lights
 

I was wondering if anyone knows if you can run with the docking lights on. Most lights I find say only for docking or they will overheat. Is it just not good practice or whats the deal?

NO-it is illigial and it will blind other boaters.

lights
 

Is there any safe way to run at night?

SLOWLY and know your lake or river.

Running with the docking lights on will ruin your night vision for anything outside of the range of the lights. That doesn't mean that people don't do it, though... :rolleyes:

I've seen people with them on almost run into me since they couldn't see me at a distance, while others without lights gave me plenty of range. Best thing I did was to use reflective vinyl for the name on my transom. You can see that from 1/2 mile away with just a flashlight!

I flip my lights on every now and then ...Major danger here in NE Florida are the Manatee Signs ...NO lights ...they do have reflective tape though .... you can see em from a long way off with the lights... I use the signs as a navigationial aid cause I know where they all are ....We try not to be out at night if possible unless the moon is full ....On a clear night with a full moon I think Visibility is excellent ..We plan our outings accordingly ...m

Exactly. Here in SW FL it can be a bit tricky with lots of shallows outside of the channels and unlit, small fishing boats and skiffs out at night. Lots of channel markers here on wooden piles but most of the signs are reflective.

Also, a handheld light is a must. Mine plugs right into the 12v socket when I need it.

People running with dock lights drive me crazy. Not only are the lights annoying, but they can't see me. Half of the time I have to hit them with the handheld light a few times to make them aware I am there since they are flying through the channel thinking no one is there.

Docking lights are for docking. Most guys i know who have them think they are boat "headlights". Not the purpose.

Interesting idea though...with all the talk as of late with regards to the boating accidents at night....should boats be equiped with some sort of headlights? :confused: Could that work?

No boats dont need headlights. they need to learn basic navigation slow down and pay attention. It's very is to navigate at night if you know what your doing.

True as stated above. When you take the coast guard exams for marine lincense's a large section of the test is night identification of vessels. It is call color regs. Test is black screen with different colored dots simulating the different running lights of vessels. Everything from a 16' john boat to a ocean freighter, to different lights on obsticals.
If you use your dock lights running, they over power your running lights, bounce off water, create glare for yourself and the others coming toward you etc. At night if you use your navigation lights correctly I should be able to tell how long vessel is, if your running or anchored, coming or going, quartering left or right, sail or powered, and more.
So when running dock lights you severly diminish this ability. Very dangereous if running in a body of water that has LARGE vessels in it. I assure you those individuals have captains license and they know their "lights".
Use a spot light intermittantly as needed, slow down, use the moonlight and GPS. We do alot of night riding but as stated above you have to pick a good night for it and plan for the unexpected.
Also it is against the law to use docking lights for headlights.
Hope this helps.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nni8gblrcJM&feature=PlayList&p=F6D12855AF2 3C803&playnext=1&index=4[/YOUTUBE]

dock lights
 

dock lights on also makes it virtually impossible for other boaters to see your bow red/green navigation lights. They're there for a reason.
I'm just glad folks ask the questions when they have them.
Smart boater is one who asks if he is in doubt.

Gare


Thumbs up for the good question not the dock lights.

I find at night I tend to use my docking lights often. Mostly because while in the no wake zones it is a pain in the ass to see the buoys. It also helped greatly on the trip through the intercoastal on the way to Atlantic city(9pm). The city's lights were literally blinding, washing out the unlit day markers. The gps was basically useless on the way there because it was a virgin trip and I had no waypoints or the chart for the area (only paper charts). Ironically what got me through it was my iPhone!! I brought up google maps and went to the satellite view and could easily track myself via gps right through the channel. Upon arrival I quickly purchased the iNavX app for $49.95 which gives you charts for anywhere you are.

The lights on my boat are angled just right if you are at idle.

I noticed all the talk about nav and anchor lights on Iboats. On my boat when turning the switch on (one way switch, not a two way switch) the nav (green&red,stern) are on and so is the anchor light. There is no way of switching from nav & anchor lights or just anchor light on...Maybe its time to rewire the light's on the boat?
Erik

flir.

My 311 has switch for Navigational Lights .... red/green running lights and white light mounted on the Stern ....

And a switch for the Anchor Light ....which is the "360" Light ....mine is a LED that retracts .....

I believe in the past you did not have to run the "360" light while underway .....But now you do ...its been years since they changed that rule .... Personally I dislike running with the "360" light because it tends to blind you ....I can see alot better without it ....of course I guess somone might not be able to spot you as easy either ......m

Yeah what stinks is my "360" degree anchor light is just infront of my windshield...so while underway and having the anchor light on is really no good for my eyes. Its bright and makes it so much harder to operate my boat at night because the anchor light is infront of me!

