Blue Accent Lighting

Dave M · 03-30-2018, 11:29 AM

I have a tree next to shore and I have a spot light on the tree 10-15' up shining directly on my dock stairs. Been like that for 46 years, no complaints, etc. I do live in a cove behind Long Island so there's not that much traffic. It might work anywhere since its not facing out into the water.

Dave M

Hillcountry · 03-30-2018, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave M

I have a tree next to shore and I have a spot light on the tree 10-15' up shining directly on my dock stairs. Been like that for 46 years, no complaints, etc. I do live in a cove behind Long Island so there's not that much traffic. It might work anywhere since its not facing out into the water.

Dave M

Sure...a light up on shore from a mile or two away might appear to be on the water. That said, I’m sure everyone has seen shore lighting from a dark lake and studied it to be sure of what it was...

tis · 03-30-2018, 03:24 PM

Are you sure you can't have lighting on a dock? I thought only colored lights are not allowed?

Descant · 03-30-2018, 04:21 PM

RSA 270-D:7-a Shore Lights. – No person shall display, at any point on the shore visible from the water, any lights that resemble in color or configuration the required navigation lights of any vessel.
Source. 2006, 283:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007.

Barney Bear · 03-30-2018, 05:56 PM

We have had a post light near our dock for years and years and years and......🐻

tis · 03-30-2018, 06:04 PM

Right, descant, but I think that means any colored lights. ????

BroadHopper · 03-31-2018, 06:22 AM

Decades ago there were very little light pollution along the shores at night. The flashing lights markers were clearly visible and night navigation was not a problem. Today it is difficult to see the lights and night navigation is difficult especially on a moonless night. That is why I despise dock lights that are on during the evening. A good reason why MP will not allow collared or blinking lights. Most of the older residents realize this and turn on dock lights only when needed. Not leaving them on all night like many people do. I even seen docks that have lights on a timer so that the dock is illuminated when no one is on the property! What the purpose? Show off?

tis · 03-31-2018, 06:50 AM

We don't have lights on our docks now but when we did, people used to tell us they liked them because they used them as a guide.

upthesaukee · 03-31-2018, 08:42 AM

I pretty much agree with Broadhopper. My pet peeve is the very bright white lights that seem to be focused out toward the lake. Typically these are spotlights, Also, the homes with a large expanse of glass facing the lake, with every room seemingly lit up obscuring both navigational marker lights or Nav lights on boats.

I don't have too much of a problem with solar powered dock post cap lights, or surface mount solar dock lights. Their intensity are usually less than that of the flashers or white all around lights.

For me, it's all about the intensity. When my first mate (Mrs. Upthesaukee) can't pick out the flashers, the ride goes from "happy wife, happy life" to " #@&% those shore lights! Are you sure you know where we are at? ".

Dave

Descant · 03-31-2018, 09:34 AM

I, too, agree with Broadhopper. Light pollution is a problem. My speculation is that in the suburbs to the south, the police recommend lots of light so prowlers etc can be seen. Magazines and landscapers extol the beauty of landscape lighting. None of them have nighttime boat navigation in mind. I will admit that on a foggy night, navigating between Welch and the mainland in either direction , it was nice to see an identifiable light to confirm compass and clock. Although lots of white lights on your dock will probably not be mistaken for a vessel, they do degrade night vision making it harder to see other boats nav lights.

tis · 03-31-2018, 10:07 AM

I agree too. The cap lights on the docks are fine but bright lights are awful. I do believe you cannot have a bright light like a spotlight shining even off the lake. If it bothers your neighbors it's not allowed.

03-30-2018, 05:56 PM	#5
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 962 Thanks: 495 Thanked 273 Times in 174 Posts	Shore White Light We have had a post light near our dock for years and years and years and......🐻

03-31-2018, 06:22 AM	#7
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,576 Thanks: 3,215 Thanked 1,103 Times in 794 Posts	Shore lights Decades ago there were very little light pollution along the shores at night. The flashing lights markers were clearly visible and night navigation was not a problem. Today it is difficult to see the lights and night navigation is difficult especially on a moonless night. That is why I despise dock lights that are on during the evening. A good reason why MP will not allow collared or blinking lights. Most of the older residents realize this and turn on dock lights only when needed. Not leaving them on all night like many people do. I even seen docks that have lights on a timer so that the dock is illuminated when no one is on the property! What the purpose? Show off? __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

03-31-2018, 08:42 AM	#9
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,599 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,459 Thanked 1,981 Times in 1,082 Posts	Light pollution getting worse. I pretty much agree with Broadhopper. My pet peeve is the very bright white lights that seem to be focused out toward the lake. Typically these are spotlights, Also, the homes with a large expanse of glass facing the lake, with every room seemingly lit up obscuring both navigational marker lights or Nav lights on boats. I don't have too much of a problem with solar powered dock post cap lights, or surface mount solar dock lights. Their intensity are usually less than that of the flashers or white all around lights. For me, it's all about the intensity. When my first mate (Mrs. Upthesaukee) can't pick out the flashers, the ride goes from "happy wife, happy life" to " #@&% those shore lights! Are you sure you know where we are at? ". Dave __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

03-30-2018, 11:29 AM	#1
Dave M Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 395 Thanks: 4 Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts	I have a tree next to shore and I have a spot light on the tree 10-15' up shining directly on my dock stairs. Been like that for 46 years, no complaints, etc. I do live in a cove behind Long Island so there's not that much traffic. It might work anywhere since its not facing out into the water. Dave M

03-30-2018, 03:24 PM	#3
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,730 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,457 Times in 1,014 Posts	Are you sure you can't have lighting on a dock? I thought only colored lights are not allowed?

03-30-2018, 04:21 PM	#4
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,361 Thanks: 1,347 Thanked 1,623 Times in 1,055 Posts	RSA 270-D:7-a Shore Lights. – No person shall display, at any point on the shore visible from the water, any lights that resemble in color or configuration the required navigation lights of any vessel. Source. 2006, 283:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007.

03-30-2018, 06:04 PM	#6
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,730 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,457 Times in 1,014 Posts	Right, descant, but I think that means any colored lights. ????

03-31-2018, 06:50 AM	#8
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,730 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,457 Times in 1,014 Posts	We don't have lights on our docks now but when we did, people used to tell us they liked them because they used them as a guide.

03-31-2018, 09:34 AM	#10
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,361 Thanks: 1,347 Thanked 1,623 Times in 1,055 Posts	I, too, agree with Broadhopper. Light pollution is a problem. My speculation is that in the suburbs to the south, the police recommend lots of light so prowlers etc can be seen. Magazines and landscapers extol the beauty of landscape lighting. None of them have nighttime boat navigation in mind. I will admit that on a foggy night, navigating between Welch and the mainland in either direction , it was nice to see an identifiable light to confirm compass and clock. Although lots of white lights on your dock will probably not be mistaken for a vessel, they do degrade night vision making it harder to see other boats nav lights.

03-31-2018, 10:07 AM	#11
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,730 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,457 Times in 1,014 Posts	I agree too. The cap lights on the docks are fine but bright lights are awful. I do believe you cannot have a bright light like a spotlight shining even off the lake. If it bothers your neighbors it's not allowed.