I am wondering if any Nonsuch owners have figured out way to illuminate the deck at night while at dock or anchor. An overhead light that would enable us to see the sail in the wishbone, running rigging and the deck, etc for tending or maintenance in the dark could be helpful. I had thought of downlights (as you sometimes see on patio steps) on the cabin sides which might help see the deck, but would not help see the sail or any rigging on and around the mast partner. I continue to refit my 26C for sailing into old age, and making it as simple and safe as possible. Cheers,
The closest I’m aware of to what you’re describing is that some folks have rewired the red-green nav light fitting partway up the mast so they can replace it with a dual-light fixture that combines the nav light with a deck light. This picture shows what it looks like:
The picture is from the Winter 2025 INA Update article, pp. 6-7 (Winter 2025 INA Update) describing features which won Brian Knoll & Jo-Anne Ryan’s N30U On Location the Innovation Award at the 2024 International Rendezvous. The text in the article referring to the picture reads:
I removed the steaming light and attached a teak
block to the lights holes in the mast and re-attached
the light to the teak and then attached a foredeck
light below it. (It recently fell apart due to UV so it
is not visible in the photo as I have not replaced it
yet.)
I haven’t seen this set-up in action, so I can’t advise on how well it’d work for your needs. I can only say that it’s the one approach to the problem that I know of.
Hi Ron. Thank you for this. I think you nailed it for potential. I’m going to look at this concept. If it could be powered from a direct small battery could be an easy installation.
Thanks Bob. I thought if this, as steaming lights with down lights are pretty common, but a down light on the foreside of the mast doesn’t light up most of the deck and topsides. I like Ron’s idea to use the wishbone and LED strips.
How about sitting in the dark, looking up and enjoy the stars, planets, and moon? I can tell you I find nothing more annoying than getting away from city lights than to have a neighbouring boat lit up like a Christmas tree. You could just use a flashlight indescriminltly.
Just a thought.
Don
Don. I enjoy sitting in the dark at anchor and dock, relaxing. If I had to tend to an issue on deck or in the rigging after daylight, I would like to have good lighting. I sail on other boats, with spreaders, and see the benefit of good deck lighting they afford. It is a safety issue for me rigging my 26C for old man single handing.
Cheers,
Greg
If I am at anchor at night, no moon or stars, I use one of those headlamps that strap on. Most have a few settings for strength and beam angle. A few batteries seem to last for years.
Not an easy add at this point but we had the idea of deck lights when we had Aloki built. We took some small Perko 180 degree stern lights with red lamps and turned them facing down. Years later when we painted the hull and coaming , I replaced the original incandescent lamp / housings with new LED versions. We changed from red to warm white in color ( 2700 kelvin)
I like the idea of a strip along the underside of the booms and think either a Small solar panel mounted at the end of the boom or an adequate / boom friendly electric connection at the mast would be fantastic.
Might even be interesting yet confusing / not to color regs in use under sail. I’d use contact cement vs drilling holes as not to compromise any metal.
A simple down facing deck light works fine for me. When trying to see how the sail is set I would think the fact that the mast shadows the bright white light would be an advantage .
I have to agree with Brian - my foredeck light illuminates the sail such that I can see its shape. The light wraps around the mast and aft a few feet when we’re at anchor too. I generally leave the LED foredeck light on at dusk as to light up the deck to incoming traffic.
Whatever solution you choose, you should consider an amber (dark yellow or orange) LED. I’ve used that color for my deck and boom/sail lighting on a few boats and found it advantageous: no confusion with navigation lights or aids and less disruption of night vision.
Came upon these by accident and thought it might be of interest . Solar powered , multiple colors / intensity and ( I believe) auto or remote controlled. Possible temp deck placed and directed lighting or with a dab of silicone a more semi permanent install for a summer season. There were links to other styles , prices and quantity. Cheers , Gary
