LED Bow Navigation Lights

[Broskee]

So I have been researching these Bow LED navigation lights, and a bunch of companies sell them. I have been contemplating on when I get my boat to invest in something like this if my state has USCG approved it and or is it worth getting all together? Let me know what you guys think.

[jprism]

I also have Interest in these.


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[West6550]

I am interested as well however I read they were not USCG approved a few places so I didn't get any.

[Dark3]

Im sure you guys will be fine. You need to be able to see them from in front and from aft down the side of the boat. I did some in my g3 that I made out of LED Bolts one red and one green and they looked really good. I did a whole thread on the build on tin boats


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[Dark3]

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[West6550]

I'm sure it will be okay but no reason to put them on if they aren't regulation.

Straight from Bluewater LED website:

"They are not a coast guard approved stamped product. Many state enforcement agencies are very fond of our kit. On navigable waters you should always use your CG stamped nav light pole. Check local regulations before use."

[Dark3]

I know laws should be followed but I think If you a smart responsible person, fully understand the intent of the lights aswell as the reasoning for the placement standards, then you will sleep good at night knowing your lights are more functional than the minimum standard and at most risk at ticket that you 99.99% odds will not recieve


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[Broskee]

This is true I do not think you would get a ticket. However, CG states that you should use the pole. I may just get some compartment LED lights and call it a day.

[West6550]

I agree it is slim chances but I would rather not spend time and money on something just to later pay a ticket as rare as it is. I rarely fish at night or launch that early so for me it is useless.

I liked the idea of not having poles in a locker which is why I wanted them.. that and they look cool lol But no worries they are easy to snap on if I need them.

[Ron Fogelson]

Ranger has them as standard equipment on their newer high end lines.

There is a spot to use a front pole light is you wanted but no pole light was given with the boat.

As I understand it the front lights need to be viewed from the front and sides not the rear, this lets others know if your boat is headed away from them or towards them and if it's head on or from one side or the other.

[Oldfart9999]

Im sure you guys will be fine. You need to be able to see them from in front and from aft down the side of the boat. I did some in my g3 that I made out of LED Bolts one red and one green and they looked really good. I did a whole thread on the build on tin boats


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The CG has no sense of humor for those violating the safty laws, what you have may be better but if it doesn't say CG APPROVED then it means a ticket, specially if you argue with them. The CG needs to be petitioned for approval. As far as Ranger goes they may have a waiver. The bow lights tell if you are moving toward or away and to port or starboard.
Rodney

[Pferox]

I think one of the concerns with them is the height, there is a mandatory height regulation, and unless on something that is above the bow, it is illegal.  Same goes with the aft light, it has to be higher than everything on the boat.

[Bigwrench]

I was also told it had to do with height above the bow when I questioned it around here.

[Princeton_Man]

I bought a set back in the spring but I'm hesitant to cut out a piece of the bead in the rubrail to install them. I had the same concerns with height. Probably wouldn't be an issue with higher profile boats. I've connected them to power and they are much brighter than the normal nav light with a very deep red and green. If I do install them at some point, I'm going to continue using the pole light too.

[Pferox]

I bought a set back in the spring but I'm hesitant to cut out a piece of the bead in the rubrail to install them. I had the same concerns with height. Probably wouldn't be an issue with higher profile boats. I've connected them to power and they are much brighter than the normal nav light with a very deep red and green. If I do install them at some point, I'm going to continue using the pole light too.

Keep them on a separate switch in case you are in a state that interprets the law to be only one light of each color visible.

[Princeton_Man]

Keep them on a separate switch in case you are in a state that interprets the law to be only one light of each color visible.

Good point!

[spetro]

Ladies and Gentlemen...Here's your need to know
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Update:  When teaching class I stress that most modern boats with foam will not sink.  One sure thing they all can do is burn.  Hence one reason to consider the importance of USCG approved equipment / lights.

Another issue is vessel operators light perception.  One of the most difficult safety missions I endeavor is the Fort Lauderdale Christmas parade.  This patrol mission is always at night.  Christmas colors are green, red, and white.  Decorative lighting displays are really hard to distinguish vessel direction, especially in rough water.  Using approved lights that are "by the book" in placement and design will help keep someone else from slamming into you.  Try to eliminate confusion to the other guy! 

[Oldfart9999]

The CG has reasons for what they want, it's not that they don't want us to have fun or great looking rigs, they want us to stay alive and to not be rescued. Fishing friend was in the CG Reserve, retired from them in fact, he can tell you about some very scary times on the Great Lakes a lot that were caused needlessly.
Rodney

[Broskee]

Thanks for the info Spetro.