Which mast do spreader lights go on?

[Steely Dancer]

We’re redoing the electrical system from scratch on our 1968 Cheoy Lee Offshore 40 yawl. She has no spreader lights, but we’re planning to add some.

This prompted us to ponder a question that perhaps only people with two-masted sailboats might have:

Which mast should the spreader lights go on? The main or the mizzenmast?

[Networker]

Depends where you want the light pointed

[Jim Cate]

My choice would be a strong LED light on the main mast pointing at the foredeck, plus a light(s) on the mizzen pointed down at the aft deck and cockpit area. This arrangement would cover the main areas where additional lighting is most often required.

Jim

[Knotical]

Spreader lights on the mizzen will light up your transom if that’s what you want, otherwise put em on the main mast.

[wingssail]

Spreader lights are not lights required by navigation or boating laws.

They are lights installed to illuminate some part of the boat where people might work or loiter or otherwise wish to see during periods of darkness.

Which parts of your boat do want lighted? Then, how do you best light those parts?

We light the foredeck with a light on the mast.

We light the cockpit with temporary electric lanterns.

[PirateGuy]

Ever since man went down to the sea in ships, this has been a fundamental question for mariners, indeed. Oft times, naval traditions might be counted on to solve this complex problem, but rum, sodomy and the lash have nothing to say on deck lighting. Below decks, it’s a different story.
During Napoleonic times, on Her Majesty’s ketch rigged line of battle ships, the main mast was the one festooned with LED lighting. This had most to do with the desire to limit cable runs from the ship’s house batteries. A carry over from lead acid battery days, the sulphuric acid venting batteries would be kept in the foc’sle, as far away as possible from the officers quarters in the aft of the ship.
By not lighting the mizzen, the intrepid sailors also did not blind the helmsman with excess light during night maneuvers. Directly lighting up the helm will result in loss of night vision.

[Steely Dancer]

PirateGuy, this forum denies us the simplicity of an “upvote” response feature but please know that your superbly written answer would have earned one from me.

Thanks all for your responses.

[MicHughV]

spreader light placement might have an obscure definition or requirement.....but typically you'll find a "steaming light" placed somewhere around the spreader location...
many "steaming lights" also come with a downward facing light for deck work...might be a solution...this would take care of the main mast.....standard spreader lights could then be placed on the mizzen for general deck lighting..

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by PirateGuy

Ever since man went down to the sea in ships, this has been a fundamental question for mariners, indeed. Oft times, naval traditions might be counted on to solve this complex problem, but rum, sodomy and the lash have nothing to say on deck lighting. Below decks, it’s a different story.
During Napoleonic times, on Her Majesty’s ketch rigged line of battle ships, the main mast was the one festooned with LED lighting. This had most to do with the desire to limit cable runs from the ship’s house batteries. A carry over from lead acid battery days, the sulphuric acid venting batteries would be kept in the foc’sle, as far away as possible from the officers quarters in the aft of the ship.
By not lighting the mizzen, the intrepid sailors also did not blind the helmsman with excess light during night maneuvers. Directly lighting up the helm will result in loss of night vision.

Wow, those Napoleonic mariners had LED lighting??
Her Maj had ketch rigged line of battle ships, really?? Apparently with lead acid batteries.

[chasfgr]

Originally Posted by Steely Dancer

We’re redoing the electrical system from scratch on our 1968 Cheoy Lee Offshore 40 yawl. She has no spreader lights, but we’re planning to add some.

This prompted us to ponder a question that perhaps only people with two-masted sailboats might have:

Which mast should the spreader lights go on? The main or the mizzenmast?

On a yawl, you'd put them on the main spreaders to illuminate the deck - unless you want to light up your wake.

[Moontide]

Both, as Jim Cate said.

[Clivevon]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

My choice would be a strong LED light on the main mast pointing at the foredeck, plus a light(s) on the mizzen pointed down at the aft deck and cockpit area. This arrangement would cover the main areas where additional lighting is most often required.

Jim

Good answer

[Stewie12]

Both would be best.

[MoodyS]

Before fitting the "most powerful LED" please consider if you are lighting the boat to show it off in the anchorage or simply to get around safely on deck. In that case you might want to use the minimum you can and thus preserve the night vision of both crew and helmsman.

[rondelais]

On our ketch, we have a deck light as part of the steaming light assembly that does a reasonable job of lighting up the foredeck. We have spreader lights on the main that really light up the entire boat, but not the cockpit very well, mostly due to the interference of the dodger. We also have a deck light just below the radar on the mizzen, which does give some light but does not really cover the cockpit either due to being blocked by the mast. Our mizzen is essentially at the front of the cockpit. I have been thinking of putting a couple of small lights on the mizzen spreaders, mostly to use when grilling or just hanging out in the cockpit after dark. We almost never use the spreader lights on the main because they are huge overkill for most situations. They would be great in an emergency, however - someone overboard, some kind of rig failure, some reason why we really want to be seen, etc. as far as lights go, you can probably get some LEDs a lot cheaper than the ones sold as spreader lights. Maybe headlights for snowplows or similar?