Isn''t the exception that one may use a strobe or any other means to attract attention in an emergency?  

Not a challenge Gordon, but how come folks like Aqua Signal offer it as a standard option/upgrade for their series 40 tri-color nav lights? They even charge an extra like $150 for it added to their generic tri-color/anchor light setup.  

Manufacturers sell Strobe Lights because we will buy them. They are expensive because they cost a lot to make. We buy them because we think (rightfully) that we may want the brightest, most obvious signal possible, in extreme situations - rules be dammed. See the COLREGS (Rules 20, 21, & 36) http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/boating/colregs.html - Rule 36 Signals to Attract Attention If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel, any vessel may make light or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for any signal authorized elsewhere in these Rules, or may direct the beam of her searchlight in the direction of the danger, in such a way as not to embarrass any vessel. Any light to attract the attention of another vessel shall be such that it cannot be mistaken for any aid to navigation. For the purpose of this Rule the use of high intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be avoided. Regards, Gord  

Honestly. If I was going to cary a strobe for this kind of emergency signalling, I would carry a completely seperate unit, with independent battery power, that could be hoisted up the mast at will. That way, if I need it because my other powersources have died and I do not have other lights, or my masthead light has been blown off the mast (has been known to happen) or any number of other nasty things have come to pass....well, the strobe can still function, for what that''s worth. We have a $40 unit that I have attached two hose clamps and rings to. It takes less then 30 seconds to activate and hoist up the mast on its stick in the practice run we have done. It makes much more sense to me then paying an extra $150 in order to put more weight permanently at the top of your mast, with all the potential for blown bulbs and fried wires that this implies) Sasha  

ASHA said (about portable strobes):"... It takes less then 30 seconds to activate and hoist up the mast on its stick in the practice run we have done..." That would be 30 sec. after you locate it, and get it & yourself to the halyard. Not a bad "back-up" - but I prefer an instantaneous "See-Me" light. OMO Gord  

Sorry Sasha, I can''t get this site to accept my updates & edit.  

I guess I have less boat to lose stuff in. I can always find it the strobe (The peronal strobes and the emergency strobe are all in clamps near the companionway). For the instant "oh dear" emergency wheer you want to be seen...there is a lot to be said for the white "see me" flares in the locker next to the helm. Way brighter then a strobe and covered by the col regs with no ambiguity. If I could afford white parachute flares for the emergency kit (in addition to the reds) I probably would have two of those as well. Sasha  

Not to put too fine a point on it - but flares are unambiguously DISTRESS signals (not "hey there, watch out"). You could definately get into trouble misusing flares as a "see me" signal. OMO Gord  

You are incorrect. Read your colregs. Red flares (both parachute and heand held) are distress. Orange daylight smoke is distress. white is a signalling/alert device used by yachts, shipping (including pilot boats). Green flares are used by search and rescue craft (especially aircraft) to acknowledge that they have seen your distress signal and have relayed information to crews that are better placed to get to you. In daylight, an aircraft will usually waggle its wings instead. White flares are also occassionaly used as a locater device by search and rescue services during inland searches. A white flare will be fired to signal that a rescuer is watching and the people that are in distress respond by firing one of their red flares, knowing that someone is actually looking out for it. White flares are GOOD! Sasha  

I do not understand where we disagree. I stated that the use of a white flare in a "I need to be seen right NOW, but this is not (yet) and emergency" situation was a good and acceptable thing. You responded by saying that fares were for distress only and I would gt into trouble for setting one off when not in direct distress. I pointed out that white flares are not the same as red ones and that they were an acceptable GOOD THING for becoming instantly visible without signaling distress. and would not confuse the usage. I gave examples. You gave examples of the exact same thing... I am sorry, but I do not see where we disagree. By the way. My base on this comes from the Yachtmaster course (in which I hold my coastal skipper and competet offshore crew certificate as well as a few other earlier courses). I have no experience with courses taught by the US coast gaurd (nor an interest in them, seeing as how I am in Australia). I do not have my colregs near to hand, so cannot quote chapter and verse on usage of green nd white flares. It is even possible that it comes form the big-blue-book-of-fun (International yacht racing rules) which has a section on emergency procedures. Sasha  

Sasha: I think we disagree on the “Legal & Proper” usage of White & Green Flares, and Strobe Lights. We seem to agree more on their “effective” use. Speaking of White Flares, you indicated that they were “...covered by the col regs with no ambiguity ...” The COLREGS specify the use of Red Flares & Orange Smoke, but are silent on the subject of White Flares. I can find no internationally recognized standards on the use of White Flares. As I previously posted (but failed to attribute) Pains-Wessex states: “...there is no standard for white flares”. As I also posted previously, The COLREGS (Rule 36) specifically admonish against the use of Strobe Lights - “... the use of high intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be avoided.” It seems to me, that the use of either Strobes or White Flares is not “legal”, or (at least) not recognized by the treaties, & regulations. Under certain circumstance we may not really care as much about conventions & treaties, as we do about effectiveness. A Strobe Light will be VERY visible over a distance of several miles (limited by DIP to horizon), whereas a Flare might be visible over many MORE miles. If our intent is to alert a relatively nearby vessel to our presence, a Strobe may be effective. If we want to alert the larger world to our presence, a Flare may be more effective. We deploy either at our own hazard and liability for any unintended consequences. I’m using (wasting) up bandwidth arguing over semantics, in an effort to answer Jonathan’s original question regarding the “PROPER” use of a masthead Strobe (there is none). Thanks for taking the time to intelligently engage the debate. Gord  

