Telescopic 360° Anchor Light, 54cm (Flush-Mount Base with Flag Holders) – for Boats up to 12m (12V/10W)

This telescopic anchor light offers exceptional practicality by combining a navigation light and flagpole function. When you need an anchor light, the pole extends up to 54 cm, raising the lamp to a height that makes it visible above cabin tops, biminis, or other structures on your boat. The light is all-round white (360°), fully satisfying the need for night-time anchor lighting or marking a stationary vessel. When the light is not needed, the pole can be easily collapsed down into its base. This is a significant advantage: the deck remains clear and free of tripping hazards – you can walk around, handle lines, or put on a cover without worrying about hitting or damaging the light.

Flush base – design and installation: The base of this unit is designed to be recessed. This means cutting an installation hole in the deck according to the specifications (typically around ⌀20 mm or a specific shaped cutout) and inserting the light’s socket into it. The socket has a flange that sits on the deck surface and is secured with screws, leaving the top of the base almost flush with the deck. Inside this socket are the electrical contacts and the locking mechanism. When the pole is removed, a cap is used to seal the opening – a small hinged lid or rubber plug (supplied) keeps spray and debris out of the socket when the light is not deployed. Lifting the pole is usually done manually by pulling it up; it may have a slight twist-lock action to secure it in the raised position (depending on the model). Often, a spring-loaded pin or twist collar will lock the pole so it doesn’t collapse down under vibration.

Flag eyelets: Along the aluminum pole, one or two eyelets (rings) and a flag cleat are provided. Essentially, this turns the pole into a flag staff – you can attach your national ensign or another flag and hoist it on the stern. By day, when the light is stowed, you could leave the pole partially up or completely removed and use a separate short flagpole; however, many owners appreciate the ability to use the same pole for two purposes. The material and diameter (19 mm) of the pole are standard for small flag halyards, allowing you to secure a flag with ties or through the rings.

Materials and durability: The pole is made of aluminum, which offers light weight and immunity to rust. It is anodized (coated for corrosion and scratch resistance), so it can withstand years of exposure to salt air. The base is built from robust plastic (often nylon or composite) that will not deform or crack under temperature changes. The contacts in the socket are brass or a similar tinned alloy, ensuring good conductivity and minimal corrosion for reliable power connection. The construction is meant for repeated operation: you can raise and lower the light daily without wearing out the mechanism.

Electrical aspect: Since the light itself functions like a standard 360° anchor lamp, its top section contains a 12V/10W white bulb protected by a clear cylindrical lens. When power is applied, the bulb shines in all directions. Power is delivered via the contacts in the base – when the pole is inserted and locked, its two pins meet corresponding spring-loaded contacts in the socket, energizing the bulb. Removing the pole automatically breaks the circuit. The wires from the base connect to your boat’s panel (usually to an “Anchor” or “All-Round” light switch). Importantly: Always switch the power off before inserting or removing the pole to avoid any arcing (some models inherently do this via an internal switch).

Usage and benefits: The telescoping anchor light is especially useful for:

• Small and mid-sized powerboats (5–9 m): They often lack high masts, so the anchor light is mounted at the stern. With this flush design, owners can have a tall light at night and a clean deck by day. For example, on a sport-fishing boat, you can retract the light so it doesn’t interfere with casting or fighting fish. When trailering the boat, the stowed light won’t hit obstacles or require removal – you simply take out the pole.
• Sailboats (8–12 m): Some sailors prefer to use a stern anchor light (instead of or in addition to a masthead anchor light) – for instance, when moored or in a marina, to avoid having to power a masthead lamp. This stow-away light on the stern can serve that purpose, and by day it doesn’t spoil the boat’s appearance. Also, in racing, many yachts remove unnecessary protrusions – here, anything retractable is a plus. The flag holders allow you to hoist a flag on the same pole in the morning.
• Boats with covers or storage constraints: If you keep your boat covered outdoors, protruding lights can be a problem (they might tear the canvas). With a flush anchor light, that issue disappears – just retract the mast and the cover lies smooth. Also, if the boat is stored in a shed or low ceiling, a removable light is easier to handle.

In all these scenarios, the light remains fully functional as a navigation aid. Its visibility is ~1 NM, which meets the rules for vessels <12 m. If the boat is larger (say 12–15 m), this particular light might not be certified as the sole anchor light, but it can serve as an auxiliary signal (or you would use a model with a higher wattage/LED for those cases).

Safety and standards: The product is engineered to comply with COLREG specifications for anchor lights – 360° white, visible all around. An added convenience is that when the light is retracted, it cannot accidentally be left on, since the electrical connection is broken – this prevents overheating under the cap or draining your battery. The extension and retraction action is smooth; it’s advisable to periodically clean the mechanism and apply a light lubricant to ensure it continues to operate flawlessly over time. With proper care, this telescopic light will serve you reliably, providing necessary illumination and convenience in equal measure.