Docking Lights - How Important ??

[NSBCraig]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

Never saw the need for docking lights.

 

[brad614]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

Before I spent the money fixing them, I would invest in a remote spotlight. You can get them for under $100 on E-Bay, and you have the flexibilty of pointing it wherever you need it.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

Many of you seem to be missing the point of the docking lights. They aren't intended to light the water in front of the boat for navigation, so getting a remote spotlight isn't a good substitution. Turning on 500,000 candlepower while coming in at night isn't going to be that helpful, especially if you accidentally turned it on while it was pointing at you! The docking lights ARE useful when pulling into an unlit dock at night. Moonlight or no, having light cascaded 10 feet in front of the bow helps keep the slip well lit, but no blinding.

My point is that they serve a purpose, and perform well for what they are designed to do. They are not "necessary" any more than a spotlight is, but they sure are nice to have at your disposal.

Trailering at night is another instance that was mentioned where the docking lights really shine. (pun intended)

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

Lots of unlighted channel markers on the lake here (Lake Pontchartrain). I know about where they are, but I consider a spotlight necessary when operating at night. They're impossible to see on a dark night against a dark shore.

I'm not real anxious to end up like this guy ....

Oh my goodness! And this guy looks like he ran into a lighted marker, too! I bet there is a good story to this one.....

Don't have dock lights and doubt I'd need them where we boat. With the hand-held to find the reflectors on lake channel markers, it works fine to see anything else we need light for.

Would I use them if I had them????? Not sure I'd have had the need yet and can't say I never would (never say never). Person should always have a back-up hand-held, in any event.

Enjoy!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

That pic has been around the internet forever, lol. Notice the boat name "Temporary Insanity II". I don't think much of anything would have helped him avoid the marker at 50+mph

 

[shrew]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

I would take the position of middle-ground here. I don't have docking lights any and have not once wished I did. I do have a spotlight and have never had a need to use it for docking either. Granted, the docks that I frequent ARE lit both by light/power posts every 2 slips all along the dock and ambient light from the commercial businesses along the water. I'm sure I would feel differently on an overcast and moonless night with no ambient light. Of course, at that point I'd break out the spotlight.

To say docking lights are beneficial is probably an exageration. To say they are useless is probably the same. I'd say that they have a very limited use. They are god for lining up the boat to a slip or the trailer, but provided you are looking directly in front of you. This is where I think a remote or handheld is far superior. The ability to scan left and right with a remote or handheld significantly increases functionality over the docking lights.

However, if I had docking lights and one didn't work, I'd replace it with the same thing I have. Upgrading is not necessary for this item in my opinion. This is only because I don't like features and functions that don't work, even if I don't use them. It represents the overall condition of the boat and should I choose to use something I want it working properly.

 

[QC]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

Lots of unlighted channel markers on the lake here (Lake Pontchartrain). I know about where they are, but I consider a spotlight necessary when operating at night. They're impossible to see on a dark night against a dark shore.

Interestingly enough . . . there really aren't any Channel markers on Havasu, Mohave or Mead. Mohave and Mead have them on shore , but the only traditional ones are on Powell and I have ran there a grand total of twice (10 hour tow). These lakes are so big that most of the time I couldn't pick up a reference point until I am near an entrance to a marina . . . Agree on Channel markers and buoys though when you have them. At Havasu there are lots of no wake sections and I have been on top of a buoy in a heartbeat when I thought I was well outside. I guess my point was I don't need a spot to stay down the middle as I do on the river (Parker Strip). This is all especially true with no moon.

 

[Blackacid]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

What about the anchor/stern lights? How does one prevent those from killing your night vision? around here you are required to have those on any time you're not running in transit... at least that was my understanding.

 

[skargo]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

Lots of unlighted channel markers on the lake here (Lake Pontchartrain). I know about where they are, but I consider a spotlight necessary when operating at night. They're impossible to see on a dark night against a dark shore.

I'm not real anxious to end up like this guy ....

That happened on the Chesapeake.

Baltimore Sun, 9/18/2000 - from a column by Dan Rodricks: "Will There Be A III ?"

