Mast Tricolor / Anchor / Strobe

[Dale Tanski]

I think I inquired about tricolors before, but I have made the decision to go the full Monty and purchase a masthead tricolor w/anchor w/strobe.  I am ready to purchase an Aqua Signal Series 40 # 40806. 

We have a fair amount of freighter traffic and although a strobe is only supposed to be used for emergencies, it sure as heck has got to get someones attention when you flick it on.  We had to alter course big time last season one night when a freighter turned into us.  We were fully lit including steaming light as we were motoring under autopilot.  I suspect however the freighter simply turned on their waypoint and no one was on watch.  We passed with in 150 yards.  The freighter was traveling perpendicular to us outbound after exiting the Welland Canal.  Her red nav light quickly turned to both red and green as she swung nose to nose with us.  As she passed we could make out many details in the moon light but saw no one aboard.  I was however able to read her name and she frequents Buffalo once every two weeks to deliver cement.  A bit of research has yielded she would have ruined our weekend big time had we not altered course as she is 488ft LOA, 56ft wide and has a Capacity of 7,600 tons while drawing 22'-8".

Does anyone have one of these series 40 Aqua Signals aloft?  Happy with it?  Better suggestion?
Thanks...  Dale

[Dale Tanski]

I found the following on the English River previously named the Fort William.  As you can read she already has had a head on collision as well as a host of what I suspect "accidents" from lack of a lookout!  Enjoy...  Dale

Shortly after entering service; early on September 14, 1965, the Fort William capsized and exploded while unloading at the company's dock in Montreal killing 5 sailors with 16 escaping. The capsizing occurred as cargo was being moved to the upper deck at the same time as ballast was being pumped making the vessel unstable. The explosion following the roll over was the result of 300 tons of powdered calcium chloride cargo mixing with the water forming an explosive gas. A salvage contract was awarded to Foundation Maritime Co. on September 30. The freighter was refloated on November 22, 1965 and taken to Davie Shipbuilding for repairs, returning to service in May of 1966.

On August 10, 1967; the Fort William was in a head-on collision with Kinsman's Paul L. Tietjen in lower Lake Huron near the Port Huron Lightship. The latter was holed in the bow with the Fort William receiving only slight damage. Other incidents followed. On December 17, 1977; the vessel went aground in Maumee Bay at Toledo, OH in fog. She was freed with the assistance of local tugs. Also in fog, the freighter hit the Detroit River Light while downbound early on October 1, 1979. Her bow was pushed in by the stone base but not holed. She proceeded to the Port Arthur Shipyards at Thunder Bay for repair. The Detroit River Light, however, sustained an estimated $100,000 in damages.

[jlincoln04078]

Just read February 2010 issue of Practical Sailor in which they test six LED bulbs and lanterns for the masthead. Might be worth reading as part of your decision making process.
John Lincoln

[Dale Tanski]

John,
Thanks, I'll hunt that issue down.
Dale

[Higgins]

Hi Dale,
I have that unit and have no complaints.  I've been told that the strobe can only be used in an emergency in inland waterways and is outright illegal offshore.  Still, I wouldn't hesitate to use it if needed.  It's easier than firing a shot across the bow.  The price is a little outlandish for a piece of plastic and a few bulbs but I guess there's really no surprises there.  I like the tricolor, or more specifically appreciate other boats tricolors, because I can see them over the sea wall and boats underway in the marina are more easily identifiable at night.  I replaced the anchor and tricolor with LED's and the current draw is minimal.  The quick release feature is also nice as you can bring the whole unit down and replace bulbs on deck as opposed to doing it from the chair which I think would be fairly difficult to do.  There may well be some better, less expensive stuff out there but this thing has proven adequate.

[Higgins]

Back on board now... with the LED's, the tricolor draws around 0.1 amps and I'd estimate the anchor draws between 0.05 - 0.08 amps (my ammeter only has 0.1 resolution).

[SailingSeaDragon]

Dale,

I also added the Aqua Signal led light (ouch on the price at the time)... The tricolor is very nice and much easier to see.

I combined the steaming light and deck level nav lights into one switch on the DC panel and use this combination (single switch) when under power and the tricolor when under sail (single switch).

http://www.sailingseadragon.com/Tricolor.htm

Go for it.
Garner

[Dale Tanski]

Thanks guys...
That is what I was looking for especially the discontent regarding the price!
Garner... I like your idea as well. 
As Rich would say - It's only money!
Dale

[BlameItOnBuffett]

Question: What did you wire your compass light to. Initially I made the mistake of wiring it to the nav lights, but discovered I had no compass light when I went to the tri-color (didn't think that one out). Can;t wire it to both, since the current would just flow through and light the opposite light set through the compass light. Finally ended up wiring it to the cabin lights if I remember correctly, as I would always want them at night, regardless of whether I was using the tri-color or the deck nav lights.

[Dale Tanski]

Jim,
I added a water proof Blue Seas rocker panel just under the rear lazeret hatch.  I built a small panel that holds the sub switch panel, an hour meter and the engine shut off cable.  My concept is that any deck device should be controlled from the deck.  So... I have the compass, nav lights, blower, main mast deck light, mizzen deck light, anchor light, steaming light and my windex light on that sub panel. The only problem with that sub panel is that it is not individually lit so I have a small courtesy light under there for night time illumination to lightthe panel.

By the way, I have the Richie SP5 compass and found a red LED to fit that unit no modification necessary.  It is the perfect brightness. 

Good Sailing...   Dale Tanski