TACO Marine Grand Slam 960 Electric Masthead Anchor Light, For Powered Vessels up to 39 ft, 12V, LED, USCG 3 nm

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.

Orders are processed within 2 business days, which includes verification, packing, and dispatch. Orders of $100 or more qualify for free shipping when eligible. For orders under $100, shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on destination, package weight, and selected service. International shipping is available for eligible products, and certain items may require additional handling, warehouse transfers, or may ship directly from the manufacturer, which can affect processing time.

Deliveries are handled by preferred carriers such as USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and others depending on your location and selected service. Estimated delivery times are displayed at checkout and may vary due to customs processing, carrier delays, weather, postal disruptions, or other circumstances beyond our control. Once your order ships, you'll receive a confirmation email with tracking information. Tracking may take up to 24 hours to update on the carrier's website and is also available through your account when applicable.

We ship throughout the United States and to most international destinations for products eligible for international shipping. International orders may be subject to customs duties, taxes, brokerage charges, or other import fees, which are the customer's responsibility and are not included in the product or shipping price. PO Boxes are accepted only when shipping through USPS, and not all packages qualify for this option. If your order does not arrive within the estimated delivery window, please contact us at info@apollolighting.com or +1 (954) 375-0100 so we can assist with locating your package.

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Returns may be requested within 30 days of receiving your order. Items must be unused, uninstalled, unaltered, and returned in their original packaging with all tags, packing materials, blank warranty cards, manuals, instructions, accessories, and included items. Certain products, including installed or used electronics, electrical components, lighting, consumables, custom or special-order items, cut-to-length products, safety equipment, and merchandise exposed to water or marine conditions, may not be eligible for return.

To request a return, sign in to your account and select the applicable order and items, and submit your request for review. Eligible unfulfilled items may also be submitted for cancellation within 1 hour of placing the order. Returns or cancellations are not considered approved until you receive confirmation from Apollo Lighting. Please do not ship or drop off merchandise before receiving return approval and instructions.

Customers are responsible for arranging and paying for return shipping unless the return is due to an error by Apollo Lighting or the item is verified as defective, damaged, or incorrect. Missing, damaged, defective, or incorrect items must be reported within 2 business days of delivery, and photos or other documentation may be required for review. If the issue is verified, Apollo Lighting may provide or reimburse return shipping and issue a replacement or refund depending on the circumstances. International customers are responsible for return shipping, duties, taxes, customs charges, brokerage fees, and other costs associated with an international return.

After your return is received and inspected, approved refunds are issued to the original payment method and may take 5-7 business days to appear after processing. Original shipping and handling charges are nonrefundable, and the value of any included free items that are not returned may be deducted from the refund. Apollo Lighting does not charge a standard restocking fee on eligible returns. Returns that are incomplete, damaged, installed, used, altered, improperly packaged, or otherwise do not meet the eligibility requirements may be refused. We recommend using a trackable and appropriately insured shipping service for all customer-arranged returns.

For assistance, contact info@apollolighting.com or call +1 (954) 375-0100.

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Many products sold by Apollo Lighting include a manufacturer's warranty covering defects in materials or workmanship. Warranty terms vary by brand, product category, and model, so eligibility, coverage duration, exclusions, and available remedies are determined by the applicable manufacturer. We recommend reviewing the warranty information provided with your product before installation or use, especially for marine electronics, navigation equipment, lighting, electrical systems, pumps, safety equipment, and other specialized marine products.

If you need warranty service, the claim must follow the process established by the manufacturer, authorized service center, or designated warranty provider. You may be asked for proof of purchase, a serial number, product registration, photos, maintenance or installation records, or other documentation. Apollo Lighting does not determine or modify a manufacturer's warranty coverage or final claim decision, but we are happy to help provide purchase information and direct you to the appropriate manufacturer or warranty resource.

Keep your receipt, product documentation, serial number information, and original packaging when practical. Damage caused by normal wear, misuse, improper installation, insufficient maintenance, corrosion, impact, unauthorized modifications, electrical issues, or operation outside the manufacturer's specifications may not be covered. Warranty claims are separate from standard returns, so a product that has been installed, used, or exposed to marine conditions may no longer qualify for return while still remaining eligible for evaluation under the manufacturer's applicable warranty.

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