[discokachina]

I have noticed large and very tall forward masts

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hestonb...n/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hestonb...n/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hestonb...n/photostream/

on some motor yachts that seem out of place to me. Is there a technical reason for motor yachts to have such large and/or tall forward masts? Or are they there only as a design feature?

[K1W1]

Hi,

On most it is to position the Forward Navigational and Anchor Lights, some have it combined with a crane for the foredeck and some use it as a design feature.

It should be born in mind that the watchkeepers have to look past these objects so large or shiny ones can produce problems for the watchkeepers.

[Rene GER]

Is it not a must have for 50m+ Vessels? I read about it some years ago, but I can be wrong.

[d_meister]

Navigation Rules/ Colregs require:
(a) A power driven vessel underway shall exhibit:

(i) a masthead light forward;

(ii) a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one; except that a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so;

The height of the mast allows the light to be above the watch standers field of vision and prevents illumination of the bulwarks. The higher and lower masthead lights enable another vessel to identify the vessels heading, as range lights.

[AMG]

As said, any boat can have the two lights, but above 50 m it is a must. However, many yachts, especially those just above 50 meters have a folding mast that they can remove in port or if they know they are just "daycruising".

[C4ENG]

Originally Posted by AMG

those just above 50 meters have a folding mast that they can remove in port or if they know they are just "daycruising".

Yes,,, then that stupid worthless folding telescopic mast can and more than likely will leak in heavy seas sending fwd bilge alarms at like 2 am to make the engineers lives more fun and exciting for the navigational safety of an extra light bulb on the boat!

[FISHTIGUA]

On a 65m yacht I sailed around the world on, we had a telescopic foremast with lights on. It was such a hassle to erect it only got used twice in 4 years. These new designs are so much better and make a feature of the bow, the first part of a yacht anyone looks at.

[AMG]

One reason to have folding masts is that the fore deck can be used for helicopter landing or as an emergency pickup area.

On the Triple Bling design I made a sculptural mast to free up the space...

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by FISHTIGUA

It was such a hassle to erect it only got used twice in 4 years.

Hi,

I suppose you made more than 2 passages after dark during that time.

It was recently suggested I made PD a friend on FB I might start by asking him about that sort of behaviour.

[discokachina]

Yes, a "designed" mast such as on Triple Bling looks like it is a well thought out part of an overall concept that adds to the beauty of the whole yacht.

Much better than taking a pole, sticking it on the front of the vessel and painting it black to try and hide it, which may aid the crew, but does not add to the asthetic of an otherwise appealing design
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hestonb...57623265390796

[FISHTIGUA]

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

I suppose you made more than 2 passages after dark during that time.

It was recently suggested I made PD a friend on FB I might start by asking him about that sort of behaviour.

Coming to the entrance of Singapore with all the decklights on, you'ed have thought the 9 other tankers may have seen us. Nope.

The other tankers obviously needed a bigger one.

[NYCAP123]

Originally Posted by FISHTIGUA

Coming to the entrance of Singapore with all the decklights on, you'ed have thought the 9 other tankers may have seen us. Nope.

The other tankers obviously needed a bigger one.

Tankers vs private yacht? I'm guessing they saw you, but didn't care.

[Old Phart]

Originally Posted by AMG

One reason to have folding masts is that the fore deck can be used for helicopter landing or as an emergency pickup area.

On the Triple Bling design I made a sculptural mast to free up the space...

Call me crazy; but I'm not too crazy about the forward radar location.

[nilo]

well, i cannot specifically comment for this design; but most of the very large commercial cruise ships or container carriers have a radar in the forward position. this is due to the fact that they want to be able to see the immediate vicinity in front of the bow..

[AMG]

Originally Posted by Old Phart

Call me crazy; but I'm not too crazy about the forward radar location.

On a 140 m (460 feet) yacht like this, you sometimes would like to have a close range radar in addition to the two main radars (working on different bands). The beam is not affecting any people behind the radar.