Anyone spoke with those in power and know if these fulfil the legal requirements for a bow light? would be nice to have something I don’t have to take on/off, I nearly sent my bow light flying into the lake stowing my trolling motor one evening on my Kab trip as it’s right behind the base and caught it with my elbow.
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Minnesota boats require a view of 112.5 degrees from either side with a total viewing angle of 225 degrees. The arc does not overlap from the front. It must also be 3 feet above the water.
I think that is a ticket waiting to happen but I don’t know WI rules.
Also note, if it isn’t up to code and is involved in an accident it could default to your liability because of the wrong lighting.
Edit, found this on Boat US under coast guard requirements, also stating the light must be above the hull.
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).
^^^All pleasure boats in the US must abide by that standard.
Chances of being caught with them is very slim, but chances of being denied a claim or prosecuted is very good if an accident may happen.
figured it was too convienent to actually work. Guess I’ll just have to continue to be careful when it gets used.
Looks fine to me.
In what situation would a person NOT want those on their boat? With the brightness of LEDs, the low electric pull, and overall durability vs regular bulbs why shouldn’t these be allowed?
3′ if I read it correctly is below the masthead light, not the waterline, simply has to be above the hull.
Correct me if wrong bc last time out I stepped on my sternlight shattering it and dropped my anchor on the bow one so I’m looking to upgrade to a simpler system as well.
I’m not sure…but to me they don’t look above the hull.
But the easy answer and you’ll have a record of it, is to send your photo in to the Coast Guard. Neil McMillin just inspected my guide boat and did a safety inspection of the 2 month old Skeeter last week.
Neil McMillin
Branch Chief – LANTAREA West Vessel Activities
UPV Examiner/Instructor
US Coast Guard Auxiliary
Eighth Western Rivers District
(763)350-4198 Cell
[email protected]
Unfortunately what make safe sense to you and I doesn’t always follow the federal laws.
Poo,
what I did was re-locate my base, from behind the TM to more alongside it, to keep it out of the way. Bad pic, but you can just see the black plastic block-off plate at the bottom.
HRG
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In what situation would a person NOT want those on their boat? With the brightness of LEDs, the low electric pull, and overall durability vs regular bulbs why shouldn’t these be allowed?
3′ if I read it correctly is below the masthead light, not the waterline, simply has to be above the hull.
Correct me if wrong bc last time out I stepped on my sternlight shattering it and dropped my anchor on the bow one so I’m looking to upgrade to a simpler system as well.
Because chances are they won’t have the correct angle and height to be legal. Does your boat have exactly 135degree angle and at least 3 feet of height at the bow? Because that is what you would need for these to be legal. Yes, brightness, power consumption, and durability, hands down they would beat the competition, but that is not what the coast guard made the regulations around.
I was wanting them last year on my boat to keep the bow light out of the way as well, until I did more research and found out they would never pass as legal.
Where do you see 3′ height at the bow?
placed above hull at least 1 meter (3.3′)
below
masthead light
Good discussion, I agree an email to authorities would be great.
there are side mount navigation lights but those are not it.
the number one thing to make sure of is if the lights are coast guard approved. If the lights are not stated as coast guard approved then they are not. Would they be nice, I’m sure they would….
Where do you see 3′ height at the bow?
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Kyhl wrote:</div>
placed above hull at least 1 meter (3.3′)below
masthead light
Good discussion, I agree an email to authorities would be great.
My apologies, kyhl had that in his first sentence and it must have stuck in my head. Yes 3′ below the mast light, not as big of a deal to do that.
Here’s some good reading.
https://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg545/alerts/1015.pdf
The U.S. Coast Guard is concerned about the sale and availability of unapproved recreational and commercial vessel navigation lights. Purchasers of such lighting should be aware replacement lighting may be improper for its application due to the failure by manufacturers to meet technical certification requirements. Furthermore, technical advances in marine lighting, such as the use of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), rope lighting, underwater lighting, and other various types of decorative lighting, may violate navigation light provisions of the Nautical Rules of the Road.