The only thing I could find in what Gordon quoted which might permit/justify a strobe was the line: "(d) a signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signaling method consisting of the group . . .- - -. . . (SOS) in the Morse Code;" Which hardly seems to make a strobe become ''valueable'' on the masthead; although I -did- come across a mention of one boat in distress which did exactly that (used the strobe to flash an SOS). Aside from that one mention and two hearing of strobe used by single-handers as a nighttime ''see me'', that''s all I''ve been able to find about it -- accept that Aqua Signal offers it as an option for their tri-colors. Just for grins I will send Aqua Signal a message and ask them why they offer it and what its -approved- use would be (smile). I''ll report back when/if they reply. Jonathan  

I spoke too soon. There apparently -are- valid uses for the masthead strobe. First, West Marine says it is approved for use as a distress light on inland waters; but illegal offshore. Next, the rules for the ''Singlehanded Transpacific Yacht Race'' actually -requires- masthead stobe lights on participating vessels. (Page 5, 7.24) at: http://www.sfbaysss.org/transpac2004/transpac_nor.pdf The Port of Charleston mentions them (and white flares) as visibility tools -- but says the strobe is for ''distress only''. http://www.port-of-charleston.com/community/keep.asp Same is repeated for Chesapeake Bay at: http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/CB/keepclear.html Seems to be prohibted in Austraila: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1983/34.html Basically same said at: http://www.boatingsafety.com/colregs.htm And the definatibve answer seems to be at: http://www.offsoundings.com/22STROBLIGHTS.pdf Which references the -approved- use of strobe likes described by the USCG Navigation Center. I''l take their word for it (smile). So there are approved uses of a masthead strobe, but mainly on inland waterways. How the Transpac avoids the clear international prohibition of the lights is confusing to me. Jonathan  

Has anything changed that I could not locate regarding Strobes. I had a tri color, anchor, strobe mast light but I am in need of replacing it and will go with LED... and NO strobe light. While on the subject of mast head lighting.,, there is a pretty wide range of LED Tri Color/Anchor lights on the market. I could really careless as long as they meet USCG Regs... unless I'm missing something I will probably go with ones around $250  

I recently installed one of these: Ultra Light LED Navigation Light Fixture | Products | Lunasea Lighting Nice little unit and incorporates a strobe if you want it. It is probably 10% of the size of my last tricolor/anchor light combo and uses a lot less power.  

I like this one from Marine Beam: Smart Switching LED Tri-Color / Anchor / SOS Strobe Light LED - Tricolor, Anchor AND Strobe! $100!!  

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Tri-Color (Masthead)

Tri-Color (112.5° Red, 112.5° Green, 135° White) Sailboat Masthead Options

sku: N3-TRI-CMB

Smart led tri-color, anchor light, and strobe.

sku: N4-360-AA

All-around led anchor light for sailboat mast - series 40 type <20m.

sku: N4-TRI-124

Led tri-color and all-around anchor navigation stack light.

THIS AMAZING 2-WIRE LED LAMP IS A TRI-COLOR, 360 DEGREE ALL-ROUND ANCHOR LIGHT, AND SOS STROBE IN A SINGLE COMPACT FIXTURE. While this looks like an ordinary anchor light fixture, proprietary LED technology makes it function as a Tri-Mode fixture...

An economical 2NM LED All-Around Anchor Light fixture navigation light intended to be mounted on the top of the mast on larger sailboats.  It replaces the Aqua Signal Series 40 type anchor lights, as it is of similar size and height. Prefitted with...

Specifications: 10-30VDC, low EMI design 5W max. Current draw of <0.50A @ 12VDC Brass / hardened plastic construction Easy mounting with four (4) screws, not included Red/Green/White LEDs for maximum transmissivity Sharp sector...

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Lunasea Child/Pet Safety Water Activated Strobe Light w/RF Transmitter - Blue Case

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WHAT ARE BOAT SAFETY LIGHTS AND WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

Boat safety lights are lighting devices that are used to make boats and other watercraft visible to other boats and people on the water. These lights are an essential aspect of boating safety as they help to prevent collisions and other accidents on the water.

The use of boat safety lights is important because they increase the visibility of a boat, making it easier for other boats and vessels to see and avoid it. This can help prevent collisions and accidents, especially in low-light conditions or during periods of poor visibility.

In addition, the use of distress signals, such as flares, can help alert other boats and rescue services to a potential emergency and can help speed up the response time in the event of a crisis.

WHAT TYPES OF BOAT SAFETY LIGHTS ARE AVAILABLE?

There are several different types of boat safety lights available, including navigation lights, anchor lights, strobe lights, and emergency lights. Navigation lights are used to indicate the direction of travel, anchor lights are used to mark a stationary boat, strobe lights are used to signal distress, and emergency lights are used to signal a man overboard.

WHAT ARE THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BOAT SAFETY LIGHTS?

The legal requirements for boat safety lights vary depending on the size of the boat, the type of activity, and the time of day. However, in general, boats must have working navigation lights that indicate the direction of a boat’s travel. These lights are often red and green in color. The size of the vessel will dictate how many of these you need and where they should be placed on the boat. Additionally, boats must have anchor lights and a white all-round light that is visible from a distance of two nautical miles and shine in all directions.

WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN INSTALLING BOAT SAFETY LIGHTS?

When installing boat safety lights, you should consider the placement of the lights on your boat, the wiring and battery requirements, and the type of mounting system that is required. Especially if your new lighting requires drilling into your boat’s gunwale or another onboard structure, be sure you understand where existing wiring is placed so you don’t disrupt other functions of the boat. You should also ensure that the lights are easily accessible for maintenance and replacement.

