Navigation Lamps for Small Boat

Electrical and electronic topics for small boats
mfletch8879
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2016 11:55 am

Navigation Lamps for Small Boat

Postby mfletch8879 » Tue Jun 07, 2016 8:09 pm

Hi all, long-time lurker and first-time poster. Boston Whaler is my family boat, my father has a 21 Outrage, I have a 130 SPORT 50th Anniversary, and just picked up a 9-foot TENDER for my son. The boat has cleaned up really well, but it is missing the [combined sidelight lamp]. It has the wires coming through the bow and at the stern.

Which lamps to [use as replacements]?

If there were a switch or plug at the back, I'm debating about just filling the holes.

The [combined sidelight lamp]would be attractive.

Any advice would be helpful.

jimh
Posts: 11725
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: Navigation Lamps Small Boat

Postby jimh » Wed Jun 08, 2016 4:49 pm

The navigation rules for a small boats do not require extensive navigation lighting.

See RULE 23:

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=Rule23

...a power-driven vessel of less than 7 meters in length whose maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and shall, if practicable, also exhibit sidelights


There are many options for choosing a lamp to replace the missing ones on your boat. I'd browse the PERKO catalogue or visit a good boat store to see what looks like a reasonable replacement. You could spend $25 for a new white all-round lamp and pole, or several hundred on fancier lamps.

http://www.perko.com/catalog/category/navigation_lights_under_20_meters/

You can probably find even less expensive lamps if you go with some off-brand like SEA-DOG or other made-in-Asia stuff.