Bow light?

There's a forward facing white light attached to my mast about 6' above the spreaders. The switch on my circuit panel that's supposed to turn it on is labeled "Bow Light". Is that the correct name for this light? This very same light won't come on. I'm hoping it's just a burned out bulb. How the heck do I get up there to find out? Thanks, Matt Cal 3-27

--- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, "mwrohde" <yahoo@...> wrote: > > There's a forward facing white light attached to my mast about 6' > above the spreaders. The switch on my circuit panel that's supposed > to turn it on is labeled "Bow Light". Is that the correct name for > this light? Yes. It could also be called "steaming light" as it is used when under power. Look up the rules of the road light rules. > > This very same light won't come on. I'm hoping it's just a burned out > bulb. How the heck do I get up there to find out? Bosun's chair with a kid in it. What else are kids for ? If that's not it, the wiring probably has a break, maybe at the connector where the mast wires connect. Mike Kennedy Conquest cal 40 # 96 > > Thanks, > > Matt > > > Cal 3-27 >

It's actually a "steaming light", it should be on, along with your navigation lights, if your motoring. First check that there is power to the switch and that a fuse hasn't blown, also check that power is going through the switch in the "on "position. If there is power, next check the wires at the base of the mast (if that's possible). If your getting power there, get a boson's chair and with the help of someone you trust and your best halyard, carefully go up the mast with a new bulb, fine sand paper, a screwdriver (tie a lanyard between you and the screwdriver so that if you drop it, it doesn't hit the person on deck that is holding the halyard that is keeping you up the mast...you see where I'm going with this?) and a test light. Once up the mast you should start breathing again, remove the lens, test the contacts with the test light (and the switch on) if there is power, remove the old bulb, clean the contacts with the sand paper and install the new bulb. Of course if the problem is up top, other options may be partially stepping the mast (depending on the level of difficulty) or finding a nearby marina with a highboy lift and paying someone a few bucks to do it for you. Riggers are about $65 an hour and a good boson's chair is about $50. unless you can borrow one. Glen Fromm Cal 3-34 Moon Shadow ----- Original Message ----- From: mwrohde<mailto:ya… [at] e-rohde.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2006 7:38 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Bow light? There's a forward facing white light attached to my mast about 6' above the spreaders. The switch on my circuit panel that's supposed to turn it on is labeled "Bow Light". Is that the correct name for this light? This very same light won't come on. I'm hoping it's just a burned out bulb. How the heck do I get up there to find out? Thanks, Matt Cal 3-27

glen fromm wrote: > > Once up the mast you should start breathing again, remove the lens, > test the contacts with the test light (and the switch on) if there is > power, remove the old bulb, clean the contacts with the sand paper and > install the new bulb. > There's a contact cleaner called "DeOxit" used in electronic stuff that removes oxidation and prevents it fro recurring. It might be worth applying some of this to the contacts for longer-term function. I've not seen reports on how it works in a marine environment. Chris Campbell

A few items on the bulb. Be prepared to clean out a corroded socket. Have an ohmmeter along for a continuity check wit hswitch off (or do a voltage check with the switch on). Usr the old Timmo lanocote trick for bulb install. Mike meant to say "a reasonably smart kid", however, the kid cannot be so smart as to know not to go up there. Also, I always use bowlines instead of shackles for ties on bosuns chairs, and use a second halyard for a safety when I find someone dumb enough to climb the mast. Cheers Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of mtkennedy1 Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2006 8:43 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Re: Bow light? --- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, "mwrohde" <yahoo@...> wrote: > > There's a forward facing white light attached to my mast about 6' > above the spreaders. The switch on my circuit panel that's supposed > to turn it on is labeled "Bow Light". Is that the correct name for > this light? Yes. It could also be called "steaming light" as it is used when under power. Look up the rules of the road light rules. > > This very same light won't come on. I'm hoping it's just a burned out > bulb. How the heck do I get up there to find out? Bosun's chair with a kid in it. What else are kids for ? If that's not it, the wiring probably has a break, maybe at the connector where the mast wires connect. Mike Kennedy Conquest cal 40 # 96 > > Thanks, > > Matt > > > Cal 3-27 > Yahoo! Groups Links

--- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, "Husar Charlie" <husar_charlie@...> wrote: > > A few items on the bulb. Be prepared to clean out a corroded socket. > Have an ohmmeter along for a continuity check wit hswitch off (or do a > voltage check with the switch on). Usr the old Timmo lanocote trick for > bulb install. Mike meant to say "a reasonably smart kid", however, the > kid cannot be so smart as to know not to go up there. > > Also, I always use bowlines instead of shackles for ties on bosuns > chairs, and use a second halyard for a safety when I find someone dumb > enough to climb the mast. We always kept a football helmet wth the bosun's chair. I've had kids dumb enough to go aloft under way when we had halyard problems. I had hem wear a football helmet when aloft in the chair under way. Shouldn't be necessary in the slip or on the mooring. :) That was to keep them from getting any dumber. I also had a chair with a shackle on the bottom to keep the chair from swinging around. Mike Kennedy Conquest Cal 40 # 96 > > Cheers > Charlie > >

mtkennedy1 wrote: > > That was to > keep them from getting any dumber. > I've been wearing a hat for years and it doesn't seem to have prevented evaporation of knowledge in my case. Chris Campbell

--- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, Chris Campbell <clcampbell@...> wrote: > > mtkennedy1 wrote: > > > > That was to > > keep them from getting any dumber. > > > > > > I've been wearing a hat for years and it doesn't seem to have prevented > evaporation of knowledge in my case. Whacking your skull against the mast 40 feet in the air in rough seas will speed up the process. I've actually got movie film of Davey, Timm Lessley's pal, at the mast head in the chair when the spinnaker shackle opened and we had to round up to avoid sailing over it. That was about 1,000 miles out and he held on for dear life for a few minutes until things settled down. I have read about, but wasn't present for, a roundup in the Bay with Commodore Tompkins at the masthead of a boat he was crewing on. That was about 30 years ago when he and I were both in better shape. I guess he was uncrossing halyards (like Davey was) when they broached and rounded up. I expect the boat comes back up more slowly with a 170 pound crewman at the masthead. Mike Kennedy Conquest Cal 40 # 96 > > Chris Campbell >

I've been experimenting with different helmets since 1984, for sailing. I still have not located a perfect choice, but my latest is a "scooter" shorty helmet, from Taiwan. DOT bump protection, Warm, Waterproof, and floats. Our last race, Winners invitational, I got lots of "funny remarks" for wearing it. During the race, one of the competitors, had two head injuries, from boom smacks, torn scalps... after the race... "hey, let me see that hat of yours." I raced bicycles in the 1970's, and helmets were suggested not mandatory, We didn't wear them, as the braincages were for sissies. After a racer friend died of a head impact, I changed my opinion. Has anyone else come across a dedicated sailing helmet>? I noticed AMRO used something in the Volvo around the world Race. dEmO From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of mtkennedy1 Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 11:34 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Re: Bow light? --- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com <mailto:Cal_Boats%40yahoogroups.com> , Chris Campbell <clcampbell@...> wrote: > > mtkennedy1 wrote: > > > > That was to > > keep them from getting any dumber. > > > > > > I've been wearing a hat for years and it doesn't seem to have prevented > evaporation of knowledge in my case. Whacking your skull against the mast 40 feet in the air in rough seas will speed up the process. I've actually got movie film of Davey, Timm Lessley's pal, at the mast head in the chair when the spinnaker shackle opened and we had to round up to avoid sailing over it. That was about 1,000 miles out and he held on for dear life for a few minutes until things settled down. I have read about, but wasn't present for, a roundup in the Bay with Commodore Tompkins at the masthead of a boat he was crewing on. That was about 30 years ago when he and I were both in better shape. I guess he was uncrossing halyards (like Davey was) when they broached and rounded up. I expect the boat comes back up more slowly with a 170 pound crewman at the masthead. Mike Kennedy Conquest Cal 40 # 96 > > Chris Campbell >

