Are they legal or not for freshwater vessels? Thought I would see what say the TFF. I really don't want to go thru the hassle of contacting TPW. I have heard conflicting answers and hoped a Game warden on here would respond and set the record straight. Anyone know the right answer?

The red and green navigation lights are required. If you mean forward facing white lights, they are not legal for continuous use when running because they make it difficult for other vessels to see the navigation lights. They can but used for short periods like a spot light and can be used when docking.

This is from the one game warden that I asked about it.

Are you talking about LED strip lights?

I sell navigation lights as you all know. The "rule" from the Coast Guard is that they have to be Coast Guard approved. With that said, it is a rule and not a law.
I no longer sell the strip lights as navigation lights. Now I carry the kind of lights the boat manufacturers are adding to the new boats manufactured with the exception of recessing them into the hull. The problem is it takes soooooo loooooong to get approval for anything with them. And it's expensive (legal fees).

Oops I think I put this in the wrong section...My bad. But yes the LED Strip lights.

Yup. I started the process and ended it. I now use the type lights on the new Rangers...even those were hard to position so that they met the USCG rule.

short answer is no, LED strips are not legal for USCG required nav lights

will you get a ticket? probably not but maybe

Not illegal. Breaking a rule, yes.

See what I mean

kinda like if they don't catch you running a stop sign its legal.

I wouldn't be too worried about the lights on the front of your boat but those blue lights that you put on your shallow water anchors that will definitely get you a ticket

May only be "breaking a rule" but as far as I've been informed, a game warden can ticket you for it....

please explain the difference between a TPWD regulation and a law

Bravo. Thanks for posting that.

As I said above getting a provisional patent is easy but getting a product USCG certified is a nightmare that will kill profits for quite some time. I chose not do a business that manufactured and sold products that violated USCG rules. I can't absorb the possible liability. That's just me.

In the future I will never consider developing a product that relies on getting approval from the feds. They don't have red-tape, they have a red wall.