Overview

The TACO Marine GS-960 is an electric masthead anchor light for powered vessels up to 39 feet, or 12 meters, that need a 12-volt navigation light with deck-level control. It is rated for the USCG-required 3 nautical mile visibility range and uses four 3-watt Cree LED chips driven by two Mean Well drivers, giving the buyer clear information for electrical planning before installation.

This Grand Slam 960 unit raises and lowers electrically, with push-button operation, an auto-rotating stop feature, and a manual stop option for backup operation. The hidden base wire routes inside the hardtop, so the top surface stays cleaner and there is no under-mount clearance requirement.

The polished stainless-steel body has a mirrored finish, with a Type 316L stainless-steel breakaway pin and a stainless-steel anti-backlash linear screw drive. It is a practical upgrade for hardtops where a fixed masthead light is awkward to reach or where a retractable electric light helps reduce interference when the boat is being stored, covered, trailered, or worked around at the dock.

Key features

• Certified for USCG-required 3 nautical mile visibility on powered vessels up to 39 feet or 12 meters.
• Runs on 12-volt DC for lift and descent, with low current draw of 0.6 amps per light.
• Four 3-watt Cree LED chips with two Mean Well drivers support steady navigation lighting with efficient power use.
• Electric raise and lower operation can be handled from the deck through an On-Off-On control switch.
• Auto-rotating stop and manual stop functions help with positioning and backup operation.
• Polished stainless-steel body, Type 316L stainless-steel breakaway pin, and stainless-steel threaded screw drive suit exposed hardtop installations.
• Electronic Control Module includes a 5A fuse for device protection.
• Hidden base wire installs inside the hardtop, with no under-mount clearance needed.
• Same hole pattern as the GS-950, making it suitable for upgrades from that model where the existing installation matches.
• Meets NMMA and ABYC C-5 5.8 requirements and is NMMA Type Accepted.

Installation and setup

The GS-960 mounts to the top surface and fits all top thicknesses, which helps when working with fiberglass hardtops, tower tops, and other common helm structures. Because the wiring is hidden inside the hardtop and the unit does not need under-mount clearance, it can be a clean fit where space below the mounting area is limited.

The base includes a 6-inch lead of 20-gauge wire, and the unit also uses a 12-inch wire lead with a water-sealed Deutsch connector and 18-gauge wire from the base. The Electronic Control Module uses an industry-standard On-Off-On switch layout and includes a 5A fuse, so installers can plan the circuit around the product's 12-volt DC operation and protection requirements.

Use on board

This light makes the most sense on powered boats where the masthead or anchor light needs to be reachable without climbing onto the hardtop. The electric lift and descent are useful for center consoles, sport fishing boats, and cruising boats that need navigation lighting at night but also want less hardware sticking up when the boat is at the dock or in storage.

The manual operation point on the nylon knob gives the operator a fallback in case of power loss. For owners replacing a GS-950, the matching hole pattern can reduce the amount of rework needed during the upgrade, while the 12-volt requirement, fuse value, and connector details should still be checked against the vessel's existing wiring before installation.

Materials and durability

The polished stainless-steel body gives the visible housing a clean finish for hardtop and tower installations. The Type 316L stainless-steel breakaway pin, stainless-steel screw drive, anti-backlash ball-bearing motor, and Oil-Lite bronze bushings all support repeated lift and descent in a marine environment where vibration, spray, and regular washdowns are part of normal use.

For best service life, the light should be installed with proper wire protection, sealed penetrations, and routine inspection of the moving parts and electrical connections. As with any navigation light, lens cleanliness and unobstructed placement matter as much as the light itself when visibility and compliance are the goal.