Running lights and anchor lights, which ones should be on and when?
 

I'm in the process of completely rewiring my boat. 20+ years of scotch locks and wire nuts had to go.

Anyhow, everything is done with the exception of the running lights and anchor lights.

The boat has the standard red/green on the sides and white on the stern.

But it also has a light socket and a light on a post that can be inserted in the windshield. It has a white light on the front and the rear.

Which of these lights should be on when the running lights are selected on?

Which ones should be on with the anchor lights selected on?

Sorry for the basic question, but I gots to know.

Thanks,

Greg

When you are running the red and green along with the stern light need to be on. The white socket light is your ancor light and should be the only light on when ancored.

I believe that along with the red & green, you need a white 360 deg. light. That is why you have a stern & the windsheild light with a front & rear bulb. When using nav. lights, the red & green, stern & front bulb on the windshield light should be on. When on anchor, only the windshield light should be on (front & rear bulb).

When running you need the red, green, and white all around light. When anchored, just the all around light needs to be on. The stern light is extra in many cases and is not required on a 31' boat.

Wire it so the stern white, red, and green are on with the running switch. Run the all around off the anchor light switch. When runnjng, have both switches on.

went to the source!
 

http://boat-ed.com/mi/handbook/night.htm

From Michigan boating laws.

Thanks for the info, and for the link. I'll be able to get the lights wired up correctly now.

Cheers!

Greg

The purpose of the red/green lights in addition ot the all around white stern light also referred to as an anchor light, is to allow others boats/ships to determine your relative position/direction to them at night. If you are not moving and are sitting on the hook (anchor) then all you need to have on is your white light which can be seen from all directions. This indicates to the other boat/ship that you are in fact tethered to the bottom and not quickly able to move, not to mention to easily be seen after dark, or you are a small 14' or less jon boat.