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LED bow nav lighting
#12242402
05/12/17 09:53 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,169
Lee in Texas
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This may seem a dumb question but I have to bring it up yet again. (I'm hoping this is not a banned discussion....?? not sure) I'm sure it's been debated but, why in God's name are LED lighting strips (red / green) considered illegal and not in compliance with US Coast Guard requirements ? They are so much brighter that the old and much out dated light pole that plugs in a hole on the bow I know this is a very controversial subject but, mine have now ( I just discovered ) gone out and I wanted to replace them with a better quality LED strip set but I was advised to go back to the little plug in pole with the old red/green standard lights. ????? JMO, but this seems insane after having seen my rig and MANY others with the new and brighter strip lights....???? Is this just me ??? If so, what about all the others I have seen with them installed...????? Now we are supposed to rip them off the boat..... How are ya'll dealing with this.... God Bless Lee
Last edited by Lee in Texas; 05/12/17 10:29 AM.
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Re: LED bow nav lighting
[Re: Lee in Texas]
#12242437
05/12/17 11:24 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,169
Lee in Texas
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Well ya'll have a great day. Guess no one else is having this dilemma .......... just hate not using something that makes total sense IMO God Bless Lee
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Re: LED bow nav lighting
[Re: Lee in Texas]
#12242477
05/12/17 12:02 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,520
ssmith
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if strip lighting for bow lights something is not in compliance with coast guard rules it is illegal.
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Re: LED bow nav lighting
[Re: Lee in Texas]
#12242490
05/12/17 12:11 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,586
gary purdy
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I wonder because I looked at a new Ranger bass boat that had the red and green bow lights on the sides back 4 feet from the bow.
The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything. Remember what He has done and remember that He is not done yet!-- GOD IS GOOD
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Re: LED bow nav lighting
[Re: gary purdy]
#12242493
05/12/17 12:13 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,169
Lee in Texas
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Exactly, good point !! If this is 'illegal' it does not make any sense ???? Well, IMO thanks for your reply God Bless Lee I wonder because I looked at a new Ranger bass boat that had the red and green bow lights on the sides back 4 feet from the bow.
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Re: LED bow nav lighting
[Re: Lee in Texas]
#12242578
05/12/17 01:20 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,520
ssmith
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if it is on a new ranger installed from the factory you can bet that it is coast guard approved it take money to get something approved to be uniform an match their code most folks wont do that.
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Re: LED bow nav lighting
[Re: Lee in Texas]
#12242654
05/12/17 02:09 PM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,818
Curtbass
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
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The " legality" issue comes into play because of the angles that the lights have to be visible from front to rearward.This is what a GW told me. I asked him "What about running them WITH my bow light ALSO in? He said the "legality" of that THEN becomes an issue because of the "distraction". He also stated " With that being said, I personally AGREE with you guys! I CAN see them better! I personally am NOT going to issue citations for them unless there ARE more violations & the attitude of said offender is uncooperative, or I am instructed by higher ups to do so. " So there ya go, Take it for what its worth & be safe out there. You most likely WON'T have an issue over them, but if you do, you WON'T have a "legal" rebuttal to contest it. UNLESS you install CG approved lights that comply with the "visibilty angles" required.
Last edited by Curtbass; 05/12/17 02:11 PM.
ELITE POWER SYSTEMS/ Elite Fishing Products Lithium Battery & Charging Systems, Soft Plastics, Tackle,Tokyo Rigs Tight lines & stay safe out there.Gods blessings
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Re: LED bow nav lighting
[Re: Lee in Texas]
#12242688
05/12/17 02:29 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 85,931
John175☮
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I installed a set of the new USCG approved Ranger lights on my older boat. You have to position them on the front curve of your boat so that straight on you see red and green but moving off center to one side or the other you can only see red or only see green. They are not there to tell someone where the front of the boat is. They are an indication of what direction the boat is going and a requirement of the US Coast Guard regulations which the State of Texas follows for their laws. LED lights are not legal but it is unlikely you will be ticketed for them. Get in an accident with another boat at night and a lawyer...well not so certain he would ignore them. I hate seeing people tear up an otherwise good boat to put on a product that is not legal. https://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg545/alerts/1015.pdf
“Do not pray for easier lives. Pray to be stronger men.†-JFK
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Re: LED bow nav lighting
[Re: Lee in Texas]
#12242843
05/12/17 04:28 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,169
Lee in Texas
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Ok, question: Is Ranger the only manufacturer to have and sell LED bow lights ? I was really speaking of LED strip lighting ........not just a single LED red/green light. anyone ?