HOW DO I MAINTAIN MY BOAT SAFETY LIGHTS?

To maintain your boat safety lights, you should regularly check the batteries and wiring, clean the lenses, and replace any broken or damaged lights as soon as possible. Additionally, you should store your lights properly when not in use to prevent damage.

CAN I USE LED BOAT SAFETY LIGHTS INSTEAD OF TRADITIONAL LIGHTS?

Yes, you can use LED boat safety lights instead of traditional lights. LED lights are more energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan than traditional lights. Additionally, LED lights are often brighter and provide more visibility than traditional lights.

Best Handheld Spotlights For Sailing

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Handheld spotlights are an essential tool for low-light sailing. Waterproof spotlights work for repair, rescue, navigation, and rigging in poor conditions.

In this article, we’ll cover seven of the best handheld spotlights for sailing. We’ll also go over what to look for when purchasing a spotlight, battery types, light measurement units, and the benefits of having one aboard.

The best handheld spotlights for sailing are bright, durable, and feature multiple light modes. These spotlights also have a long battery life, and they’re completely waterproof. For navigation, marine spotlights should produce at least 1,000 lumens of light and have a beam distance of 350 yards or more.

We sourced technical data from top spotlight manufacturers such as Goodsmann and Browning. We also took into consideration the experience of expert sailors who navigate with these products on a regular basis.

Table of contents

What Is a Handheld Sailing Spotlight?

Fundamentally, a handheld sailing spotlight is just a glorified flashlight. What differentiates it is its shape, how you hold it, and how you control the light.

Handheld marine spotlights have a pistol-style grip and buttons where the trigger would be. This is because it's very easy to aim and control a configuration like this. Also, the precise pointability of handheld spotlights gives them an advantage over traditional flashlights.

Another area where they differentiate is brightness. For reference, a standard Maglite flashlight produces about 14 lumens of light, which is enough for indoor and limited outdoor use. A standard handheld marine spotlight produces 1,500 lumens or more, which can illuminate an entire building.

Handheld Marine Spotlight Uses

What are handheld marine spotlights used for, and how can they benefit sailors? A handheld marine spotlight is one of the single most useful tools a sailor can have. These lights are useful for navigation, making repairs, rescuing people, and even communication.

Rescue and Repair

High-power marine spotlights make it possible to Pinpoint the location of tangled rigging high up on the mast or to spot the reflective strip of a life jacket in a violent sea. You can use them to scan the water for obstacles such as driftwood or rocks, and the strobe function can alert rescuers to your exact location.

Communication and Distress Signals

Spotlights are also used as signaling devices. Everybody knows the morse code signal for "SOS," and experienced sailors can communicate proficiently with other vessels using lights. Most marine spotlights have a momentary switch function, allowing you to essentially tap-out morse code signals to other vessels.

What Makes a Great Handheld Sailing Spotlight?

Sailing spotlights (in general, "marine spotlights") are not the same as traditional handheld utility spotlights. Rather, marine spotlights must stand up to harsh conditions such as extreme heat, extreme cold, and water.

The best marine spotlights are durable, shock-resistant, and completely waterproof. Water resistance is a key feature of the best sailing spotlights. These marine lights must be completely sealed around the lens, battery compartment, and buttons to qualify as waterproof.

Waterproofing is especially important for bluewater sailing, as saltwater is notoriously corrosive to the electrical contacts in the spotlight. Some marine spotlights feature red lens filters, which help your eyes stay adjusted during the night.

Marine spotlights should be constructed of durable material that's also somewhat pliable. Rubber compounds, for example, are often found on marine spotlights, as it's drop-resistant and provides a level of shock absorption for the sensitive components inside.

Lumens vs. Beam Intensity

Lumens and beam intensity are similar but often confused, so it's important to know the difference when choosing a marine spotlight.

A lumen is a unit of measurement for light. It quantifies how much (or the total quantity of) visible light comes from a particular source. It's essentially just a way to measure brightness.

Beam intensity is measured by a unit called a "candela." For reference, a typical flame candle emits about one candela (1cu), and a typical marine spotlight emits about 2,000 or more candelas (2000cu).

Beam Distance

Beam distance is another factor to consider when choosing a marine spotlight. Most sailors find a beam distance of between 350 and 500 yards acceptable, and anything above 500 yards is excellent.

For reference, a typical Maglite flashlight has a beam distance of about 100 yards. Keep in mind that beam distance is usually measured with the lens focused for range, so you may not always be able to achieve such long beam ranges.

Rechargeable vs. Disposable Batteries

Battery type is an important factor to consider. Today, most marine spotlights use high-powered rechargeable batteries, but some models still take disposable batteries. Today, most handheld marine spotlights use lithium-ion or lithium polymer cells.

The primary advantage to a spotlight with disposable batteries is that when they run out of juice, you can just toss and replace them.

Rechargeable batteries store much more power, and they often work longer between charges. However, batteries take a long time to charge, and you may need to run a generator to keep your spotlight topped off.

The happy medium between rechargeable and disposable batteries is the replaceable rechargeable battery. These batteries are removable, so you can keep one on the charger at all times, and you'll always have a fresh replacement ready to go.

Rechargeable Battery Hazards

Always purchase name-brand batteries for your handheld spotlight, and always charge them on a controlled charger.

Many cheap batteries have quality-control Problems, and lithium batteries can explode and cause fires if punctured or overcharged. Charge controllers regulate the speed and intensity of charging, and (unlike cheap chargers) they stop charging when the battery is full.

