Thought I would pass this along for what its worth. Was on Lake Fork last weekend and got checked by the GW - check went fine but we asked them about the LED strip bow lights and he said that the coast guard had ruled and they were not compliant with the regulation. He added that if you had the regular one he probably wouldn't make a big deal of it if you were checked but you never know about the next GW you meet.

Not sure how detailed the coast guard ruling was about the bow lights to see what current Ranger Boats light set up is good or not.

I�ve heard the same thing... I think it depends on each game warden, I guess it�s all personal interpretation

The LED bow lights that come standard on Skeeters, Rangers, etc. are enclosed and compliant. The strip lights are not.

Makes sense, I�m sure the boat manufacturers did their due diligence with research to make them totally legal.

Mike I have been checked twice and both times they didn't not bust my chops about my led strip lights.

Awesome, I just ordered some of the strip lights for mine.

Order Taco lights. They are mounted to the rubbrail and have the USCG stamp right on em. 2NM.

This ^^^

Comal County warden said "if you have them on when they are supposed to be on...and they are red and green and visible....I'm not gonna mess with you. There are much bigger infractions going on that I'm much more concerned with (BUI, no lights at all, too many lights, etc.)

The caveat....this is ONE warden....the next one may be in a bad mood and looking for a reason to nail ya. I'm torn about the rub rail lights. I like 'em...hate the post light....but....I hate tickets more!

I actually added led bow on my boat, surface mounted low profile. However, I also wired them in series where the main light socket still works, just incase I get a game warden who is having a bad day, Just pull out the light and install it if needed. Many boaters will make the mistake and cut the wires where the main socket no longer works.

There is a visual call out for bow lights, I don't remember exactly something like 290' degrees. You normally won't get that on a homemade install. I've had the LED strips in hand now for over a year, can't make myself use them. I'll stick with bow pole lite, I know it's legal, to risk a ticket to look cool, and they do look cool granted, not worth it, and cutting my rub rail, uuuummm no

The wardens we chatted with said the same thing - wouldn't make big deal about it - they didn't say anything during the check we just asked them because we were curious - of course it was daylight also -

Don't doubt the rangers/skeeters are legal but doesn't make sense to me about "enclosed" since the led lights in a strip are enclosed in a clear plastic cover it looks like.

I fish Lewisville's Friday night tournament occasionally and when your headed back in after dark there are so many shore lights its hard to see regular running lights but the led strip is pretty easy to see.

I had one tell me not legal on Welsh and a few other GW told me that also.

I have been check on other lakes and they never said anything about them.

I agree they are lots brighter than the others.

Is there anything in the TPW book on it ?

TPWD requirements:

Navigation Lights

Power Driven Vessels Underway: Power driven vessels of less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.) but more than 12 meters (39.4 ft.) shall exhibit navigation lights as shown in Figure 1. Vessels of less than 12 meters in length, shall show the lights in either Figure 1 or Figure 2.

Manually Driven Vessels when Paddled, Poled, Oared or Windblown

• A sailing vessel of less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.), while underway shall exhibit sidelights and a sternlight which may be combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.
• A sailing vessel of less than 7 meters (23 ft.) shall, if practicable, exhibit the sidelights and a sternlight, or shall exhibit at least one bright light, lantern or flashlight from sunset to sunrise when not at dock.
• All other manually driven vessels may exhibit sidelights and a sternlight, or shall exhibit at least one bright light, lantern, or flashlight from sunset to sunrise when not at dock. In vessels of less than 12 meters (39.4 feet), white lights shall be visible at a distance of at least two (2) miles. Colored lights shall be visible at a distance of at least one (1) mile. "Visible" when applied to lights, means visible on dark nights with clear atmosphere.

I installed Blue Water LED's into my rub rail and they clearly state on their website that they are not Coast Guard approved. Haven't had my boat out in darkness yet so only time will tell.