thanks ( I'm really tired of putting in and taking out that short pole lamp in the front that IMO does not offer as much visibility - not to mention have to find the dang thing each time and then stow it again )
God Bless Lee
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Re: LED bow nav lighting
[Re: Lee in Texas]
#12242887
05/12/17 05:01 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 85,931
John175☮
MACHO MAN
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Ok, question: Is Ranger the only manufacturer to have and sell LED bow lights ? I was really speaking of LED strip lighting ........not just a single LED red/green light. anyone ?
thanks ( I'm really tired of putting in and taking out that short pole lamp in the front that IMO does not offer as much visibility - not to mention have to find the dang thing each time and then stow it again )
God Bless Lee I do not know of any led strip lights anywhere, sold by anyone that are USCG certified including the ones sold to wrap around or stick on top the Talon. These are the green/red nav lights I bought for my boat. http://www.firstchoicemarine.com/p-14201...-pr-3572-1.aspx The USCG certified lights are not cheap. It costs good profit to get them certified. http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg5214/eqpt_approval.asp
“Do not pray for easier lives. Pray to be stronger men.†-JFK
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Re: LED bow nav lighting
[Re: Lee in Texas]
#12242970
05/12/17 06:01 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 236
D Miner
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
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LED light comes off those strips at with a 120 degree beam angle. So most of the strip lights mounted on the bow of the boat are not providing the required 112 degrees of coverage due to the curve of the hull.
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Re: LED bow nav lighting
[Re: Lee in Texas]
#12243119
05/12/17 07:35 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,681
Capt Craig
Extreme Angler
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There are LED navs that are legal and there are ones that aren't legal. As mentioned the angles listed by the USCG rules must be followed. You can find a USCG approved LED strip, but the location required to be in accordance with the compass degrees, may require to put holes in areas of your boat that are not the same location as where you pulled the standard navs off. https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--bi-color-bow-lights--15761570?recordNum=2http://store.marinebeam.com/uscg-certified-led-nav-lights/
Capt. Craig Copeland Licensed by the US Coast Guard
2019 Nautic Star 215 XTS Shallow Bay Boat Humminbird HELIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G3N Nautic Star Boats Pro Staff (nauticstarboats.com) Redneck Fish'n Jigs Pro Staff (redneckfishn.com)
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Re: LED bow nav lighting
[Re: Lee in Texas]
#12243211
05/12/17 08:59 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,957
Bob Landry
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It seems a little childish to me to want to go down the lake looking like a Christmas tree, but to each his on. The other side is that if a GW writes you a ticket for non-compliant lights, and they are unaltered factory lights, at least you have a defense.
2015 Seaark 1872 MV CC Etec-90 Two Helix 12 CHIRP SI's, , MinnKota Riptide ST80/i-pilot Link, Bob's Hydraulic 2020 Robalo R200 CC, Yamaha 150
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Re: LED bow nav lighting
[Re: Bob Landry]
#12243757
05/13/17 10:06 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,169
Lee in Texas
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It seems a little childish to me to want to go down the lake looking like a Christmas tree, but to each his on. The other side is that if a GW writes you a ticket for non-compliant lights, and they are unaltered factory lights, at least you have a defense. "Christmas Tree ???" well, guess you have not been on the lakes much, early or late that is. Seems there are more than a few who chose to be seen as for me, yeah...I want other boaters to see me. So be it God Bless
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Re: LED bow nav lighting
[Re: Lee in Texas]
#12244808
05/14/17 01:09 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,404
SteezMacQueen
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Bass Pro has a legal LED stern light now. It is mounted to a pole, like the original. It is brighter and has the advantages of led lighting. The housing the lights are in is traditional and removable. Best of both. IMO.
Eat. Sleep. Fish.
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