Bow Nav lights (pulpit or mast mounted)

[jcurry]

Need help from the bigboat folks. My Sun 2000 has a Perko bow light that is partially obscured by the bow roller . Not a real problem on Minnesota lake with little traffic, but want to be more visible when on Lake Superior. I am considering going with either a bow pulpit mount or a mast mount (Lopo masthead) . I have seen the bow pulpit mounts that are welded to the pulpit but not sure about the wiring. I thought the wires were run inside the pulpit tubing but not sure how this is done. The base of my pulpit when viewed from the interior shows the top of the bolt that was used to secure the pulpit to the deck. I do not think I could or should drill a hole into the underside. On the larger Jeanneau's with pulpit nav lights, is the wiring run inside or secured outside the pulpit tubing? Also thinking I should just go with a mast head nav light which would probably be a lot easier and offer more visability. I attached a pic showing the existing set up and the pulpit. ANY advise or feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

[rene460]

Hi J, My experience on lakes where you are generally at closer quarters (i.e. never over the horizon) is that it seems best to keep the lights near deck/pulpit rail level. People just do not look up at the angle to see a mast head. Also, near land the mast head gets lost in surrounding city lights. Mast head is surely meant for the high seas where the big Merchant boys are still looking down on you and even your mast head is seen against the background of water, or hull level may be obscured in wave troughs or under horizon. So I believe it is about where you sail under night conditions.
My little trailerable (7.2 m) had them under the top rail of the pulpit on SS brackets welded there for the purpose. Wire went into the tube through a hole in the side of the tube well sealed with Sikaflex (less than 1 inch showing) down into the hull but the pulpit was on plates with two bolts , not the elegant Jeanneau one bolt design. Inside the tube offers great mechanical protection, but like you I await for ideas on how others do it. The lights on my SO 30i are coming down to near deck level when I get through a few other projects. Make sure that they are not obscured by sails. Sailing in night fleets of up to 650 boats I have seen everything.
rene460

[jcurry]

Thanks Rene, I see what you mean by the masthead getting lost on the horizon. There are cabins around our lake that a lit up and I think the lights on the mast could get lost in the clutter.