Some manufacturers are producing and distributing navigation lights that do not meet the certification requirements indicated above. These lights are typically less expensive, making them a tempting choice for uninformed consumers. Use of lights that do not provide the proper chromaticity, luminous intensity, or cut-off angles could result in the issuance of a notice of violation or potentially cause an accident. Recreational boaters should ensure each purchased navigation light contains the following information on the light or its packaging:
USCG Approval 33 CFR 183.810 MEETS ABYC A-16 or equivalent TESTED BY (an approved laboratory) Name of the light manufacturer Number of Model
Visibility of the light in nautical miles
Date on which the light was type-tested
Identification and specification of the bulb used in the compliance test.
Yeah, the 3 foot thing is confusing. Looks like 3′ under a masthead light is the rule. But I don’t think we can have a masthead light either. So just above the hull fits.
After that, I’d be worried about the 225 degree area of view.
Thanks for posting the USCG warning too.
I caught that one and wish they would start enforcing these rules on Mille Lacs. So many pontoons flying around in the dark so far out of spec it is crazy. I had a pontoon opening weekend busting across the lake full throttle with four car headlights on the front and water line lighting. He was coming from my port at a 90 degree angle which gave me the right of way. With all those lights all he saw was the stuff right in front of him. He never saw me coming. I dropped down to an idle after hitting him with my handheld spotlight a few times. I don’t think he ever even saw the spotlight. Makes me want to get a bigger one.
This guys only $40, approved by uscg. Like this route better. Not directly on front boat, bit raised.
Upon thinking of last few times out with older rig and how often I’m bumping that bow into stuff those LEDs would be squash.
My first thought was one like your picture, but my terrova takes up so much of the bow I’d have to re-arrange the whole thing to make it work.
Anyone know of a pole mounted light in LED for the Bow? It’s one of the only lights I haven’t changed to LED as I can’t seem to find one that is LED.
Needs to look like this one to get over the TM base.
shopping.jpg
My boat was manufactured like this. You can see the red light in the side of the gunnel.
As I look at your setup now I think it’s illegal. You really shouldn’t be able to see both the red and green at the same time.
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NHamm that style is what the Solera has (very similar) LED’s.
If a vessel is coming directly towards you, both colors should be seen.
Yeah the TM would be in way 
I’m curious to find something what you posted Poomunk, but be able to recess it into the bow when not in use. Seems digging it out and storing is the dangerous and PIA part for me.
Maybe as simple as drilling a hole ,lining it with foam and sticking the darned thing in.
If a vessel is coming directly towards you, both colors should be seen.
Correct but only for a few degrees. Maybe 5-10 degrees. The op’s boat looks like you could see both for as much as 45 degrees. That could be hazardous not knowing which way he is heading at night.
Yeah the TM would be in way
I’m curious to find something what you posted Poomunk, but be able to recess it into the bow when not in use. Seems digging it out and storing is the dangerous and PIA part for me.
Maybe as simple as drilling a hole ,lining it with foam and sticking the darned thing in.
Oh man, now I’m going to be up till 2am staring at the bow to figure out a way to make that work.
Oh man, now I’m going to be up till 2am staring at the bow to figure out a way to make that work.
And work in a way that keeps the light visible over a 225 degree arc. My bet is that will mean it will be mounted above the trolling motor. Hence the lights on poles.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>poomunk wrote:</div>
Oh man, now I’m going to be up till 2am staring at the bow to figure out a way to make that work.And work in a way that keeps the light visible over a 225 degree arc. My bet is that will mean it will be mounted above the trolling motor. Hence the lights on poles.
That’s what i think we were getting at, pole light, but have it recessed into the bow when not in use. I googled mechanical boat lights but didn’t come up with much, how sweet would it be press a button on dash and watch the light rise from the tip of bow illuminated, James bond style. Then again costs become issue, wonder how difficult would be to transform a powered car antenna, sure could fine a cheap at salvage yard.
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