Best Handheld Marine Spotlights

We used a combination of experience and technical data to find some of the best handheld marine spotlights available today. These spotlights can help you make the most of nighttime sailing, and they can even save your life in dangerous situations. Here are seven of our top picks.

1. Goodsmann Rechargeable Marine Spotlight

Goodsmann is a trustworthy and well-known manufacturer of marine spotlights, and their standard model is an excellent choice  for sailboat owners.

Goodsmann uses proprietary IP67 materials on this marine spotlight. It's designed to float in water, making it easy to retrieve if it falls overboard, and it's completely waterproof, which is a must for sailing spotlights.

This Goodsmann spotlight features three lighting modes. There's an ultra-bright mode, a soft-light mode, and a flashing emergency mode.

The Goodsmann spotlight features a respectable 2000mAh rechargeable battery that charges from a USB port. Most users of this spotlight are satisfied with its battery life, though the battery is not removable.

This spotlight falls into the 'light duty' category, as it's reliable and functional yet not quite robust enough for real bluewater sailing. That said, it's waterproof and shock-resistant, making it an excellent option for coastal and inland cruising.

Goodsmann reports that its spotlight produces 3,000 lumens of light in a relatively wide beam. This is perfect for general use but can become blinding in fog or heavy spray. This model uses LED bulb technology.

2. ZOHI LED Rechargeable Marine Spotlight

Here's another great entry-level marine spotlight that's great for light and medium-duty roles. The ZOHI LED handheld spotlight is a 1,500-lumen waterproof torch  with a rechargeable battery and a USB port for charging a cell phone.

This marine spotlight is positively buoyant and waterproof down to one meter. That means it's great for use in rain and spray, but it's not waterproof enough to be used as a dive spotlight.

ZOHI states that this model has an effective range of about 500 yards, which is sufficient for most sailing activities. The battery life is exceptional, as it features two internal 2,200mAh batteries. You can charge this spotlight from a 12v DC outlet or from a standard 120v wall outlet using the included adapter.

This spotlight features five modes. The solid-beam functions in a high, medium, or low mode, and a strobe mode is also available. This light also features an SOS mode for emergencies.

The bean is controlled by a trigger. The trigger itself is large and tactile, making it easy to use with gloves or cold hands. It also features a trigger-locking mechanism, which allows you to store the light safely without draining the battery accidentally.

The case of the ZOHI marine spotlight is made of a. durable plastic, which resists shock and holds up well to foul weather conditions. The inside of the light body is mostly hollow, which is necessary to make the spotlight float.

3. YIERBLUE Rechargeable Marine Spotlight

This YIERBLUE ultra-bright utility spotlight  has an extra-long battery life for when it really counts. The YIERBLUE spotlight isn't completely waterproof, but it's perfect for use on the dock or when making repairs at anchor.

The most useful feature of this spotlight is its long battery life. It comes from the factory with an enormous 10,000mAh battery, which is more than twice the industry standard. With a battery that size, you can use this spotlight continuously for up to twenty hours.

In addition to long battery life, the YIERBLUE spotlight is also exceptionally bright. This spotlight uses CREE LED lights to Produce about 6,000 lumens of useful light. It can illuminate over 2,600 feet, which is roughly 870 yards.

Like most utility spotlights, this model features three lighting modes. The settings include a high mode, a low mode, and a flashing setting for distress calls. It also has a red and blue setting, which is relatively uncommon.

This spotlight is made of a combination of aluminum and A3S plastic. The aluminum adds a comfortable amount of weight to the light, and ABS plastic Provides an acceptable level of impact resistance.

There is an additional light strip on the side of the housing that can be used as a lantern down below in the cabin or up on deck in dryer conditions. The YIERBLUE handheld spotlight isn't a purpose-built marine spotlight, but it still makes the list because of its many other applications.

It's the perfect long-lasting light for down below, making repairs, and navigating in calmer conditions. Ii-or the price, it's difficult to find a more useful water-resistant (but not waterproof) handheld spotlight for sailing.

4. EMMMSUN Rechargeable Marine Spotlight

EMMMSUN makes an excellent entry-level marine spotlight  that meets nearly all the qualifications for sailing. This yellow marine spotlight is waterproof, floatable, and powerful enough for use in navigation.

This handheld marine spotlight emits a maximum of 1500 lumens of light, which is sufficient for most sailing tasks. Unlike most marine spotlights, this EMMMSUN model includes a removable red lens filter, which can be used as a distress signal in an emergency.

Like the previous spotlight, this EMMMSUN unit features an excellent battery life. The manufacturer states that it includes three 18650 rechargeable batteries for a total capacity of 10,000mAh. That gives it a battery life of eight hours. This unit also charges relatively fast, as a complete recharge can be achieved in about four hours.

Like many other affordable marine spotlights, the EMMMSUN also features a USB port, which converts it into a mobile power bank for charging phones, cameras, and handheld GPS units. Some may view this feature as a bit of a gimmick, but sailors often find it useful in real-world situations. For example, you can use it to preserve your phone battery while playing music and repairing your boat.

This marine spotlight features a high mode with a range of 530 yards, a low mode with a range of 400 yards, and a high flashing mode with a range of 530 yards. On the low mode, the manufacturer claims a battery life of up to twenty hours.

A spotlight like this may not be the best primary light for a transatlantic crossing. That said, it's a perfect backup, and it's perfectly adequate for coastal cruising, inland cruising, and short offshore excursions.

5. West Marine Mini LED Marine Spotlight

You can always count on West Marine to fill a sailing market niche. This West Marine-brand miniature spotlight  may be small, but it's robust enough for serious sailing.

