LED Bow Lights.

[frobotz]

When I installed the trolling motor on my boat I had to remove the old bow light. In my search for a new might that would work with the motor I found the led strips. and I installed them on my boat. I heard someone on the reviews recently say they are not USCG approved and the wardens are writing tickets. Seems a little far out for me to believe. If you have red and green lights on the correct sides why would anyone write a ticket for it? just curious if anyone has ever heard of something like this

 

[GA_Boater]

LED strip lights, even the correct color and on the correct side, do not meet Coast Guard regulations. Red and green are not the only requirement. Distance and angle of visibility are also part of the regs.

[h=3]Navigation (Running) Lights[/h] Required on boats between sunset and sunrise. A sailboat under motor only, or under sail and motor, is considered a powerboat, and must display appropriate lights.
[h=4]Boats under 12 meters(39.4')[/h] Sailboats-Separate or combination red and green sidelights, 112.5?, visible 1 n.m. White stern light, 135?, visible 2 n.m. OR, tri-color masthead light.
Powerboats-Separate or combination red and green sidelights, 112.5?, visible 1 n.m., placed above hull at least 1 meter (3.3') below masthead light. Masthead: white, 225?, visible 2 n.m., at least 1 meter above side lights. White stern light, 135?, visible 2 n.m. OR, one all-round (360?) white light (should also have sidelights).
[h=4]Boats under 12 meters (39.4') to 20 meters (65.6')[/h] Sailboats-Separate or combination red and green sidelights, 112.5?, visible 2 n.m. White stern light, 135?, visible 2 n.m. OR, tri-color masthead light.
Powerboats-Separate or combination red and green sidelights, 112.5?, visible 2 n.m., placed above hull at least 1 meter (3.3') below masthead light. Masthead: white, 225?, visible 3 n.m., at least 1 meter above side lights. White stern light, 135?, visible 2 n.m.

 

[StingrayMike]

No Title

Could they write a very ticket? Yes.
The red and green lights actually are designed to show at specific angles so other boaters can tell which way you are traveling at night.
there are rules that regulate the angle of the lights, location, and visibility, as well as what is required for different size boat
The rules are in the Rules of the Nautical Road

 

[frobotz]

I think I am good according to the degree of light and distance required. As I said I bought them as a BOW LIGHT thru Academy so I feel these should meet the requirement if installed correctly.
Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[GA_Boater]

They are only 6" long. I thought you hung much longer strips. You should be OK. Curious - Does the package say anything about CG approval?

 

[Faztbullet]

Here in Tn they(TWRA) will right you a ticket instantly ..no questions asked. Had several guys in a night tournament get busted for LED lights on bow and rear anchor light to short(40"min)....

https://www.tn.gov/assets/entities/twra/attachments/lighting_alert.pdf

 

[spoilsofwar]

Yup, gonna depend on where ya boat.

Here where I'm at in Central SC, the DNR and water cops won't bother you for just about anything. I run blue underwater lighting, a waketower light bar, and bright RGB cockpit lights and they couldn't care less... But I know in my previous home (NY), lighting outside of the rules would get you a ticket in a New York minute (pun intended).

I think at the very least, I'd have the proper lights on my boat, and functional, in case I was asked. If you want bling lights beside that, well then rock on and be able to switch them off when told.

 

[frobotz]

I don't want bling lights, Just trying to conserve battery power. I run one battery for the motor and trolling motor, My outboard is pull or electric start so if I run the battery down. I just fire up the motor and head back charging the battery the whole way. Gonna add a solar panel to the mix next.

thanks everyone for the reply. Happy boating.