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Nav light not mounted dead center?

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:39 pm
by Matt
Hey all,

Earlier this year I removed my navigation light from the bow of my boat in order to install an anchor roller and jam cleat setup. Now that salmon season is upon us and I will be heading out regularly at O-DARK-30 I need to reinstall the light. My question is this, would it be all right to install the light off to one side, or does it (legally) have to be dead center in the middle of your bow? I was just going to put it off 6" to the left on the opposite side of the bow roller. My boat is small (16') and skinny so if you see the light, you should be just fine going to the port/starboard side.... right? It is legal to mount it like this, or do I need to get 2 separate lights and mount one on each side of the roller?

Thanks guys,

Matt

RE:Nav light not mounted dead center?

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:45 pm
by Amx
Is it high enough above the roller stuff? If not, get a light that is on a short stalk. You can also get one that has a socket that sets flush with the deck, then the stalk plugs into the socket. Then you can remove it during the day so it's out of the way. I leave the front nav. light in all the time as it's not in my way. It's about 8" to 10" high.

RE:Nav light not mounted dead center?

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:07 pm
by Amx

RE:Nav light not mounted dead center?

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:10 pm
by Amx
http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/sidelights.htm

"The requirements are found in the Navigation Rules, International-Inland, and in Parts 81, 84 and 89 of Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations."

RE:Nav light not mounted dead center?

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:19 pm
by Matt
Thanks for the info AMX. As I already have a light (the one I took off) and I spent a heft amount on my anchor setup I would like to avoid buying anything additional at this point. I saw some of those stock-style lights at Cabelas and they were like 50$ which is a lot to pay when I already own a perfectly good, working light.

RE:Nav light not mounted dead center?

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:19 pm
by Amx
U.S. Coast Guard

Navigation Rules

international - inland


http://www.boatingsafety.com/New_Folder/rules.pdf