As far as light production is concerned, this relatively weak 250-lumen handheld spotlight doesn't quite stack up to the other models on this list. But if you already have a preferred light, this model would make an excellent backup.

This miniature spotlight uses disposable alkaline batteries, which are easily replaceable, making it ideal for emergency use. Additionally, the low-voltage catteries used by this light are safer than lithium-ion batteries.

This miniature spotlight is durable and waterproof enough for offshore use. As a standalone light, it's not quite bright enough to be used as a primary spotlight. However, it makes an excellent pair with ultrabright spotlights like the less robust YIERBLUE 6,000-lumen water-resistant handheld spotlight. Also, spotlights can malfunction, so it's always smart to have a less complex backup around.

This spotlight uses three standard C batteries and has a maximum range of 984 feet, which is just over 320 yards. Overall, the simplicity of this design makes it an excellent addition to any sailboat tool or emergency bag. And with up to eight hours of run time, it won't break the bank with battery replacements.

This 1,400-lumen marine spotlight has a beam distance of 725 yards, which is quite good. Most nighttime navigation can be done in a small boat within this distance, and it's plenty far for use in rescue and repair.

6. Browning High Noon 40 Marine Spotlight

Browning is a well-known producer of hunting and outdoor supplies, and they also produce a respectable 1,400-lumen marine handheld spotlight . This lightweight and waterproof spotlight is an ideal choice for offshore and coastal sailing.

This handheld spotlight is waterproof and rated to about one meter, meaning it's good for storm conditions but not suited for diving. However, water resistance shouldn't ever be a problem because this spotlight floats. And at just about one pound in weight, it's light enough to tie to your lifejacket or keep in an emergency kit.

The case of the Browning spotlight is designed to float in water, and it's made of impact-resistant ABS plastic. This spotlight looks and feels quite similar to many other high-quality marine spotlights on the market today.

This spotlight uses rechargeable batteries, but there's also a model available that uses disposable C batteries. The model with disposable batteries weighs in at around 3 pounds loaded and has a remarkable 72-hour battery life when set to low power. On high power mode, this flashlight battery lasts a still impressive nine hours.

7. Princeton Tec Sector 7 Dive Light

The final spotlight on our list isn't technically a sailing spotlight, but its characteristics make it ideal for bluewater voyages. The Princeton Tec Sector 7 is a handheld diving spotlight  that's completely waterproof. Dive spotlights are specifically designed to be used underwater. As a result, they are almost entirely impervious to the harsh conditions of open ocean sailing.

The Princeton Tec Sector 7 spotlight runs off of 8 C batteries, which can either be disposable or rechargeable. This light can operate for four hours at 700 lumens or thirty hours total. The initial four-hour burn time is "regulated," meaning the light is guaranteed not to lose brightness during that time.

This dive light uses a trigger activation system with two stages. The first stage is a spring-loaded momentary switch for flashing or signaling, and the second stage is a constant connection. It also includes a trigger locking mechanism that prevents accidental battery drainage.

This spotlight is multi-purpose, durable, and robust. Unlike the other sailing spotlights on our list, this model can be used to scrape the bottom or repair underwater damage in a pinch. It'll also work well under the harshest weather conditions, and it's subdued beam works better in foggy conditions.

Unlike brighter lights, it won't blind the user when it's misty outside. The primary disadvantage of this light is its reduced range and brightness. This model has only a fraction of the lumens that many other LED marine spotlights have, and that's partially because it's designed to be used underwater. That said, 700 lumens is plenty for most low-light sailing tasks.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Navigation light requirements

• Thread starter tipsyravensailing
• Start date Mar 21, 2018
• Forums for All Owners
• Ask All Sailors

tipsyravensailing

Hiya all! continuing work on my pearson p26 and I happen to have the mast down so i'm looking at these very old light fixtures and planning on replacing them. With the mast down it just makes sense to do so. The trick is - i know i need a stern white and bow red/green, and a steamer, and the anchor light. I know that much. But do i need a tricolor up top too? Right now there's just a 360 anchor light up there. Thanks!  

Scott T-Bird

You don't have to have a tricolor on top of the mast if you have the navigation lights at the bow and stern, but if you are out on Lake Michigan at night with all those big commercial ships around you, you might want to have that option. If you install this product from Marine Beam it functions as an anchor light, tri-color, and SOS in one fixture with just 2 wires. It changes mode thru the switch mechanism. I installed it last year. It is a pretty slick product. https://store.marinebeam.com/classic-style-smart-tri-color-anchor-sos-fixture/  

No need for a tricolor @ mast top. All around white is adequate, as long as you have red/green elsewhere.  

If I remember correctly, you can't legally have the tri and the lower nav lights on at the same time.. I think that is the only restriction..  

tipsyravensailing said: i had just found that lamp - its cool. Its on the list and yeah, i want those big ships to see me and vice versa. I'll spend extra to put it up there. I just wanted to know if putting i t up there was incorrectly lighting my boat for its size. Click to expand

kloudie1 said: If I remember correctly, you can't legally have the tri and the lower nav lights on at the same time.. I think that is the only restriction.. Click to expand

tipsyravensailing said: I'm already set up to switch them all separately so that works Click to expand

the stern light would be switched independantly too right? I think its currently tied to the bow lights. I had intentions on giving it its own circuit.  

tipsyravensailing said: the stern light would be switched independantly too right? I think its currently tied to the bow lights. I had intentions on giving it its own circuit. Click to expand

So the rear facing mast white light replaces the need for a stern light?  

tipsyravensailing said: So the rear facing mast white light replaces the need for a stern light? Click to expand

dlochner said: There is no rear facing white light, except for the one on the tricolor. Click to expand

