Image © Axxon, via Mantagua
Lighter, faster and safer sailing is our mantra. Thus, we’re excited to launch our new product category - Navigation Lights – on Upffront.com, to keep you safe at sea.
Wheelmark Certified
To be approved for use at sea, there are strict regulations that navigation lights must adhere to and passing these is no mean feat.
The NAVIPRO range from French manufacturer Mantagua - the first brand in our Navigation Lights category - has been extensively tested throughout Europe, securing the ‘wheelmark’ symbol of approval, marking compliance with vital maritime laws COLREGS (1972) and SOLAS (1974).
As a result, the NAVIPRO lights are certified for legal use across the whole world and are of the highest quality, having been the preferred light onboard many boats in the recent Vendée Globe.
To achieve the wheelmark certification, navigation lights must be visible for a minimum number of nautical miles. This number correlates with the size of your sailboat. For example, 1-2 nautical miles for boats up to 12m, and 2-3 nautical miles for boats up to 20m.
Additionally, the wheelmark certification requires colour and light beam angle to follow strict rules, dependant on application. These rules are as follows: Stern – White, 135°; Port – Green, 112.5°; Starboard – Red, 112.5°; Masthead – White, 225°; Anchor – White, 360°; Towing – Yellow, 135°; All Round Red – Red, 360°; All Round Green – Green, 360°.
Below is a useful chart from Mantagua to determine which lights are needed on your sailboat.
The NAVIPRO Range
We have a large selection of Mantagua's NAVIPRO lights online, including single lights and combination lights.
Combination lights can offer distinct advantages over single lights. In addition to the cost
saving, combination lights reduce power consumption and take up less space, for example, on top of the mast. Wiring is an additional benefit: one unit requires one wire going to the lighting control panel, rather than 4 individual wires.
A more detailed description of the range and how to choose the right navigation lights for your boat will follow in a subsequent blog.
NAVIPRO Advantages
In addition to their high quality and wheelmark certification, Mantagua’s NAVIPRO range offers several advantages.
- Compact and Lightweight
Designed in Brittany and made in France, Mantagua’s LED NAVIPRO lights are compact and lightweight in design, with the LEDs encased behind translucent glass (not resin) to achieve the required beam for the wheelmark certification.
- Low Power Consumption
Suitable for boats with a 12V or 24V electrical supply, the NAVIPRO range benefits from low power consumption and so does not require large diameter wiring. - Waterproof & Dustproof
All NAVIPRO lights have a waterproof rating of IP67, meaning they can last 30 minutes under 1 metre of water and are therefore protected from water ingress. - VF and AIS System Compliant
European Directive 2014/90/EU compliant, the LED electronic components will not interfere with radio emissions if placed close to VHF or AIS antennas. - UV Resistant
The materials used in manufacture are protective against long-term exposure to UV damage. - Long Lasting Service Life
Each NAVIPRO light benefits from an incredible 45000-hour service life before the unit needs replacing - this equates to over five years of continuous 24 hour use. - Day & Night Detection
An extra feature available on some models of the anchor light, Day & Night Detection measures light intensity every 15 minutes, automatically switching the anchor light on at night and turning it off in the morning, saving battery consumption. - Quick and Easy Installation
Quick and easy to install, as demonstrated in this video from Mantagua.
You can view the NAVIPRO range online here or if you have any questions or would like to talk to us about navigation lights, then please do not hesitate to contact us at support@upffront.com or by clicking our electronics enquiry link below.
