www.iFourWinns.com

When anchored at night I always turn on the navigation ligths. This also seems to turn on the lights in the instrument cluster. Is there a way to just have the navigation lights on and not the instrument cluster? Also, are both the front (green/red) and stern (white) lights required to be on all the time at night even when the boat isn't moving? Thanks.

Flip your switch the other way. That will only turn on the white stern light. This is all that is needed when not moving.

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2008 H210
Volvo 5.0 GXi
"Summer Sled"
Indianapolis

From the USCG:


It does not hurt to leave your anchor light only on. Nav lights should be off when at anchor.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

That may be true on waters patrolled by the USCG, but I'm not sure that is the case for smaller, inland lakes where there is less room for navigation. Our lake in Indiana, is patrolled by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and local police. They require an anchor light to be on at all times from dusk to dawn.

So, it may be best to check with local authorities.

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2008 H210
Volvo 5.0 GXi
"Summer Sled"
Indianapolis

Cliffs notes: Just an all around white light when not under power at night. Your boat should have a rocker switch. One direction NAV, one direction anchor. Anchor just turns on the white light only, nothing else.

Per USCG:

Equipment and Lighting Requirements
The owner and/or operator of a vessel is responsible to carry, store, maintain and use the safety equipment required by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).

All vessels are required to have onboard a wearable USCG-approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person. The PFDs must be of the appropriate size for the intended wearer, be in serviceable condition, and within easy access. The State of Florida urges all people onboard a boat to wear a life jacket.

Vessels 16 feet in length or longer must also have at least one USCG-approved throwable Type IV PFD that is immediately available in case of a fall overboard.

A child under the age of 6 must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II or III personal flotation device while onboard a vessel under 26 feet in length while the vessel is under way. "Under way" is defined as anytime except when the vessel is anchored, moored, made fast to the shore or aground.

Vessels with built-in fuel tanks or enclosed compartments where gasoline fumes can accumulate are required to carry at least one fire extinguisher (depending upon vessel length) which is approved for marine use.

All vessels are required to carry an efficient sound-producing device, such as a referee's whistle.
Vessels less than 16 feet in length are required to carry at least 3 visual distress signals approved for nighttime use when on coastal waters from sunset to sunrise. Vessels 16 feet or longer must carry at least 3 daytime and three nighttime visual distress signals (or 3 combination daytime/nighttime signals) at all times when on coastal waters.

The use of sirens or flashing, occulting or revolving lights is prohibited except where expressly allowed by law.

Recreational vessels are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility (fog, rain, haze, etc.). The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules specify lighting requirements for every description of watercraft.

All Vessels When Not Underway
All vessels are required to display a white light visible in all directions whenever they are moored or anchored away from dock between sunset and sunrise and/or during periods of restricted visibility.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

When anchored at night, your anchor light should be on!! Regardless of any law(s)! The last thing you want, in the middle of the night, is to be hit by another boater! If power is a problem, go with an LED light. NAV light should NOT be on. You will give the other boater, the impression that you are moving, when your not.

speaking of which, I totally dissaembled my anchor light (didn't work) tonight on the water and got it to shine! YESS! No tickets this weekend

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Hence the very reason I carry a red, a green, and a white glow-stick and tape. If any of the light fixtures go out I have a (ugly but effective) tempory repair.

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'90 Horizon 220 5.8

That's not going to give enough light. It's easier to just make sure the fixtures are maintained and keep a couple of spare bulbs on board. Those are going to take up the same amount of room as any gerry-rigged mess.

Or carry a battery operated set like the kind used in a dinghy.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I agree with Bill! You could change over to a sealed LED lights, and resolve that problem.

LED's are not bulletproof, but generally last longer. No need to buy expensive LED fixtures with bulbs you can't replace. Just retrofit yours.

My OEM rear white light takes these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/W-54-SMD ... 958wt_1109

I'm pretty sure will fit the front too. Make sure you get SMD technology it's superior in small sizes in light output to standard LEDs. Trust me, this little sucker will be much brighter then the standard bulb thats in there now and you won't watch your volt gauge drop when you flip the switch LOL

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Just to clarify. My lights work well and I do maintain them. I carry the glow sricks as an emergency, on the water repair, in case of a problem (kinda like I carry spare fuses, electrical tape, ect., ect..).

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'90 Horizon 220 5.8

I agree with Bill! You could change over to a sealed LED lights, and resolve that problem.[/quote]

LED's are not bulletproof, but generally last longer. No need to buy expensive LED fixtures with bulbs you can't replace. Just retrofit yours.

My OEM rear white light takes these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/W-54-SMD ... 958wt_1109

I'm pretty sure will fit the front too. Make sure you get SMD technology it's superior in small sizes in light output to standard LEDs. Trust me, this little sucker will be much brighter then the standard bulb thats in there now and you won't watch your volt gauge drop when you flip the switch LOL[/quote]

If your planning to keep the boat, I would change out the fixture to a sealed one. I have seen the sockets rust up. It will cost 2 to 3 times more to replace, depending on which one you pick. Yes, I would not call the bullet proof, but they last a lot longer. But thats me, do it once & forget about it.