Scott T-Bird said: ??? the stern light is rear facing white used with the nav lights. Click to expand

For the regulations, this is a great link, with pictures of lights see Rules 20 - 30 in section C: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=NavRulesAmalgamated Essentially, if the motor is engaged, you are a power-driven vessel underway (Rule 23) and show a red-green forward, white aft, and another white forward, above the red-green. If you are sailing (Rule 25), you do not show the white light forward, but everything else is the same. In all cases, you must be able to see at least one light from any direction. Showing two lights the same color (red over red, for example) means something else (in that case, not under command - Rule 27) and may confuse people who are familiar with the rules. Legally, the US Coast Guard can fine you, but honestly they have better things to do than write tickets for lights. It's just a good practice to not show the deck-level navigation lights and a tri-color, or the anchor and steaming lights, at the same time so you don't look like a fool. One other problem with tri-lights is that they are difficult to see close-in. Your average power boater is not looking up 40 feet, so they may not see you. I normally only turn on a tri-light when sailing well off shore where another vessel would be approaching for half-an-hour or so, not running close in. A great advantage is also that way up there, it preserves your night vision as the rest of the boat is dark.  

Stu Jackson

Scott T-Bird said: I said that I can't think of any situation where seeing both on would be confusing enough to cause a problem. So what if you "look" like 2 boats, close together, going in the same direction. How would it cause the ship that "sees" the pair of navigation lights to react differently? Click to expand

Parsons said: It's just a good practice to not show the deck-level navigation lights and a tri-color, or the anchor and steaming lights, at the same time so you don't look like a fool. One other problem with tri-lights is that they are difficult to see close-in. Your average power boater is not looking up 40 feet, so they may not see you. I normally only turn on a tri-light when sailing well off shore where another vessel would be approaching for half-an-hour or so, not running close in. Click to expand

Parsons said: ....Essentially, if the motor is engaged, you are a power-driven vessel underway (Rule 23) and show a red-green forward, white aft, and another white forward, above the red-green. If you are sailing (Rule 25), you do not show the white light forward, but everything else is the same..... Click to expand

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Product Reviews

SOS Distress Light

A Coast-Guard approved Night Visual Distress Signal

From Issue   March 2016

A foam ring keeps the light floating upright.

T he older I get, the more safety conscious I become. Every year I add to the emergency kit I bring on my small-boat adventures, but as yet I’ve never carried pyrotechnic emergency flares. My reluctance stems from wariness: I’m averse to the explosions that launch aerial flares and the slag that drips from handheld flares. I don’t want to chance burning a hole in dry bags or sails, further endangering me in an emergency, or risk swamping or capsize by holding a flare far over the gunwale. Flares are also bad news from financial and environmental perspectives. A basic set costs about $30 and expires in around three years, providing the flares don’t get damp or damaged, a likely occurrence on a small boat. Once their expiration date has passed, flares no longer meet Coast Guard requirements and have to be replaced and eventually disposed as a hazardous material. All that aside, do they work? According to many reports, including an article from the safety-oriented BoatUS, flares, lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes, aren’t actually very visible.

So what’s a small-boat sailor to do? The new battery-powered SOS Distress Light from Weems & Plath may be worth considering as an addition your kit. Introduced to the market in January of this year, the light is currently the only one of its type to meet Coast Guard requirements. There are many emergency strobe lights with simple on/off flashing, but they don’t qualify as substitutes for flares.

The SOS Distress Light is modest in size, with solid construction. Measuring approximately 8″ tall and 4 1/4″ at its widest point, it can stow easily in a small boat. Made of orange plastic, it has anchors for two shock-cord straps that I find useful for securing the light to a spar or an oar handle. A dense foam ring protects the unit and allows it to float upright should it be dropped in the water. A clear plastic lens projects light upward in a focused beam and outward horizontally through 360 degrees. The device is powered by three C-cell batteries (not included). You rotate the lens clockwise to turn the light on, counterclockwise to turn it off. Continuing to turn the lens counterclockwise removes it to provide access to the batteries. Two O-rings make a watertight seal between the lens and the battery housing.

The light is produced by a single LED dome about 1/16″ in diameter, and the circuitry connected to it produces an SOS pattern—three short flashes, three long flashes, three short flashes—timed to meet Coast Guard specifications . The light quality is crisp and clear, but not blinding. The packaging claims the light “runs 6 hours at peak intensity, total illumination 60 hours.” I left the unit on for 24 hours straight, and it did not dim noticeably. Even after 50 hours straight, the unit still provided enough light to be useful.

The SOS Distress Light comes with an internationally recognized day distress signal flag.

I initially thought the light seemed too small to have much effect at a distance, but when I took it outside at night, it was surprisingly visible. According to the manufacturer, the light can be seen for up to 10 nautical miles. It’s easiest to spot any signal light in near total darkness and when there are no other lights in its vicinity. I found the SOS Distress Light to be clearly visible at a half mile, the longest range I could find where I wouldn’t create a false alarm. While the device is intended for nighttime or low-visibility conditions, it is somewhat visible by day.

While the light is designed to float upright with its lens above the water, it can be obscured by waves at short distances, and by the curvature of the Earth at long distances. Raising it attached to the handle of an oar can extend visibility, but because the light is projected in a horizontal plane, the light should be kept as close as possible to perpendicular to be most effective.

Even though we small-boat sailors are not often far offshore, a small craft can be hard to see, especially in rough water. In an emergency during daylight hours, the SOS Distress Light, in conjunction with a VHF radio or an EPIRB, could be very useful in guiding rescue crews once they’ve arrived at the general location. The light projected from the top of the lens can then be aimed at potential rescuers. Having a nighttime distress signal that can flash a universally recognized distress signal for hours can have a distinct advantage over relying on the brief lives of incendiary flares.

