Changing All Around Light Location
 

What are the rules for changing the location of the all around light? I have a 28' Scarab, and the light is located about 1 foot in front of the windshield.

Its BLINDING at night. Totally destroys night vision. I want to relocate it to the aft port side. I'm attaching a picture with current and proposed locations drawn in.

Thanks,
Paul

I cant see how that would be an issue... Mine is already in the back... Scarab is actually one of the only boats that I have seen with it in the front like that.

I had to do the same thing to my 95 sleekcraft. It really made all the difference. Do you have the light with the shield on the back side to cut down on the light from blinding the driver?

Yeah, Its called DUCT TAPE!!!! :rolleyes:

I do also have the stern light. Will having both lights back there cause a problem?

I saw something in the regs about the light being 3' above the highest point of the boat.

They make a shield that keeps the light out of your eye's it fit's just under the light it's self. My father's Regal has one....Look in overton's.

I don't like the light on back...it's hard to get to, in the way when docking, and light the entire cockpit for all the world to see.

In my Mirage it was in back. It was really convenient, plus it doubled as a small flag pole with a little electrical tape!
:)

Thanks for the correction. I remember looking at the pic of his boat and seeing that the stern was significatly lower than the bow. He might need a taller pole to be a meter above the bow lights.

Check out this gizmo - Power retracting anchor light

Kind of pricey, but pretty cool if you've got the room under the hatch...

On my Formula it plugs into a socket mounted on the windshield frame and is about three feet above my head when standing. It's a two part light. The forward facing lamp is on with the running lights while the aft facing and forward comes on as an anchor light. There's a light mounted in the transom for the aft running light.
It does cast a erie glow forward when running but other than that it's not a problem.

the one in front is an anchor light. Turn it off when running. All you need is the white transom light on the back of the boat here in FL. Hence, Scarab made in Bradenton Fl. On my open fisherman I have the white light mounted on the back of one of my outboard lift off covers.

I have a two part light on my bow, and it does not really effect night vision. The 360 deg. rule is taken care of by a light in the middle of the transom. Which is also nice to light up the platform, just incase anyone needs to relieve themselves in the middle of the night.(Not that anyone does that in Oklahoma!)

Mine is on the deck too and used to blind me. Now it's 6' tall, no longer an issue.

My 86 Formula has the lights on the windshield also. For your running lights the front light on the windshield pole is on and the light on the transom is also on. For anchoring the only light on is the windshield pole but then both lights on the windshield pole (front and rear) are on...I have been wanting to fix this also.....

BH

Ok so where can I get a 6' two part light pole and base?

My BAJA has the white light in front of the windshield but is only 135 degree. The stern has a light. When at anchor the front light goes to 360. The 135 still messes with your night vision. I bought a 360 light for my kids boat that is very directional, the light comes out in a pancake shape. This casts a beam around you but not on you. Check Ellett Brothers for this type of light. You do need to make sure you get the correct bend so it is parallel at plane or split the difference between on plane and at rest. I have considered using a LED type light temporarily mounted to the antenna for anchoring. The LED lights consume very little current. Whatever you do be sure you can be seen!

The rule changes at about 32 or so feet as to what you need to have for running lights last time I looked. I know you definatly need a 360 degree white light. That is the only way that other boats can tell what direction you are traveling in (by seeing the white light in relation to your grean or red bow light)

I did remove my light over the windshield and went with the stern light, and find it to be MUCH better.

Jon

Got to West Marine and buy a piece of alum tubing. Then drill the rivits out of the old light and base and install them into the new tubing. Took about 15 minutes to complete.