Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-23
NOTES
ON.
BOATS
By BOD JONES

The plot rules state that
lights should be carried on q
boat from sunset to sunrise. The
idea Is that navigational lights
are something Of q signal to
other boats. while on a car the
main reason Is to light up the
road. It's q big help in remem-
Ibering the sometimes compli-
Gated rules If this basic applica-
ton is kept in mind.
II you are operating q small
motorboat tclass A to 1-up toI
26 feet), the other fellow viii
Cor should know this by your
combination light UP forward
It will show red from dead ahead
Ito 2 points abaft the port beam,
and green from dead ahead to q
points abaft the starboard beam.
You will also be carrying Q white,
IS2-point light (full visibility from
Iall points Of the compass) aft,
higher than the combination
light at the bow.
- y y
Other Lights
But If what you see out there
in the dark is some other COM
bination Of lights. unless you
recognize their meaning the best
thing to do Is slow down and
look them UP in the pilot book.
However. II what you do see
ahead is the same combination
as your own. you can start max
ing decisions. First, II you see
both red and green lights, i'll
indicates that the boat ahead
is approaching head-on. or close
to it. So you swing to starboard.
the other boat swings to its
starboard and you can pass each
other port-to-port or red-to-red.
II you see only a white light
ahead 1t means you are over
taking another boat and must
keep clear.
When you see q, green light |
over your port side, 1t means
your boats are approaching on
q crossing course. You have the |
right Of way. Like the green Of
q trafic light. the boat that sees
It may go" And since the other
boat sees red on your boat, 1t
means stop" to him.
= -
Double Checking
I always feel more certain of
my judgment with lights II time
is taken to do q bit Of double
checking. There are situations
where the lights may not be
what they SEEM. Boats that are
using side lights instead Of the
combination bow light are sup
posed to have them shielded in q |
light box. But, even so, there
are cases where the reflection |
from the light can show across
the bow. Or, the other boat may
not have seen your light as soon |
as you spotted his.
Memory Game
One system our family has
used TO memorize the rules with |
good results ID the matchbox
game"
We use small matchboxes and
maneuver them around on 81
table top. They are marked
bow" and stern" The red head
of . match serves for the port
light, the other end is marked
with green ink for starboard.
Sailboats are indicated with a
match stuck upright in the box.
Other types Of vessels--freight-
ers. tugboats. etc.-are marked
appropriately, using larger boxes.
- -
QUESTION AND ANSWER
Q. What Is the difference be-
tween polyester resin and epoxy
resin. I've noticed that the latter
costs more, but does that mean
it's better. or can either be used
for the same job?-B. McC.
A. Assuming that you refer to
Fiberglas coating. the polyester
Is commonly used on wooden
hulls. Epoxy is used on certain
hardwoods and metals where
polyester isn't workable.
r. y %&
Of you have any questions
similar to these, mail them to
Bob Jones. care Of The Evening
Star. and well do our best to |
answer them here.)
Copyright, 1857. Superior Features
syndicate. Incl