Bruce Bateau sails and rows traditional boats with a modern twist in Portland, Oregon. His stories and adventures can be found at his web site, Terrapin Tales .

The SOS Distress Light comes with a plastic 34″ x 36″ daytime distress signal flag (a black ball and square on an orange background) and retails for $99.95. It is manufactured in the USA by Weems & Plath and available from the  manufacturer ,  The WoodenBoat Store , and many marine chandleries.

UPDATE : 12/16/2020 Weems & Plath no longer lists the SOS Distress Light on its website and the WoodenBoat Store no longer has stock and doesn’t know if they’ll be resupplied. There is a nearly identical device under the Sirius Signal brand for $89.95. For a newer and more compact SOS distress light from ACR, see our review in the December  2020 issue .

If you have an interesting story to tell about your adventures with a small wooden boat, please email   us a brief outline and a few photos.

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Personal Rescue Lights: Less Than Brilliant

In two on-the-water tests, acr slightly outshone the rest of a dim constellation. these lights can make all the difference in a quick pick-up, but forget the requirements and claims - youre unlikely to see them beyond a half-mile in most sea conditions..

If theres a lesson to be learned about personal rescue lights -the kind you have strapped or pinned to your PFD for when you fall overboard-its this: Only fall overboard on a dark, clear, calm night with no ambient light near the surface of the water. And stay close to the boat.

Truly theres an almost infinite variety of conditions in which we might have to search for someone whos fallen overboard. In any kind of chop (starting at less than a foot), your ability to see any light almost at the surface of the water is diminished greatly. Add inclement weather, lights along a shoreline, flashing navigation lights, your own navigation and search lights, the man overboards position in the water and the direction he’s facing, in any mixture you please, and your difficulties will increase dramatically.

No matter what the Coast Guard requires or manufacturers claim, our tests made it clear to us that the primary role of personal rescue lights-both strobes and fixed lights-is to help you locate and recover someone almost immediately after theyve gone overboard, or, failing that, to help the Coast Guard, who will be looking from a helicopter with their night-vision and thermal-sensing equipment on. In either case, strobes will be much more effective than fixed lights, which, as far as we could tell, might serve best simply to cheer up the person in the water.

What We Tested We tested seven strobes and three non-flashing lights. The 11th product, Sea Marshalls Personal Rescue Beacon, includes a radio beacon as well as an emergency light (which is actually an illuminated necklace). Most use small batteries. (ACRs RapidFire and HemiLight are made for one- time use; their Lithium batteries cannot be replaced.) You attach most with a Velcro strap, a pin, or a clip. Prices range from $12 (ACR C-Light) to $180 (Personal Rescue Beacon).

The Claims There are two sets of approvals:

1) Coast Guard-approved Personal Flotation Device Lights: These have to be visible from a distance of 1 nautical mile at night when first activated, and must operate for at least 8 hours.

2) SOLAS Lifejacket Lights:These CG-approved lights are similar to the personal flotation device lights described above, except that theyre required to be used on ships on international voyages, and meet the higher standards of an international treaty, the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention. They have to have an all-around light output of 0.75 candella for 8 hours over a range of operating temperatures.

All of the PFD lights are CG-approved except for ACRs Firefly Plus and Doublefly. These two arent CG-approved because their dual-purposes (strobe and flashlight) are powered by the same battery source, meaning the user is less likely to be aware of the battery life. The ACR HemiLight is a SOLAS-approved life jacket light.

Who failed to live up to the CG standards in our tests? The ACR C-Light and the Fulton 102 were not visible at 1 nautical mile in the two visibility tests we performed. The Forespar RL-2 was not visible at 1 nm in the first test, but we spotted a trace in the second test at the same distance.

The manufacturers go a step further and make visibility claims on product packaging and/advertisements (See chart). For instance, the ACR C-Strobe, C-Light and RapidFire and the Forespar RL-2 claim they can be seen up to 2 miles.

Who failed to live up to their own visibility claims in our tests? All of them.

The First Test Given the maze of emergency conditions possible, we decided to test a coastwise scenario in which someone might fall overboard near shore, instead of in ideal circumstances like the ones described above. We did the first round of testing at a small local boatyard, which was shut down for the night. The yard lies on a small point at the foot of the channel. Inshore and slightly to the east and west of the boatyard were a few residential lights and, during the 1-1/2 hours of testing, two or three sets of moving headlights. About 200 yards to the east, the town beach had three lights over its deserted parking lot. There were no significant sources of light within roughly 100 yards of either side of the strobes. We turned off the floodlights in the yard.

We used one ramp of a Travel-Lift slip as the testing platform. It had an unobstructed view straight out the channel into Long Island Sound. The weather was clear and chilly (about 45 degrees) with no moon but plenty of stars. The wind was almost calm, with only an occasional whiff of a breeze. Offshore, where the spotters were located, there were 6″ ripples. Visibility was excellent: The Long Island shore, about 12 nautical miles away, was clearly seen.

The testing was simple: We fixed all the strobes to a short length of 2×4 and strapped that to a standard Type-II PFD. We suspended the PFD from a loop of line, so that we could lower it from the Travel-Lift ramp to the waters surface but keep the head support elevated 6-8″ in roughly the same position it would be if there were a person in it. In a second position, we raised the assembly two feet off the water, to approximate the height of the strobe if the MOB were holding it up at arms length.

