garden solar light use ?

lockmaster

hello all ...
I had this idea to use a garden solar light as a stern light . what,s your thought,s on this idea !

Tabnabs

lockmaster wrote: »

hello all ...
I had this idea to use a garden solar light as a stern light . what,s your thought,s on this idea !

[pedant]
Rule 21
"Sternlight" means a white light placed as nearly as practicable at the stern showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 135 degrees and so fixed as to show the light 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side of the vessel.
[/pedant]

It's not a sternlight, it's an all-round white light. This may cause confusion to other boats when you have your other nav lights switched on also. If it's your only nav light, then the location is less than ideal as it will be blocked by the coachroof of the boat etc. It's a cheap and IMO emergency alternative, but nav lights are an important bit of kit and with the advent of LEDs, the days of bright lights with small battery drain are here.

lockmaster

thanks for your input a lot of information there .

neris

garden lights dont put out that much light and you want to be seen from a distance not spotted as someone approaches your stern at speed. If you are desperate to get a cheap emergency white light a good bicycle light costs less then 50 quid and easy on batteries. At least for other water users safety dont use a garden light

lockmaster

thanks for your input will take it into consideration .

Steve

As was said already, if you are navigating in darkness then proper lights are essential. You need something that can be seen at least a mile away.

That said, kudos for the ingenuity. If you had it on the top of the windscreen or somewhere where it could be seen all around then it would be perfect as a no maintenance anchor light.

lockmaster

thanks for your input .