Friends in high places
In my last post about electrical repairs I commented that our deck light had ceased to function and would require a bit more troubleshooting. In this case, checking the light required a quick trip up the mast. This is not the first time we have had issues with the deck light. A similar trip up the mast to swap out the light bulb took place back in June 2010. We’ve had a bit more practice with mast-climbing since then so it all went pretty smoothly. In fact, the most difficult part of the entire procedure was trying to remember how the light bulb came out of the fixture.
You can see Pigeon Island, St. Lucia in the background of this pic.
Once back on deck with the bulb we were able to check it and sure enough, it had blown. Now to find a replacement. The bulb in question is actually a tractor headlight bulb, GE number #4411. It can be purchased at most auto-parts stores for less than 10 bucks. But guess what? They also sell it at the marine chandlery here. Can you guess how much they want for it? $48.00 US. Yes, you read that right, $48.00 United States Dollars, not Eastern Caribbean Dollars, which, at the current exchange rate 2.7 of 1, still would have made it expensive. Freakin’ crazy! I actually laughed when the cashier told me that and obviously did not purchase the bulb. The deck light is very non-essential for us and I would wear a headlamp indefinitely before I would pay that kind of money for a light bulb.
Can I get a couple for you here and mail them to you?
There are a couple of places that you can order online… wouldn’t that work for you?
The import issues to receive it doesn’t make that worthwhile. I know I can buy the bulb at an auto parts store when I come across one. Thanks for the offer of sending us one though.
Great video! We are planning on using the same method ourselves. Quick question though – can you tell us what brand of foot ascenders you use? Thanks so much!
Thanks,
Katie and Mark
http://www.ControlledJibe.com
CMI.
Amazon Links:
Right foot (what we use): http://amzn.to/JiRX6e
Left foot: http://amzn.to/HVL7cf
You will also need a climbing harness and something for the Prussic knot. We use an Eye & Eye but some appropriate cord could be used to tie a standard Prussic. Some instruction if you’re not familiar with the process might also be good idea. 🙂
Thanks! We’re adding it to the (already strange) wedding registry of anchors, chain and safety harnesses!
Katie and Mark
http://www.ControlledJibe.com
Awesome!
The Bond film For Your Eyes Only has a scene where 007 makes Prussic knots with his climbing shoe laces, if memory serves. Not really a substitute for competent climbing training though. 😉
Fair Winds, Following Seas, Good Anchoring, and plenty of ice cubes,
RayG
You mean I can’t just watch 007 to learn how to do this? 😉
I need to watch that movie again just to see that scene.
Hi there – we’ve arrived in Grenada a few weeks ago to collect our boat (a Lagoon 410) out of charter. We’ve been trying to get the boat all ready to sail off indefinitely and our many visits to both Budget Marine and Ocean Water World have proven that the chandleries down here are ALL too expensive!
It makes us regret not buying so many things when we were up in Toronto last month, before heading south. Next trip we’ll come back with suitcases full of lightbulbs and other hardware store items!
Hi Holli
If there are any big-ticket items that you need to acquire you can frequently get them shipped in to Grenada for much less than you could buy them there for. Vessels in Transit can import for 3% duty I think. Also, there is a service called Wholesale Boat Parts which can act as a go-between to get you reduced prices on big items AND shipping. Let me know if you’d like me to dig up their contact info.
Holli, Bill Dietrich on Magnolia is in Grenada in Mount Hartman Bay, and he knows the Lady Mike speaks of. I suspect his is net controller most mornings still. Also Ken and Lynn are on Silverheels III and are a good contact to have.
I found the card:
Wholesale Yacht Parts
Sherri Roopchand
sherri AT wholesaleyachtparts DOTT com
473 – 458 – 6306
We have not dealt with her specifically but have friends who have and they were quite pleased with the savings.
FYI, the net controller in Grenada changes each day, or at least it did last season when we were there. If she is in Grenada I have no doubt she either knows or has heard of Ken and Lynn. 🙂
Sherri!
Sounds like Lynn is having a really good time learning about dive shops and becoming a divemaster. It is on my bucket list kind of at the top, so I can do some divemaster work here and there while sailing the islands.
Bill’s Net Controller spoof is pretty funny..
http://www.billdietrich.me/CruisersNet.html
Hey Mike, does the knot do the same thing as this rig? http://www.amazon.com/Petzl-Ascension-Ascender/dp/B000EOP0GQ/ref=pd_sim_sg_2
Yes, exactly. There are several combinations of gear that you can use to go up line: Two ascenders (foot and harness), 1 ascender and one Prussic knot (we use a foot ascender and a Prussic to the harness but I suppose you could rig it the other way) or dual Prussic knots (one for the foot/feet and one for the harness). The knots and the ascenders work the same way: they bite when loaded and slide when unloaded. I prefer the simplicity of the knot.
For more complexity than Prussic knots try: http://onrope1.com/store/index.php?p=product&id=100&parent=18
“The Double Bungie Ropewalker is the fastest and most efficient rope climbing system in the world.” @ $336 it ought to be.
Click on the diagram of the system it might be interesting to you.
“Ascenders do not have to be manually advanced, making this climbing system perfect for long drops, allowing the user to be “hands free” while climbing”
More for caving or possibly a rigger climbing multiple masts a day, but you might find it interesting.
Fair Winds, Following Seas, Good Anchoring, and plenty of ice cubes,
RayG
Interesting. Definitely overkill for our purposes though. By the way, I asked the rigger who installed our SSB insulator back in the Chesapeake how he typically goes up the mast. He said he just climbs it, as in shimmies up it like a tree. He did not do that in our case, as we had just disconnected a shroud, but I could see him doing it.
Hi Mike May I make a suggestion? that perhaps a disc of suitable material be cut to replace the bulb and fitted in the Ali lamp housing, and then perhaps as many High Lumen leds as needed (can be) are fitted to this to replace the light source. I am guessing that it won`t cost more than the fourty plus $ you have been quoted and won`t need replacing anywhere near as often and also wont drain your batteries at the same rate, by a considerable amount
? JMHO
I was going to suggest something like that myself. Unfortunately a suitable one is in the $500-$600 price range. I did find a sealed waterproof 40 LED bar that I use, but at 10 watts, it gives a really good overall glow, not flood.
LOL @ spending that kind of money on a light which is not required by law or for safety. Like I said, headlamp.
Its a shame to dismiss it out of hand, as led G8 bulbs can be purchase in boxes of 12 for £40 UK and I`m sure easily inserted into a single plate and waterpoofed with polycarbonate and mastic, JMHO!
I was dismissing the 500.00 to 600.00 price, not the concept of making a replacement, Rob. It is a good idea. Thanks.
An LED replacement would be nice. I’m surprised that I haven’t seen a direct commercial replacement for that bulb as those deck lights are quite common. Fortunately this is NOT an important piece of kit on our boat. We seldom if ever use it.
You for got to consult the Oracle :B
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&ds=pr&pq=tractor+headlight+bulb+4411+led&cp=9&gs_id=1y&xhr=t&q=LED++4411&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&bs=1&wrapid=tljp1334971610607222&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17262061286746156953&sa=X&ei=JA2ST6_CDuSf6QHatcXADg&sqi=2&ved=0CE8Q8wIwAQ#
$75
You are right, I did! Nice find!