We turned the strobes on, one by one, in a stationary position near shore, and monitored how far they could be seen from a boat moving farther and farther away, with two spotters on board. For this we used Powerboat Reports 21 walkaround.

What We Found Despite the fact that the local shoreline was not brightly lit relative to most coastal communities, the ambient light was surely a factor in the spotters ability to see the strobes. At a half-mile off shore, the effect was minimal, but as the spotters headed farther offshore, light sources started blending together.

The confusion of light, the increasing distance, and minimal elevation at both strobe and eye levels meant that in those conditions the strobes would be effective only at much closer ranges than we might be led to expect. When the spotters were beyond 1.5 miles away, the person ashore tending the strobes had to flash a 500,000 candella searchlight at them to locate the strobes position. At that point, of course, in an emergency situation, the MOB would not be located. (Note that the spotters were searching with naked eye alone. Neither requires eyeglasses.)

Once the spotters had the test position in view, some strobes fared better than others, and these, it seemed to both spotters and strobe-tender, were simply brighter and more intense than the others. The three non-flashing lights-the ACR C-Light, the Fulton 102 and Personal Rescue Beacon-were not visible at any distance tested.

The Second Test The results of our first test were so out of line with what wed been led to expect that we decided to do a 180 and test again: We sent the Powerboat Reports editor out in his boat with the strobe lights, while two other editors remained on an isolated sandy spit of the Long Island Sound shore. This time, conditions werent as benign: There was a cold wind out of the west at 10-15 knots, creating a chop of 1 to 2 feet offshore. However, visibility was good. Long Island, about 8 miles south of the spit, was clearly seen. A few blinking navigation aids and the lights of a passing barge or two provided the only ambient light.

The PBR editor first anchored his boat about 1 nautical mile from the onshore spotters (he used a GPS to measure distance) and then 1.5 nautical miles away. As was done in the first test, the lights were attached to a Type II PFD and placed at water level. They were turned on one-by-one. A cell phone was used to communicate with the spotters on shore.

What We Found Essentially, we had the same results. The lights started out OK, with our on-shore spotters picking up six of the lights (they were either weak or they saw just a trace of the light) at 1 nm. But once the boat moved to the 1.5 nm mark, the spotters saw only one light-and just a trace of it (the ACR Doublefly). Again, the three non-flashing lights were not visible at any distance tested.

In the first test, the Fulton 103 was clearly the brightest light. It was seen up to 1.5 nautical miles, and we picked up a trace at 2 nautical miles. The ACR C-Strobe was weak at 1.5 nm, and we saw a trace of the ACR RapidFire at the same distance. In the second test, five of the lights were visible at 1 nm, but only the ACR Doublefly was visible at 1.5 nm.

So the Fulton 103 and the ACR Doublefly fared best in our visibility tests. Wed give the edge to the latter since it was tested in rougher sea conditions.

Click here to view the Strobe Lights Visibility Tests.

Other Factors We submerged the lights in salt water for more than 8 hours to test for water resistance and longevity. All remained illuminated for the CG-required 8 hours. The Forespar RL-2 stayed lit the longest, giving out in its 27th hour. At 24 hours, the ACR C-Light was still on but weak, as was the Fulton 102. Only the Fulton 103 and the Forespar RL-2 showed traces of water during our inspection of their innards. They continued to work, though.

Our submersion test also told us this: Only three of the 11 lights float-the Firefly Plus, the RapidFire and the Personal Rescue Beacon.

Easy operation of an overboard light is critical. The person in the water will be scared, if not panicked, and possibly injured after falling overboard. It takes two hands to activate the switches on the round lights, while the ACR Firefly2 and Doublefly have slide-type switches that can be activated easily with one hand (the units themselves are less cumbersome, too). The ACR RapidFire is easily activated by pulling out a pin, and when its properly attached to an automatic inflatable, the RapidFire will activate automatically when this type of PFD inflates. (We tested it and it worked.) We also like this unit because it floats.

Conclusion/Recommendations Our tests were forgiving in terms of weather, sea conditions, and ambient light. Our observers knew what they were looking for and where the lights were supposed to be-and yet still had trouble seeing them.

No matter who requires or claims what, these lights are best suited for helping make a quick recovery in dark conditions. The greater the man overboards separation from the boat, the faster his or her chances dwindle, so a light attached to the PFD can make all the difference between life and death. For this reason we heartily endorse the use of personal strobes; we just wouldnt count on seeing any of them beyond a half-mile in most conditions. We wouldnt rely on steady lights at all.

If you plan on attaching a light to an automatic inflatable PFD, wed recommend the $41 RapidFire. If youre buying just one light to equip a vest or harness to take with you from boat to boat, the expensive ACR Doublefly (at $109) is a good choice: It performed the best in our rough-water visibility test, and its easily turned on. The $45 Fulton 103, which did so well in our first visibility test, is also a good all-around choice.

Contacts – ACR, 5757 Ravenswood Rd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312; 954/981-3333, www.acrelectronics.com . Forespar Products, Inc., 22322 Gilberto, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688; 949/858-8820. Fulton Industries, 135 E. Linfoot St., P.O. Box 377, Wauseon, Ohio 43567; 800/537-5012, www.fultonindoh.com . Sea Marshall Rescue Systems USA, 1411 Broadway Ave., 12th floor, NY, NY 10018; 800/313-9714, www.seamarshallrescue.com .

Also With This Article Click here to view the Strobe Lights Visibility Tests . Click here to view the Personal Strobe Lights Value Guide . Click here to view “The Story Behind the Claims.” Click here to view the ACR Lights . Click here to view the Forespar, Fulton & Sea Marshall Lights .

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