JeffM Posted January 21, 2006 Posted January 21, 2006 Charlie, your kerosene anchor light is a great idea. After my last unintentional night-time sail, I am vowing to get a removeable nav light (uses LEDs + 4 AA cells, from Duckworks), but I want an anchor light that will go all night without worries about battery life. I'll bet I can hang a Dietz lantern from my mizzen staysl halyard. I notice the different Dietz lanterns vary in candlepower. Do you recall the type you have? (The one with 5/8" wicks seem to run 4-8 candlepower, while the 7/8" wicks seem to run 14-18 candlepower.) Quote
Charlie Jones Posted January 21, 2006 Posted January 21, 2006 Jeff- damned if I know- it's on the boat. It's a blue steel one I bought at the local "real" hardware store for 16 bucks. I have a ring of that plastic strip that is used to cover fiberglass edges round the bottom so it won't leave a rust ring. It's stayed burning through 50 knot winds, so I'm happy with it. Here's what it looks like- It hangs from the jib halyard with a line running to the pulpit and a bungee leading aft to a mast cleat. Quote
Greg Luckett Posted January 21, 2006 Posted January 21, 2006 Charlie, I like the idea of using a kerosene latern. How does it do when the wind picks up? I have one of those cheap ones they sell at the hardware stores now...made in China. It works ok but not as well as the old railroad laterns my father had. Thanks. Quote
Charlie Jones Posted January 21, 2006 Posted January 21, 2006 Greg- has I said above- it's kept burning through 50 knots of wind. In one of the Pardey books is an idea for adding a second chimney inside which makes it totally windproof. I've looked at the idea and will probably do it one day, but for now what we have works well. Of course, IF I had my druthers I'd have one of those fancy brass anchor lanterns that sell for somewhat over 100 bucks. Any body wanna buy me one for my birthday? Quote
Charlie Jones Posted January 22, 2006 Posted January 22, 2006 Ten days from today- my big one- I'll be 65 on the 31st. And my lovely bride will have a B'day 4 days later on the 4th of Feb. She will NOT be 65 Quote
Greg Luckett Posted January 22, 2006 Posted January 22, 2006 Ten days from today- my big one- I'll be 65 on the 31st. And my lovely bride will have a B'day 4 days later on the 4th of Feb. She will NOT be 65 I am truly surprised :shock: Charlie. You look and act like a 50 year old. Living on Matagorda Bay must be good for a person Quote
Charlie Jones Posted January 22, 2006 Posted January 22, 2006 lol Thanks man. But nope- Living with Laura keeps me young. Living on Matagorda Bay doesn't hurt either, but she's the real ticket. Quote
Greg Luckett Posted January 22, 2006 Posted January 22, 2006 Yep, she really is a beautiful, multifaceted, lady and artist. I can see how she keeps Charlie young . Quote
Joe Nelson CS#35 Posted January 22, 2006 Posted January 22, 2006 Speaking of beautiful brides...Mine got me a real Haan anchor lamp for my birthday. Since the large size (its huge) was only a few dollars more, she got the big one. It is really too big for boats like ours. They are expensive, but as a piece of art in your home...not so bad. They are close to $200. I am done gloating now...the real reason I am writing is to let you know that you can get an actual dietz anchor lamp for $42. I might order one for use on my boat. http://www.y2klanterns.com/html/varieties.html Quote
Greg Luckett Posted January 22, 2006 Posted January 22, 2006 Joe, I looked at that link (thanks too) but those lamps, while pretty, don't seem to be intended for real, anchor lamp, use. Am I correct? Thanks again Quote
Joe Nelson CS#35 Posted January 22, 2006 Posted January 22, 2006 Is the one Charlie using really for use as an anchor lamp? LOL. Technically, USCG does not approve any non-electic lamps for anchoring. Even my Hann lamp from the Netherlands had a tag that said "not USCG approved". That light puts out so much that it hurts your eyes to look at it from anything less than 50'. The lens is like that of a lighthouse. Does not light an area worth a darn...but it is visible from a loooooooooooooooong way off. I'll let you know...I just ordered one and a miners light, so I get a free small table lamp too. I will give the miners light to my bride. Quote
Greg Luckett Posted January 22, 2006 Posted January 22, 2006 Joe, What I meant is that they are advertised as replicas. My prior experience is that "replicas" are usually made in an inferior way to the original and only look like the original from a distance. Replicas are often not functional to the same extent as the originals due to shoddy construction. I was not referring to the USCG current standards. I doubt they remember what an oil lamp for nav use is, especially since most of them are kids that were born after 8 track tapes went away . I hope that these are close to the real McCoy as I like their looks. Please do let us know what you think when you get yours. Incidently, Charlie's uses kerosene doesn't it? Thanks, Greg. Quote
Charlie Jones Posted January 22, 2006 Posted January 22, 2006 Yep- mine uses kerosene. But we never burn kerosene in any of our stoves or lamps. I always use 100% mineral spirits, and have for over 30 years now. The kerosene being refined today doesn't hold a candle (pun intended) to what was refined when I was a kid and many USED kerosene stoves and lamps. Todays stuff is a sick urine yellow color and burns with fumes that we find unacceptable. Mineral spirits burns clean, we find we get no fumes, the stoves don't need the burners cleaned as often and usually it's a bit cheaper than kero. First pic- our antique Burmos, mounted in a Seacook gimballed stove mount in place of the original propane burner. The Burmos is a British made, pre world war II kero stove. Second pic the Vulcano stove I bought new in 1972 and still own. We have scrounged the burner from it however, to run our back up Optimus kero stove. I don't use propane aboard and won't as long as I can keep my kero stoves burning. Then I'll be forced to go to propane, but I hope the kero stuff outlasts me. Alcohol isn't even an option for long term use. Not enough heat and too costly for day to day use over a long cruise. Quote
JeffM Posted January 23, 2006 Posted January 23, 2006 Charlie, that Burmos looks uncannily like the East German-made Bat stove I used as a spare burner when I was a Peace Corp volunteer in Samoa in the 80's. I loved that stove but finally gave up trying to jerry gaskets that would keep it from losing pressure. Now I throw a Coleman gasoline 2-burner stove on the cockpit seat. Quote
Greg Luckett Posted January 31, 2006 Posted January 31, 2006 Ten days from today- my big one- I'll be 65 on the 31st. And my lovely bride will have a B'day 4 days later on the 4th of Feb. She will NOT be 65 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Edith and I and the boys hope you will have a great day! Quote
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