Portable navagation lights?

[sirslurpee]

So I've come to sort of a brick in the road. I want to be able to fish before first light, and after dusk.. but all I have is a 13' aluminum boat w/ a 10hp honda outboard. I obviously need lights to be out in the dark right?
So I searched the internet and I found a couple of sets of LED lights for the bow and stern that attach via C-clamp and run off batteries. I was wondering if any of you guys have used anything like this and could offer any insight on why or why i shouldn't purchase a set.. So what do you guys think?

[kbkrause]

Yes you need them at night. Back when I had my smaller boat, I had the clamp on lights, they were not LED. It seemed like they always needed a little coaxing (a tap on the palm or something a little more aggressive) to get them to turn on. Hopefully with the LED versions they now work better.

[KayJay]

BOATS UNDER 12 METERS (39.4')
Sailboats-Separate or combination red and green sidelights, 112.5°, visible 1 n.m. White stern light, 135°, visible 2 n.m. OR, tri-color masthead light. 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).

Hope this helps -

KJ

[SabikiRig]

Aqua Signal makes a really good clamp on bi-colored nav light. That is what I had used on several smaller boats which I did not wire up for permanent lighting. Battery life was never an problem.

http://www.waypointent.com/lighting.html

Please keep in mind the stern light needs to be visible 360 degrees and higher than and obstructions including the Vessel Operator/Passengers and any canvas or tops.

[Jason Adam]

If I were going out in an area with ANY boat traffic, I would certainly be EXCEEDING the CG requirements for lighting. Come prime salmon season, I see so many 14' boats with flashlight lighting that are almost imposible to see on the water. Regardless of requirements, if you don't want to die, make sure your lighting is HIGHLY visable...

[The Whale]

My buddy has a set of those LEDs, they work well. Fairly bright too. As stated though, make sure you are plenty visable to other traffic and not just "meeting the code". ;)

[sirslurpee]

Well I think where I would be, I would be out on a smaller lake with relatively no to little boat traffic. I do want to be seen though.. heard some horror stories about boat accidents and I do NOT want to risk it. Anyway.. I think I am leaning toward the LEDs. They are cheap and I figure I will see if I can return them if I don't like them. Those Aqua Signal lights are nice but they are relatively expensive (dude, I know. I am cheap.) and it looks like they use pretty big batteries (which could be a plus)
Anyway thanks for the help you guys.. see you on the water! (you will actually be able to see me if it's dark :) )

[SabikiRig]

If I were going out in an area with ANY boat traffic, I would certainly be EXCEEDING the CG requirements for lighting. Come prime salmon season, I see so many 14' boats with flashlight lighting that are almost imposible to see on the water. Regardless of requirements, if you don't want to die, make sure your lighting is HIGHLY visable...

Jason,

The Aqua Signal lights are very bright and in my option meet or exceed USCG requirements.

Actually they are brighter than some of the hard wired lighting I see on some boats here on the lower detroit river.

SirSlurpee, those Aqua Signal lights run (4) AA's and have LED bulbs. I did have an older Aqua Signal light with standard bulbs too.

With either light, I have had no problems with battery life and AA's are not that expensive. I am very happy with mine and would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a good, reliable portable light.

[sirslurpee]

Thanks! There's always a solution to the AA problem... Rechargeables!!! Just gotta make sure I keep a fresh pack in the tackle box if they run out or I forget to charge them :D

[Jason Adam]

If you get teh LEDs, the batteries will probably last a whole season. Those things draw next to no power, and are far brighter than conventional(incandecent) light bulbs.

[slayer]

Be careful with the clamp on type. Lost both of mine last year on my 14 ft aluminum boat Vibration from motor loosened them and they both fell into the Manistee river :yikes: :rant:

[sirslurpee]

Thanks for the warning.. maybe I can permanantly attach them or something ?

[SabikiRig]

Thanks for the warning.. maybe I can permanantly attach them or something ?

That is exactly what I did and never had any problems.

Does not matter if you get the suction or clamp mount there is a threaded hole which allows you to fasten the suction cup or clamp to the light housing. Find a stainless steel fastener to fit and then solder a small washer to the fastener. (Make sure you apply some type of temporary threadlocker to prevent it from loosening)

You can install or remove the light without tools. The light floats if it ever comes loose.......