Nav Lights

[GrrBrr]

I just purchased my first boat, a 1999 Four Winns Horizon 170 with an outboard 2000 Johnson 115. I know very little about boats, hence why I've joined this forum. One of my first questions is what types of nav lights do I need? I attached a photo of the light port. Thanks in advance.

 

[Grubb56]

I am having the same problem. I have called all the local boat dealers and they all recommend replacing the outlet. but id sure like to find the lights for my plug. I have the front light I just need the stern below is a picture of what we need.

 

[JoLin]

Hi, guys. What you both really need is to take a basic boating course, preferably in a local classroom setting. I'm a member of the United States Power Squadrons, a national boating club with chapters throughout the US. Go to USPS.org and find your local chapter. Boater education is what we're about.

As for the proper lighting...

When underway in low visibility conditions, you must display bi-color lighting at the bow (red to port, green to starboard), and a white light at the stern which must be high enough to be visible to other boaters through 360 degrees. That combination of lights means something to other boaters, and NO OTHER lighting should be displayed when you are underway.

At anchor, the bow lights must be off, white light on.

Answer me this... You're running at night, and off to your right (starboard) you see a green light and a white light on another boat. What does that tell you about the other boat's course relative to yours? And, which boat is required to turn away if necessary ('give way'), and which boat is required to maintain its current course ('stand on'), in order to avoid a collision?

Take a class, guys. Don't become another statistic, or the guy who caused the accident out of ignorance.

All required lighting must be USCG approved for the size of your boat.

My .02

(as for your lights, GrrBrr's looks like it might be custom. Not sure about the other, but most are either Perko or Attwood. Suggest Grubb take that picture to a West Marine and see if he can match up the outlet. That'll tell him what brand of light to buy.)

 

[frankk]

I agree with the Boating Safety class, I have taken them 3 times most recently last weekend.
Back to your question. While I am a firm believer to try to stay with stock lights, remember that sometime you will need to replace them while in route. Usually in bad conditions and of course during the dark. (try it sometime as an exercise!) Replace with a standard easy to find bulb, replacing the entire assembly if needed. You will probably use LED now but... keep a spare (again see above for emergencies). I also use some sort of grease to the contacts to keep them from rusting. I also keep a voltmeter on-board but a bulb with two clip leads is as good when you are in need of telling if you have +12VDC aboard. Good luck, welcome to this group!

 

[GrrBrr]

I appreciate the responses and .02 offered. I will probably just replace the outlets with a standard rather than try to hunt for something that will work.

I also plan on taking a boater education course along with my wife so we have the knowledge needed to keep our family and others safe. I will probably not be out at night until I'm comfortable anyway, but want the boat to be prepared in case. Again thank you.