why are we muddying the water here? point is, technically you can get a ticket from a TPWD game warden if you run non-USCG approved nav lights - which is what most, if not all, aftermarket LED strip lighting is

You asked for the difference between a TPWD regulation and a law.

Talk about muddy water.

oh fouz, you try so hard

Not really hard at all, but thank you.

Legal or not, against the rules or not, why use lights for navigation that aren't fit for that purpose? Your red and green lights being shown at the proper angles allow someone to tell exactly which direction you're headed, when viewed with your all-round white stern light. Seems to be common sense of safety to me.

� 31.064. Lights
A vessel or motorboat when not at dock must have and exhibit at least one
bright light, lantern, or flashlight from sunset to sunrise in all weather. A vessel
or motorboat when underway between sunset and sunrise in all weather must have
and exhibit the lights prescribed by the commandant of the Coast Guard for boats
of its class. No other lights that may be mistaken for those prescribed may be
exhibited.
Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, � 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg.,
ch. 422, � 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993


This is a LAW that defers to USCG regulations for a definition. So I think for the context of running powerboats in Texas waters, non-USCG approved nav lights are illegal

Here's some logic combined with rules/law:

If you run an older boat that doesn't have LED lights, then I think it's wise to replace/add LED lighting, but do NOT go overboard. Add the required red/green on the bow and a white at the rear. LED lights are so much more visible than the older bulbs, especially the white.

I cringe every time I see an older boat sitting on a dark lake with their old lights on. They are so dim compared to an LED light. You can easily get accustomed to looking for bright LED lights while running in the dark, and it's very easy to miss the old school type when scanning the area ahead of you.

If you run a newer boat that is already equipped with LED lights, there's absolutely no need to pimp it out further by adding more lights. It only confuses others.

Oh hell......

I had a boat with 2 white headlights driving straight at me on Friday night at Lewisville. I couldn't tell which side of me he was passing on because I couldn't see his colored lights at all. I had to kill it and let him pass. He needs a ticket

I will stick with my factory 16year lights. I know they are legal.

I get blinded by these aftermarket LED strips. When your eyes are adjusted to low light, the lit up boats are too bright and make it hard to see.

Illegal