Do these LED lights guys are getting put in their rub rails on the nose of the boat legally replace the bow lights that are to be operating for before daylight or at night?

Well, in the strictest sense of your question, IMO, no. They are not yet Coast Guard Approved.
But, they should be, as they are far brighter and give you much more visibility of being seen on the water.
I have them on my rig but, I still have the mount for the front bow light as well.
I have installed a CG approved white anchor light on the top of my Talon that is legal. But the bow, that is another question.
For now it seems, it is up to the call of the GW as to whether you get cautioned/warned/ticketed.
Not a clear cut answer .....other than (as far as I know to date)...no.
BTW, I would not install them in the rub rail. Just some advice. I considered this and other positions as well, ended up mounting them just below the rub rail. You don't want to rub a tree/dock/?? and ruin your LED's.

Thanks Lee, but do they not get hit when you unload the boat on the front roller? I was kinda thinking above the rail?? But I do agree with your comment they are brighter. No problem leaving my front light in place just in case..

I mounted mine just above the rub rail.
Works great and are way brighter than the original. I also left the original base hooked up but haven't used it since I got the strips.
Beware, you will have everyone at the boat ramp asking you about them. Lol

My new Skeeter has it built in the nose just above the rail.

I have noticed most guys running 1ft. strips on each side.
I put 2ft. strips on mine. They pretty bright.
When you running down the lake you can see the marker buoys glowing as you get close to them. LOL.

I mounted mine just above the rub rail.
Works great and are way brighter than the original. I also left the original base hooked up but haven't used it since I got the strips.
Beware, you will have everyone at the boat ramp asking you about them. Lol


Danny, did you just buy some strips and install them yourself?

HT66,
I picked up the strips at bass pro for like $15 each and installed myself.
I drilled a 1/8" hole in the nose of my boat and tied into the rocker switch that my Bass Cat Cougar has on the bow control panel. Where the trolling motor receptacle plugs in there is a removable panel that allowed access to the nose of the boat. I siliconed the hole and it made for a very clean install.
Took about 15 minutes to do.

Like the Dr., I used 26" strips on mine.

Thanks Danny

I think the coast guard hesitation is due to lack of penetration in Inclimate weather and fog..

Ok Guys, this has been discussed plenty of times,

Here is a e mail I sent and reply from the US Coast Guard regarding the use of them

I was wanting to know about replacing the BOW light from the small pole light that came with the boat to LED lights in Green and Red in the Rub Rail of the boat. The LED's are brighter and can be seen from the front of the boat as well as the correct side the vessel is traveling. And can be seen a lot better for the direction of travel. If you have questions please call me

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Mark Hall <papamark82@yahoo.com>
To: "papasbaits@yahoo.com" <papasbaits@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 7, 2012 6:56 AM
Subject: Fw: WEB QUEST














----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Cappel, Philip" <Philip.J.Cappel@uscg.mil>
To: papamark82@yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, February 6, 2012 9:31 AM
Subject: FW: WEB QUEST






I am assuming that the BOW light you are referring to is a red and green combination light mounted on the bow. If this assumption is correct, there is no restriction on changing this combination light for individual red and green lights mounted on the rub rail as long as the lights are properly mounted and the overall white light remains one meter higher than the newly installed lights.



Phil Cappel

Chief, Recreational Boating Product Assurance Branch (CG-54223)

Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety, United States Coast Guard
Phone: (202) 372-1076 Fax: (202) 372-1908
E-mail: Philip.J.Cappel@uscg.mil

Web: www.uscgboating.org








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Well, not so far. I ask a lot of fellow fishermen about these and positioning before having them installed.
But, qualifying my answer, 'so far'. All things are possible....but I like the part about the lights being lower to the water.
JMO....Good luck rascal. Think you will be really pleased with however you chose to mount them. They really give you added visibility on the water to be seen.
Since I wanted lower voltage LED for the front, that's why I chose to go with LED on the rear as well. MUCH brighter, lower voltage and no dang bulbs to really worry about.
Just flipping a switch and required lighting is on is great.
God Bless

When you mount them above or below rub rail is the tape that comes on them strong enough to hold them? Or do I need to stick them on with something else?
If it matters they are Bluewater brand

Thanks

Not sure about BW brand, I have TackleSmith. That tape holds fine, just make sure you clean the area real good, and make sure there isn't any Wax residue.