Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M600

The Best Lopolight Navigation Lights for Sailboats from 12 to 20 Meters

by Aleix Escorsell 15 Dec 2022 09:00 PST
The Best Lopolight Navigation Lights for Sailboats from 12 to 20 Meters © Lopolight

We have previously discussed the best navigation lights set up for sailboats under 12 metres. In this article we look at the ideal light configuration for sailing yachts between 12 - 20m (40ft - 65ft) in length, referencing products from the Lopolight LED navigation light range.

Designed to be fitted and forgotten, Lopolight's LED navigation lights are durable, reliable and have very low power consumption, which enables them to last longer than conventional sailing lights. The complete Lopolight navigation light range complies with the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) and proudly carries the type-approval "Wheelmark" which signifies adherence to strict quality standards.

All lights are available in either silver, black or a white finish and come with a range of mounting options.They have a huge collection of individual and combination lights for applications on boats large and small.

The COLREGS for boats from 12-20m

The primary rules for sailing navigation lights are contained in Rules 22, 23, 25 and 30 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). The following is a simplification of the full rules to cover sailing vessels between 12-20m:

  • 22 - Visibility of lights: The minimum range of the steaming light should be 3 miles; all other lights can be 2 miles.
  • 23 - Power driven vessels over 12m must have a forward-facing steaming light plus sidelights and a stern light below the level of the steaming light.
  • 25 - Sailing vessels Underway shall exhibit sidelights (red/green) as either a combined or as separate lights, and a white stern light.
  • 30 - Anchored Vessels under 50m shall exhibit an all-round white light

That is the basic set of regulations for a boat of 12-20m in length.

Lights recommendation

We will detail here the 4-5 lights that are needed for a sailboat that cover sailing, motoring, and anchoring for a sailboat between 12 - 20m.

Combined Tricolor and Anchor Light - Lopolight 2nm Tricolor, Anchor

The Best Lopolight Navigation Lights for Sailboats from 12 to 20 Meters - photo © Lopolight

The 2nm Tricolor is the only light you need to have active when sailing at night. This light sits at the top of the masthead and features stern, port and starboard lights, visible up to 2nm. When anchoring, the white 360 light, contained in the same unit, can be used.

If your sailboat does not have a motor, this is the only light unit that you will need!

This combined Tricolour and Anchor light unit is available in various versions including a Windex light, or a strobe function on the all-round white light.

Steaming Light - Lopolight 3nm Masthead

The Best Lopolight Navigation Lights for Sailboats from 12 to 20 Meters - photo © Lopolight

The term 'Masthead' can cause some confusion as this light does not actually need to be situated on the masthead. It is a forward-facing (225-degree Arc) white light required on a sailboat when it is under power - which we prefer to call the steaming light. It is normally mounted on the forward face of the mast at the first or second spreaders and is often combined with a downward facing foredeck light.

The term 'Masthead' reflects the fact that the COLREGS requires this light needs to be situated above the stern and sidelights. However, it is the Tricolour and 360-degree anchor lights which are actually mounted on the masthead.

The COLREGS state that the steaming light, on a vessel between 12m - 20m must have a range of at least 3nm, therefore the Lopolight 3nm Masthead light is a great choice.

Stern Light - Lopolight 2nm stern

The Best Lopolight Navigation Lights for Sailboats from 12 to 20 Meters - photo © Lopolight

The stern light has an arc of 135 degrees and is used when a sailing vessel is motoring. The Tricolour provides a stern light when sailing but under motor, the stern light needs to be below the steaming light and is usually located on the stern at deck level.

Sidelights - Lopolight 2nm Combined Sidelights

The Best Lopolight Navigation Lights for Sailboats from 12 to 20 Meters - photo © Lopolight

The 2nm Combined sidelights need to be mounted on the centreline of the boat and are often mounted on the pulpit. For boats without a central point to locate a combined sidelight, the Lopolight 2nm Port and 2nm starboard lights are the equivalent alternative solution.

These are often located at deck level but can be at any level as long as they are below the steaming light.

Light combinations

There are three primary different light configurations for a sailing vessel and you use the following light combinations:

  • Under Sail : Tricolour only - which provides side lights and stern light
  • Under Power : Requires Steaming light up on the mast and then stern and sidelights at deck level
  • At Anchor : Requires the single 360-degree white light mounted at the masthead

Summary

There are many different possible setups for your navigation lights, but for boats between 12-20m, this is a legal and safe configuration.

If you have any questions about COLREGS or Lopolight products, please feel free to contact us by email at support@upffront.com, or click below to see our full range of navigation lights:

Related Articles

New Online BoatUS Foundation Course
Taking on Biggest Cause of Accidents: Distracted Boating A quick look at the annual U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating accident statistics shows “operator inattention” and “improper lookout” to be perennial placeholders in the top five primary contributing factors in boating accidents. Posted today at 4:30 pm
VISIONF Yachts unveils Superfast 46
A new speedboat with 80 knots max speed VISIONF Yachts, renowned for its cutting-edge luxury power catamarans, has revealed the latest jewel in its performance portfolio — the VISIONF Superfast 46, a 14-meter, high-speed masterpiece capable of reaching a staggering 80 knots. Posted on 7 Jul
Inside Maritimo Newsletter - Take a Virtual Tour
Experience the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design that define Maritimo Take a moment to indulge in our immersive virtual tours, available through the form link below. Experience the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design that define Maritimo, all from the comfort of your own home. Posted on 4 Jul
Baglietto launch first DOM115 Superyacht
A 35-meter masterpiece by Stefano Vafiadis with interiors by Baglietto design team The first unit of the DOM115, the entry-level model of the line designed by Stefano Vafiadis, was officially launched in recent days. Posted on 3 Jul
Grand Trawler 63
A new benchmark in elegant voyaging With the launch of the Grand Trawler 63, BENETEAU sets a new benchmark in long-distance luxury cruising. Posted on 3 Jul
Palm Beach GT60 Jet Drive
A head-turning vision that sets a new standard in customization It's a question often asked by outsiders looking at Palm Beach Motor Yacht's vibrant new product introductions and development pipeline: What was the genesis for this particular design? Posted on 2 Jul
The new Beneteau Swift Trawler 37
The latest family cruiser from the world's leading marine brand The eye-catching new arrival in the fleet of BENETEAU's modern passagemakers is the Swift Trawler 37. The latest family cruiser from the world's leading marine brand replaces the Swift Trawler 35, balancing enhanced design and comfort on board. Posted on 2 Jul
Marine Auctions: Special July Online Auction
The bidding will end on Tuesday 22 July at 2pm AEST The alternative way of selling any type of vessel or marine asset with proven and successful results. Posted on 2 Jul
One thing. One big, very fast boat
One thing that opened the door, another made us enquire some more - 50 knots! Yes. It was one thing that opened the door, as it were. One thing that piqued the curiosity enough to go, ‘I'll take a look at that!' One thing that when you're trying to crack in excess of 50 knots... Posted on 30 Jun
Baglietto and Meyer Davis unveil concept Vesta56
A 56m superyacht collaboration Baglietto, the Italian shipyard with over 170 years of heritage and excellence, along with Meyer Davis, the multi-disciplinary design studio, announce a new creative partnership. Posted on 29 Jun
Maritimo M75Palm Beach Motor Yachts