Navigation lights

Mike

Mike

Well-known member
Been pondering the idea of hard wiring nav lights on my sneakbox. I definately want something for before and after dark running. I'm considering portable lights. What to do?
 
Hardwire is the only way to wire nav lights if you are in saltwater, IMHO. Otherwise, they go down just when you need them the most. Make your connections absolutely waterproof.

Ed.
 
Actually there are a few really good portable lights out there which at the very least would make a good backup to a hard wired system, the picture here is from innovative lighting, these particular ones are LED and in addition to being highly watertight they float. I have used them and they work perfectly in salt water and run on 4 double A's.
il-560-111x.jpg

 
Hard wire them and while you're at it throw in a couple of under-cockpit lights. It really makes a big difference.
 
Mike,
I run the LED battery operated lights Jakeenan has pictured in this post. Let me first say they are great lights. I use the lights an entire season before replacing the batteries. The front of my BBSB regularly takes water over the bow in heavy chop and the lights continue to work great. I hunt in both salt water and fresh water. Now, I am redoing the interior and repainting my box this summer and will be installing hardwired nav lights. This is for a couple reasons. 1. just for peace of mind. 2. because when I get to my spot I have to clime on my bow to shut off the front light. The front light is permanently mounted. 3. Why not, I have the interior torn apart? I also already carry a battery on board for my cockpit lights and depth finder and bilge pump. I would say if you have easy access to hardwire then do so.

Take Care,
Gene
 
I hardwired mine and I think that is the way to go. You also get the advantage of being able to install cockpit lights and a outlet for your spotlight. a garden tractor battery from wal-mart ( 19.99 ) is small and will supply plenty of power.
 
When install interior lihts have them om a seperate switch I have used interior lights on numerous blind boats really a sweet touch , have used various colors from clear , amber lenses but the red has little effect on night vision.​
 
I'm with Jake on this one. I use the portable lights that are pictured. Less weight and simple. KISS
 
Gene's remarks about the awkwardness of having to climb out to the bow to shut off the lights has merit. With that in mind and depending on the size of your boat (and I think for the purposes of most of us less than 21ft or 7 meters is the case), you don't neccessarily have to position the lights right on the bow. The following is taken from the current edition of international collision avoidance regulations,

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]Rule 23[/font]​
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]power driven Vessels Underway[/font]​

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica](a) A power driven vessel underway shall exhibit:[/font]​

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica](i) a masthead light forward;[/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica](ii) a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one;[/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]except that a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so; [/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica](iii) sidelights: and[/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica](iv) a sternlight.[/font]​

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica](b) An air-cushion vessel when operating in non-displacement mode shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-round flashing yellow light. [/font]​

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica](c)[/font]​

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica](i) A power driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights.[/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica](ii) a power driven vessel of less than 7 meters in length whose maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and shall, if practicable, also exhibit sidelights.[/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica](iii) the masthead light or all-round white light on a power driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may be displaced from the fore and aft centerline of the vessel if centerline fitting is not practicable, provided the sidelights are combined in one lantern which shall be carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel or located as nearly as practicable in the same fore and aft line as the masthead light or all-round white light.[/font]

It's important to note that local harbour authorities may have specific rules for their particular area of authority, but as a general rule they will be very close. Long story short, in the case of smaller vessels, having a combination light such as the ones in my earlier post could easily be mounted on a pole and kept close to your cockpit area and mounted or stowed as required.

My 2 pennies worth

JAK​
 
I've taken all advice and decided to go with the portables. Thanks for helping me make this decision. I just don't want to put any more holes in my boat. Added weight of a battery is a major factor because I've already added more than I wanted to. And I'm probally getting lazy!
Thanks a bunch,
Mike
 
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