mtkennedy1 wrote: > > > > I have read about, but wasn't present for, a roundup in the Bay with > Commodore Tompkins at the masthead of a boat he was crewing on. That > was about 30 years ago when he and I were both in better shape. I > guess he was uncrossing halyards (like Davey was) when they broached > and rounded up. I expect the boat comes back up more slowly with a 170 > pound crewman at the masthead. > Don't people go to amusement parks on purpose and pay good money to do things like this? Maybe it's just a matter of using the Tom Sawyer principle--gee you can take a ride up my mast for $5, and for another $10, we'll give you a good spin. Meanwhile, I've suddenly realized there are reasons to be grateful that I no longer weigh 170 (figured there must be some). Chris Campbell

ti… [at] ch2m.com wrote: > > > > Our last race, Winners invitational, I got lots of "funny remarks" for > wearing > it. During the race, one of the competitors, had two head injuries, from > boom smacks, torn scalps... after the race... "hey, let me see that > hat of yours." > > I raced bicycles in the 1970's, and helmets were suggested not mandatory, > We didn't wear them, as the braincages were for sissies. > Long ago, my Dad figured out that the iceboat he had built was the ideal vessel for causing head injuries, and he bought a helmet long before they were required. I still use it. In fact, when I wrecked my thumb in a capsize a couple winters back, I seem to recall landing mostly on my head, but that didn't get sprained. Dad was an orthopedic surgeon so he was well aware of the fragility of the human body. I also disdained bike helmets, until I'd been over the handlebars twice. Talk about a slow learner!! Now I wear it with religious fervor. Just for kicks, this past summer I rode the bike three blocks on residential streets to the hardware store, without a helmet. It made me nervous. And having said all that, most of my sailing is in fairly sedate circumstances, and I'm not greatly inclined right now to go to a helmet. Sun exposure and falling overboard are the greater dangers for me. I'm better at covering up from the sun and at wearing the inflatable PFD on the boat. You guys who are in the athletic racing category can wear the helmets. If some fierce racer invites me along, I'll bring the bike helmet. Chris Campbell

Timm, I have to admit I never see them in the wine commercials. We have had a few boom smacked people over the years. Only takes one. I haven't done it, but in some conditions it sure sounds smart. Cheers Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ti… [at] ch2m.com Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 3:48 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Helmets I've been experimenting with different helmets since 1984, for sailing. I still have not located a perfect choice, but my latest is a "scooter" shorty helmet, from Taiwan. DOT bump protection, Warm, Waterproof, and floats. Our last race, Winners invitational, I got lots of "funny remarks" for wearing it. During the race, one of the competitors, had two head injuries, from boom smacks, torn scalps... after the race... "hey, let me see that hat of yours." I raced bicycles in the 1970's, and helmets were suggested not mandatory, We didn't wear them, as the braincages were for sissies. After a racer friend died of a head impact, I changed my opinion. Scooter DOT Shorty Silver<http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-3342088133151_1924_ 14791363> Has anyone else come across a dedicated sailing helmet>? I noticed AMRO used something in the Volvo around the world Race. dEmO From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of mtkennedy1 Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 11:34 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Re: Bow light? --- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com <mailto:Cal_Boats%40yahoogroups.com> , Chris Campbell <clcampbell@...> wrote: > > mtkennedy1 wrote: > > > > That was to > > keep them from getting any dumber. > > > > > > I've been wearing a hat for years and it doesn't seem to have prevented > evaporation of knowledge in my case. Whacking your skull against the mast 40 feet in the air in rough seas will speed up the process. I've actually got movie film of Davey, Timm Lessley's pal, at the mast head in the chair when the spinnaker shackle opened and we had to round up to avoid sailing over it. That was about 1,000 miles out and he held on for dear life for a few minutes until things settled down. I have read about, but wasn't present for, a roundup in the Bay with Commodore Tompkins at the masthead of a boat he was crewing on. That was about 30 years ago when he and I were both in better shape. I guess he was uncrossing halyards (like Davey was) when they broached and rounded up. I expect the boat comes back up more slowly with a 170 pound crewman at the masthead. Mike Kennedy Conquest Cal 40 # 96 > > Chris Campbell >

Thanks for all of your help. It turns out that the person I found that was dumb enough to go up was me. My dad came down to help. He had a climbing harness and he hoisted me up on two halyards. It turned out that a previous mast-climber had cut a wire to the light. All together I was hanging up there about an hour fixing the wiring and replacing the bulb. That, at least, is now working fine. On to the next challenge . . .