The Offshore Voyaging Reference Site

The Ultimate Masthead Light

JHHOMD1-061222

Not a lot more to say, really.

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Danny Blake

Brilliant John
Little things like this amuse me too!

Zaphod

Doesn’t meet the definition of “Masthead Light” as per ColRegs.

Ernie Godshalk

Zaphod beat me to it…that is a lunar “anchor light”, not a “masthead light”.

Gary Green

Is that a kitboarding kite just to the left of the moon? If not, what is it?

ChrisW

Whip Strut to keep the pennant halyard and pennant away from the mast.

Gary Green

Hi, I am currently located in a day sail environment and have not seen a “whip strut” and “pennant” on a halyard in my area. I am currently on Lake Michigan. A short search online and looking through West Marine and Defender did not turn anything up for these items. Could someone provide a little more information on these things? Also, sources for the items would be appreciated too. My wife and I are preparing our boat for cruising and are trying to ensure that we don’t miss anything prior to departing.

Gary Green

Very good explanation and explains why I couldn’t find much information. Thanks for the help.

Dave DeWolfe

I’ve got one too!

richard s. (s/v lakota)

excellent post…catches me just as i am about to raise sail from tortola base marina…plan to visit culebra for first stop even though it’s all on the nose coming back to anegada esp as the tradewinds are seemingly locked into a ne track…just have to wait and see i guess…good excuse maybe to linger at culebra…cheers, richard s. (not in tampa bay for a while)

Justin C

Stop this lunacy at once.

Chris

Can’t imagine Debussy penning Claire de LED

Hans

Wonderful shot, John, i just miss your disclosure this time. So what’s your commission on this light ? Must be heavenly…

Richard Dykiel

You missed the “super” ultimate masthead light.. What… were you sleeping?

Svein Lamark

Hi John, your picture is as usual very beautiful. But I do not like masthead anchor lights because I have several times nearly crashed into large sail yachts with only a masthead light on. The high up light can be by mistake taken for a star. The anchor light should show some of the front of the ship to tell other sailors that it is at anchor. Moonshine can help the sailor in a dark night, but I prefer something older from Scotland.
Svein

Svein Lamark

Hi John, I do agree that sailing in ice is more serious than this photo. How ever I feel that I have to explain myself a little here. As a fan of your photos John, I thought that you had been able to catch the moon in position as an anchor light, not a star as Bryant might think. I still love your photos even if I might interpreted them wrong sometimes.
Svein

Bryant

Dear Svein
If you mistake that one for a star you need to go back to your notes on celestial navigation. Either that or lay off the Aged Scottish Barley juice for a few hours.
John, on a serious note , where can I get me the tricolour version?
Thanks for the beautiful photo
Bryant

Dan

Is that a LED?

How many amp hours does it burn? 😉