Man I would Definately fix that!!!! put an Anchor light on rear port side .... At Nite I kill the dash lites too ..... I have red lamps in the dash but kill them anyway .... a dimmer is on the list ......m

Iam not sure if it is a factory install, but why on earth would it be mounted there? What sucks is if I remove it then iam going to have 3 screw holes I need to fill and what not now!

Im sure its factory, as for the question as to why??? I think its because you never used to have to run the 360 all the time. Now i believe you have to.. but I'm not sure. It sure is a sh*ty location though

That makes sense. Well since Iam really never out at night (just this past weekend for the fireworks) I will wait until winter to relocate the anchor light and fill the holes.
erik

I was at Smith Mountain Lake in VA and with a house on the water, you run out of daylight quickly without even thinking. The anchor light is also right in front of me so it makes it hard to see anything at a distance. I came up with an idea though... it is already in existence but no one sells it; lighted rub rails. a simple rope light running through the middle of a rub rail. it gives 360 light so a boat can see the length and width of the boat and you can see the water around you. I want to make this a reality but for now... its just in my head.

That does not meet USCG standards for a 360* light. It has to be above the highest point on the boat.

Has anyone ever tried one of the LED anchor lights. They advertise them as "low glare". It seems to make sense to me as LED's typically produce a narrow, more direct beam of light. If the pole was higher than my eye level it should be less direct and less blinding. I might have to buy one and give it a shot.

I have used one and it does give off less glare.

I run one and I have no problem with it. Most every weekend we come in after dark. Key is to have the anchor/stern light high enough. I found close to same height with me standing driving works well. I also installed one small LED shooting across side to side on swim platform to aid in boarding. Added one LED cluster under center edge of couch pointing forward. This floods to cockpit floor with soft light. Works very well.
Don't use the docking lights when running. When a boat is coming at you it will be difficult for them to tell if you are breaking right or left. The way bow lights are designed, little movement to port or starboard and you will only see one light (green or red) thus letting me know which way you are altering course. Remember when meeting a boat head on, day or night, everyone turns right. "Right Is Right".
5 young people died here last year because of head on collision in daylight when their boat mirrored the turn of the larger boat in a curve.

i have only been out twice at night.on time idling thru the channel back to the launch no big deal. The second time on plane running 30 mph in Lake Michigan about a half mile out full moon two moerons ANCHORED NO F"IN LIGHTS ON if i did NOT have my DOCKING lights on i know i would not be typing this right now!!! I have not night boated since!

my dock lights want even light up a reflector on my slip with in 10 foot,there a joke.

Sometime ill hit them when I see a boat headed towards me to help them see me. I'm thinking I can find a bulb with a clear lense.it looks like a 4inch.The sail boat are bad about no lights ,Ya can see the sail when ya buz them.they still want turn them on

Rob:drink:

Tell me about it. I had a VERY close encounter w a sailboat this year on my cruzier.

Our lake is real small,the lights around it light it up pretty good,and i can see in the dark pretty good,I figure a close pass would make them turn there lights on,never has.

What I hate is the fishermen that have no lights and run alittle after dark,the little aluminum jon boats.no reflectors ,those are dangerous.Oyea a dark blue Kayak is camouflaged very well, they need those go cart flags on a pole:eek:

hey guys...
i think the real objective is that one should make oneself seen...if i can't see you, no matter what lights i throw, shame on you for hiding...the reflective kayak flag and the rub rail lights put the onus on the operator...not some middle-aged guy's chitty eyesight or crappy instruments...i used to do fog runs in maine in a low freeboard 21, but we hung a radar-reflective ball from a fishing rod in a holder...30 years later there's been no close calls or accidents...everyone saw me...
no one sees well at night...but everyone sees a well lit object...
.02
c

I know you are thinking you are doing the right thing, but trust me, you have a good chance of confusing the hell out of the other guy coming at you.

Trust me. Happens here a lot...

If they are coming way too close to you, hit nearby with a spot light. They are a completely different lighting caliber and can easily be distinguished from a stern light.

Good point,Thanks,so far Ive never had one head on,they no nothing about right away,I usually shut it down if they get close,to many bass boat out there and It is Mississippi too:eek:

Ive been thinking about getting a bulb that has a clear lens,I bought some 100watt aircraft landing lights that fit in the high beam hole on my 70 Chevelle.ya can see bugs running across the street:drink:its a pencil beam,I just need to find some like that for the boat:cool:


Rob

Strip...look at these new led docking lights...no need to cut a hole in the hull...flush mount...and bright..I just put them on my boat this past weekend...

I allready have holes,They do look cool:drink:

I had reg docking lights in mine also and they were ugly....

Did they cover the hole from the other light?

Yes they completely covered the hole.