Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

[Mark42]

I was just going over the wiring diagram for my 1985 Capri looking for the wire that is "on" with the ignition to connect the gas gauge to, and I realized that the bow light is always on when the boat is running. So is the speedo light. I never bothered to check, but its pretty plain from the wiring diagram that as soon as the ignition is turned to "On" the light is on. But not the all around light.

Is that a Coast Guard lighting regulation? Or is it just a "lights on for safety" thing? Or maybe just a Bayliner thing?

 

[mphy98]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

probably just a bayliner thing, no other boat I have been in has that feature. I have a switch to turn on the lights.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

Hmmmmmmm....daytime running lights on a Bayliner???

 

[Mark42]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

probably just a bayliner thing, no other boat I have been in has that feature. I have a switch to turn on the lights.

There is also a 3 way switch to control the running lights. Transom light only for anchoring, both transom and bow, and off. But it looks like as soon as the ignition is turned on, it overides the switch, and puts the bow light on.

I don't have a battery in the boat now to check, but the wiring diagram is pretty clear on this setup.

 

[grego]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

I start my s-10 pickup and the head lights come on. MAY not be a bad thing? As long as they run only with engine running. Probably switch?

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

As far as I know you only need lights from sunset to sunrise. I don't ever recall hearing about any law stating they can or can't be on full time. I don't suppose the bulb will last as long though.
If they are indeed set up that way, I'd be thinking about adding a switch to control my lights separate. On every boat I wire up, the dash lights get their own switch, the nav lights get a switch, and the anchor light gets it's own switch. I also switch the interior lights separate by type, and the same for any spot lights. The less circuits are tied together on a boat the better. It makes tracking down a bad connection so much easier. I am also not a fan of multifunction switches. I'd rather have 20 switches in front of me. Especially for things like lights and bilge pumps.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

Is a bow light that noticeable in the daylight? I might be missing some thing, but it seems to me that the light bulb manufacturer is the only one benefiting from a daylight bow light.

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

Is a bow light that noticeable in the daylight? I might be missing some thing, but it seems to me that the light bulb manufacturer is the only one benefiting from a daylight bow light.

That's kinda what I was thinking as well.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

When you say bow light, are you talking about your running lights? If so, it's wired wrong and needs to be corrected. Every light on a boat has a purpose and a meaning. They don't serve you, but rather those around you. You must show the correct combination based on what you are doing.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

I would consider that a problem & would recommend changing it. Let's say you are anchored and you decide to start your engine for some reason. You are in immediately in violation of COLREGS (at anchor with your running lights on). (Presuming that by 'bow lights' you mean red & green combination running lights - as has been asked by mattttt25.)

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

So is the speedo light.

Ayuh,... I agree with the consensus,....Probably otta rewire it...

Not only because the bow running light shouldn't be On all the time,..
But,...
You'll want your dash lights on a seperate switch,...
It's nice to be able to turn the dash lights Off when running after dark,...
It'll cut the Glare on the inside of the windshield,+ give you Better vision...

 

[Mark42]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

Well, I had the dash off today putting in a gas gauge and bilge pump switch and the wire does not put the nav lights on with the ignition. Either the wire diagram is wrong, or I am reading it wrong. But the actual wiring in the dash looks fine.

Sorry for the false alarm!

 

[Ned L]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

Good news, saves you a bit of work.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

.....Let's say you are anchored and you decide to start your engine for some reason. You are in immediately in violation of COLREGS (at anchor with your running lights on). (Presuming that by 'bow lights' you mean red & green combination running lights - as has been asked by mattttt25.)

Just curious- if I put two white 135-degree lights on my bow for 240-degree visibility, and put two other 135-degree lights on my transom, does that still qualify as a 360-degree anchor light? My all-around light with the forward bulb lit is SO bright it blinds you at night while fishing. The OEM wiring lit the red/green and the rear-facing bulb, and then, the forward lamp separately, but does not turn off the red/green. I am always in fresh water inland lakes and no one has ever bothered me about this, but this got me wondering.

Like these:
http://www.iboats.com/Aqua_Signal_Series_25_Stern_Lights/dm/*******.745577138--**********.172501803--view_id.362713

http://www.iboats.com/Flush_Mount_Transom_Light/dm/*******.745577138--**********.172501803--view_id.38683

 

[boat1010]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

No the bow lights should not be on. It should be on a switch. "Running lights" When you are at anchor and have the stern light on the bow lights should not be on. The "red and green" running lights should only be on when underway.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

No the bow lights should not be on. It should be on a switch. "Running lights" When you are at anchor and have the stern light on the bow lights should not be on. The "red and green" running lights should only be on when underway.

OK-

But what about the "all around light" issue? can I accomplish the same thing with mounted lights as described that are 360-degree visible which are not on a stalk/pole?

Curious... getting rid of the all-around BRIGHT light has always been a wish for me. Transom and prow mounted lights would be a great benefit to me, and be one less thing to fish around

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Is the bow light supposed to always be on?

No the bow lights should not be on. It should be on a switch. "Running lights" When you are at anchor and have the stern light on the bow lights should not be on. The "red and green" running lights should only be on when underway.

I actually answered my own question. Myabe it will help others.

On page 22 of the Coast Guard Federal Requirements and Safety Tips for Recreational Boats it shows two lighting arrangements. The requirement for crafts under 39.4 feet is for 360 degrees of white light and the side lights (red/green) while underway, and the sidelights extinguished while anchored. The all-round white light must be one meter above the sidelights.

The Vermont State Police Handbook of Boating Laws and Responsibilities on page 10 echoes that with the statement, "All-Round White Light: On power driven vessels less than 39.4 feet in length, this light (Masthead/Sternlight combo) may be used to combine a masthead light and sternlight into a single white light that can be seen by other vessels from any direction. This light serves as an anchor light when side-lights are extinguished."

reelfishin: If you do not extinguish your sidelights while at anchor, other boats may not manage to avoid you based on the stand-on and give-way rules at night. Of course these are "international waters" rules that I seldom see followed by small boaters around me, but that is a different thread

Daytime in interstate/international waters also require display of "shapes" so other vessels know what you are doing, BTW.