Anchor lights on small tinnies

[Bazzawookooka]

If you did you'd only be able to use light line ...

[PeterKroll]

I was wondering if a solar garden light could be used for an anchor light on a small tinnie. Appropriately mounted, of course. They do seem to put out a fair bit of light.

[cormorant]

I was wondering if a solar garden light could be used for an anchor light on a small tinnie. Appropriately mounted, of course. They do seem to put out a fair bit of light.

There is a standard for all lights on boats and they are labled as 2 mile etc and a standard number. Buy a decent complying battery operated led one , put it on a broom handle in a rod holder and you won't have any issues. vacume pack a pack of spare batteries in your safety gear pack for that and the torch and you cover the day the battery dies as well.

Garden lights - well nothing lasts around salt water and use one as a deck light if you want but not as a Nav light as it will eventually let you down.

[PeterKroll]

Thanks, cormorant. Good advice. Most lights on small tinnies that I have seen are in a rod holder to one side of the boat. The law says it needs to be on the centre line. I know it makes sense for large boats, but could I get fined for that, or would common sense win out.

[Gon Fishun]

Thanks, cormorant. Good advice. Most lights on small tinnies that I have seen are in a rod holder to one side of the boat. The law says it needs to be on the centre line. I know it makes sense for large boats, but could I get fined for that, or would common sense win out.

And or as near as practical to comes into the equation as well. So rod holder or oar lock would be ok.

[Noelm]

I often wondered why "someone" has not made a decent solar all round white light, it turns on at dark, end of story, there is no common reason to not have your all round white light on after dark ,unless tied to a jetty and a few other relevant rules, but it could be switched off (or left on for that matter) the solar all round white light just comes on at dark (like those garden ones) and in a way, could even be a small a bit of security for when the boat is in the driveway! seems kind of logical to me.

[PeterKroll]

That's a great idea.

[Noelm]

yes, I reckon a good quality one could be made, and would have plenty of reserve power to run all night, when you look at it, a decent all round light is pretty damn expensive for what it is, so a decent solar one could be made by some enterprising manufacturing company. There is I guess the slim chance that your battery could go flat while you are still out fishing, but then, your globe could blow, or your switch/wiring could die just as easy (I think)

[the gecko]

I got pulled up by hervey bay water police and warned for having incorrect anchor light. They write out a ticket, but have zero dolllars on the fine, that way it is on record in the system that youve had one warning, so second time you will be fined. I was told that it only has to be higher than the bimini, there is no actual height requirement.

At 1.52m , there is only one brand that complies;
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....m=290975112902
Needless to say, I bought one.......
Easy to fit, works fine.

cheers
Andrew

[Noelm]

there sure is a height requirement, that being at minimum 1M above the side lights, if (for some reason) you had your side lights (red and green) up high, then the all round white still has to be 1M above them.

[spelchek]

I often wondered why "someone" has not made a decent solar all round white light, it turns on at dark, end of story, there is no common reason to not have your all round white light on after dark ,unless tied to a jetty and a few other relevant rules, but it could be switched off (or left on for that matter) the solar all round white light just comes on at dark (like those garden ones) and in a way, could even be a small a bit of security for when the boat is in the driveway! seems kind of logical to me.

I'm not sure why someone hasn;t either. But I must point out to anyone thinking "hey - a solar garden light... theres a good idea..." - please don't even contemplate it. Boats (mostly permanently moored sailboats) using these litter the Burnett River and in my opinion they are a menace. You just can't se them until you are very close - especially if there are any background/shore lights.

[PeterKroll]

Thanks, Spelchek. That'suseful information. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that other people have already tried it. :-)

[dogsbody]

I use a broken fishin rod bout 5ft, hole drilled in the reel mount n wires run up it. Sits in the rod holder of the tinny.

Dave