Boat Lights

[racfish]

I fish the rivers quite a bit. Ive been noticing that sleds or drift boats dont run Bow or Stern lights while operating on the rivers even when its dark. Why?

[Amx]

2 reasons I don't run the lights in the dark

the stern light broadcasts a light that reflects off everything and limits your view and night vision.

the bow light reflects off the bow mounted electric motor and can acually sorta blind the driver, expecialy if the electric motor is white. I remade the bow light so it's much taller and so doesn't reflect off the motor now, and the new motor is black, which also helps a lot.

I presume the same for the river boats.

[ncwflounderer]

is it not illegal to run in the dark without lights?

[racfish]

Tom I see what youre saying. My stern light is up 2 feet. But the green and red bowlights are mounted towards the deck. While fishing the Sky yesterday in a dark foggy morning no one had any lights at all. Just wondering.

[Amx]

is it not illegal to run in the dark without lights?

correct.

[ncwflounderer]

is it not illegal to run in the dark without lights?

correct.

I don't understand AMX- are you saying it is not illegal to run your boat without lights when it is dark? I was asking a question

[Amx]

is it not illegal to run in the dark without lights?

correct.

I don't understand AMX- are you saying it is not illegal to run your boat without lights when it is dark? I was asking a question

correct means I was agreeing with you. Yes, it is illegal to run a boat at night without the running lights turned on.

[Norm]

Its a lot easier to see with out the lights on eventhough you should have them on. I always wait for first light because I dont like turning my lights on. My buddy has big off road lights on his sled that are sweet, makes being the first one to the whole easier.

[racfish]

I was talking the rivers not so much the salt or lakes. I would think on a sled it would help with stumps or boulders in the river.Wed I fished the Sky in dense fog. I would think amber or bow lights would make yourself more visible.

[dutchman2858]

First thing that jumps to mind as the holder of a USCG 200T Masters License: LIABILITY!! Before you head out without required lights first thing in the morning because, "Hell, it'll be light in an hour or so," think about attorney's fees, fines, and the lawsuits (to say nothing of your own hospital or funeral expenses) that will result should some yahoo come flying down the river using proper nav lights and T-bones your unlit boat. You WILL face some liability even if he was traveling too fast for conditions.