Temporary Insanity II Impaled on Channel Marker
Near Bay Bridge Marina on Kent Island: Just before 2 a.m., a 1992, 38-ft. Fountain power boat slammed into a fixed, channel marker, ripping a 17-ft. gash in the forward hull & becoming impaled on the steel piling holding the channel marker. A passenger suffered a broken arm & lacerations; a passing boater rescued the two men. DNR police cited the skipper, who "claimed to have been blinded by the lights of a sailboat", for negligence, traveling at an unsafe speed, & failure to maintain a proper lookout.

 

[iBrent]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

The only time I would use docking lights would be when I'm putting it on the trailer at night. But I have sealed LED trailer lights and can line myself up between the tail lights even in pitch black. I think the docking lights would reflect off the surface and I wouldn't be able to see the submerged tail lights as well.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

What about the anchor/stern lights? How does one prevent those from killing your night vision? around here you are required to have those on any time you're not running in transit... at least that was my understanding.

You have to shine an "all around" light or separate forward and stern lights when underway at night and an "alla round" light when at anchor. It' not just in your area, it's everywhere.

They are not nearly as bright as spotlights or docking lights and are designed for other boaters to see your boat, not for you to see anything.

On better designed boats or better designed lights, the light does not shine in the operator's eyes. This is accomplished by placement of the lights and/or design of the lights.

 

[Blackacid]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

Ahh, so that light is supposed to be on at all times? I was misinformed. Is there a "good" place to get boating safety information?

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

Ahh, so that light is supposed to be on at all times? I was misinformed. Is there a "good" place to get boating safety information?

While many states may have differing minute laws, they are all pretty similar when it comes to safety. There are many sites to assist...

http://www.uscgboating.org/
http://www.boat-ed.com/?gclid=CIuwirusvKQCFcbD7QodzTwm0A

Good luck and Happy (safe) boating!

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

Ahh, so that light is supposed to be on at all times? I was misinformed. Is there a "good" place to get boating safety information?

Forgot to mention.... the stern light is for when you're on the water at all times at night; whether in transit or sitting still. Hence, the switch has NAV for motion with bow and stern light illuminated, and ANC for sitting in place without motor running where only the stern light illuminates (assumes at anchor).

As I understand, you are not required to be illuminated when beached. We do it after star-gazing as it adds a bit of night light to help see around the boat.

Again, good luck!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

the all-around stern light, while required, can adversely affect your night vision--you might glance back that way, and it reflects against the inside of the boat. I know from experience; I frequent what is practically a wilderness and have made many crossings in the dark. Although illegal, a safe compromise is to cover the front of the stern light so it doesn't shine in the boat, but still warns anyone approaching from behind. Your now lights cover those from the front and to some degree sides.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

Forgot to mention.... the stern light is for when you're on the water at all times at night; whether in transit or sitting still. Hence, the switch has NAV for motion with bow and stern light illuminated, and ANC for sitting in place without motor running where only the stern light illuminates (assumes at anchor).

A "stern light" and an "all around light" are two different things even though the all around light is often mounted at the stern on smaller boats.

A larger boat might have a "stern light" that can be seen only from the rear of the boat and a "steaming light" that illuminates the front 270 degrees or so.

A web search will turn up lots of information on boat lighting requirements.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

the all-around stern light, while required, can adversely affect your night vision--you might glance back that way, and it reflects against the inside of the boat. I know from experience; I frequent what is practically a wilderness and have made many crossings in the dark. Although illegal, a safe compromise is to cover the front of the stern light so it doesn't shine in the boat, but still warns anyone approaching from behind. Your now lights cover those from the front and to some degree sides.

We cover the portion of the anchor light that faces the boat with some tape, but leave a little bit of the top edge uncovered. That seems to block the majority of the night-vision problems and still leaves it visible to other boaters. The back and sides of the light are left uncovered to leave the light fully visible from all directions.

 

[skargo]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

Simplified.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

Simplified.

#1 is typical of bow riders, CCs, deck boats, etc. #2, 3, and 4 for larger boats.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Docking Lights - How Important ??

I was referring to small boats, too, although on a 19' that I didn't want an anchor light, I installed a stern light on the transom, under the gunwale, to signal an overtaking boat without compromising night vision. Again, not legal, but a compromise.
On small boats, b/c the stern/anchor/white running light has to be visible 360*, it has to be on a pole higher than any other structure, which includes consoles, windshields (I think) adn tops. Not sure about bimini's. T-tops therefore mount them up there, which eliminates the night vision issue.
INexperienced and absent-minded boaters will grab the anchor light and bend or break it, so take them down when you are almost at the dock!