Nav Lights - No A Frame

[thomas]

Sorry if this has been covered before but My 4.5 Valiant has no A frame and I don't have room to put on on, can I put a tri light on a pole attached to the transom and would anyone now where I could get one from, failing that are there any other suggestions.

Thanks

[Jizm]

We used to fit a single pole with a wing to some of the BWMs, Biff (on here)made them, they looked good and some were strong enough to tow from depending on spec.

[Jizm]

another on a smaller boat....

[actions]

Channnel Ribs on here made me a transom pole for a VHF aerial as i have no A Frame either. I'm sure you could find some work around for the lights on this.

Edit - Make sure you have the right distances between lights as stated by Polwart.

[Polwart]

A tricolour isn't appropriate. You are supposed to have an all round white light with the two coloured (port / starboard) lights 1m below them. These can sometimes be mounted on the console. The white can then be on a pole (console, seat back or on transom). I have mine on a removable pole on the console.

[captnjack]

Originally Posted by thomas

Sorry if this has been covered before but My 4.5 Valiant has no A frame and I don't have room to put on on, can I put a tri light on a pole attached to the transom and would anyone now where I could get one from, failing that are there any other suggestions.

Thanks

No you can't put a tri-light on a pole or mast. Not unless you are a sailboat. On a power boat the red and green sidelights are supposed to be in front of and 1m below the all-around white light. (assuming you are <12m in length overall)

[thomas]

Poles look great, I'll pop into see the guy who makes the guard rails at Chichester next time I'm there.

When I said tri I meant an all round white, red and green rather than just a stern light, I know the book says a meter but I often see them closer, though I think it would be neater to have the colours on the console and just the white on a pole.

[Portholme]

I did this and bought the bits from seascrew.com.

Amazing choice of stainless bits

[captnjack]

Originally Posted by thomas

When I said tri I meant an all round white, red and green rather than just a stern light, I know the book says a meter but I often see them closer, though I think it would be neater to have the colours on the console and just the white on a pole.

You cannot use a masthead (or pole) tricolored light on a power vessel. Only sailing vessels <20m in length may use such a light and only while actually under sail. See Colregs rule #25.

So yes, the white should be on a pole and the colored on the sides of the console or mounted on a bracket on the bow. See rule #23

In pictures:
Navigation Lights and Shapes

[9D280]

Just make sure if you put them on the console that the upturn of the bow doesn't block the sight lines.

Other possible issue with all three on a pole at the stern - is that YOU don't block the sight line....... which brings us back to Pol's pole on the console.