stern white light

[noah4009]

I am confused. I went to purchase a white light for the stern. I noticed on the packaging that the light must be 1 meter above bow (green/red) light. Every light I saw had a pole less then 1 meter 24" for example. How can the stern light be above the bow light by 1 meter. This is not a hotrod with big tires on rear. Even a leveled boat with a 24" stern light would still be only 23" above the bow light.

 

[Bondo]

Re: stern white light

Ayuh,....

I think My stern light is on a 3' pole,... Might be 2'...
Probably Technically Illegal anyways, as the Bimini/ Cabin won't allow for a full 360? view....
But,...
I've been checked by the Coastie's about yearly,+ Always given the Gold sheet Passing grade....

 

[noah4009]

Re: stern white light

So are you saying just run illegal and I will be alright.

 

[Expidia]

Re: stern white light

I was surprised to find my light set in the gunnel after I purchased my 2007 rig in that it came stock with a removable stern light that is on a pole of at least 5 feet long.

I thought they made a mistake cause the boat is only 15 feet.

I wondered at the time why it was of such a long length and then it made sense because that it allows the light to be above a bimini.

If you went on line you could find longer ones then what you are seeing in the stores.

I would think the higher the better, since you want it to be seen by others especially if a drunk is coming at you in the twilight

I'm told bigger is always better . . .

 

[mthieme]

Re: stern white light

No one pays attention to this as it is not practical in many cases.
Another useless archaic rule.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: stern white light

The factory stern light with my new Mirrocraft 1615 is 5' tall too! I thought it was dumb but the dealer explained that the light (by coastguard regs) had to be visable for 360 deg while the boat was occupied. Given that you might be standing in the boat, I can see why they made it 5' off the gunnel.
Still looks goofy though.
If it were me, I'd buy the 3'/1meter length and argue it if/when I got hassled.

 

[Provo5]

Re: stern white light

I just research this because someone helped themself to my stern light. I was told the light needs to be above the tallest perminate structure of the boat for 360 view. I bought the 1 meter length to clear my windsheild. I never even thought about the top because I stow it after the heat of the day.

 

[dingbat]

Re: stern white light

Save yourself the hassle and possbile law suit and purchase the correct height light.

I run a lot in open water at night. It's hard enough seeing boats that have their lights displayed properly let I some bozo that decides they are exempt from compliance and use a flash light as their stern light.

I wonder if the lawyers would think it's such an archaic law should there be an accident?

 

[cbavier]

Re: stern white light

I would go with the higest you can purchase 5 Ft. If you fish at night or float even. It will keep the Bugs, Flies and Mosquito's further away from you or whoever is at the rear of the boat. Bugs migrate to white lights. 5 ft may look ridiculous in the daytime but I don't leave my light plugged in during the daylight hours. Only if I'm out at night. You can't see the pole in the dark. So who cares. Besides it will be, as someone else stated, more visable in the dark thus improving safety.

 

[ebry710]

Re: stern white light

I look at lights as a night or poor viability item. The function during those times are important. My rear light pole is telescopic and is retracted almost all the time. If it wasn't I would have snapped it already and bought one that was telescopic.