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Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: Flippin-Out] #13949501 04/06/21 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Flippin-Out
Originally Posted by Stratos2011
Just wanted to share some recent boat upgrades. Most important, not pictured i just added an Ultrex too. Where has this been my whole life.

Added side strip lights under the bump rail.
Added a ram mounted head light for idling stump fields in the dark. Its removable after the sun comes up
Added red and green nav lights
Installed new seats. Wanted originals shown re-upholstered but way too expensive so i bought new for WAY less. [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

You've done a good job of violating a number of applicable USCG regulations (also adopted into law by the state of Texas) on lighting. If you turn on any of those spotlights at any time other than when actually docking, you'll be subject to citation. (I understand that TPWD has issued warnings and citations for the trolling motor "docking light" when operated on open water.) Operating any light that may blind the night vision of another operator is illegal, and that's what those do. As for the side "lamp bar" lamps, those introduce confusion as to the orientation and direction of your boat. Even your after-market addition of the navigation marker lighting (red/green) is illegal. There are strict regulations as to the angle of visibility of the red and green, and that can't be controlled with any accuracy when the lighting is being placed in a curved rubrail. The color and intensity may not meet specification either. If you send your photos to the Marine Enforcement Division of TPWD in Austin, I'm rather certain they'll reply with the same opinion I've posted here.


All though his response is a "buzz-kill" to some "cool" mods.

It's the truth


#MFGA
Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: Stratos2011] #13949502 04/06/21 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Stratos2011
Originally Posted by BigDozer66
What are the specifics on the light bar and lights? hmmm

The guy I bought mine from had a Ram Mount on the front and he told me it was for lights I guess similar yours. cheers

BigDozer, what do you mean by what are the specifics? Are you asking how a made them?


Yes that is exactly what I am wondering. cheers


2016 Ranger RT188 Charcoal Metallic Dual Console
2017 Yamaha 115 VMAX SHO (VF115LA) SS Prop
Minn Kota Ultrex i-Pilot Link 45" 80 lb.
Humminbird Helix 10 Mega SI BalZout Console
Humminbird Helix 10 Mega SI BBT Bow Mount
Trick Step

[Linked Image]
Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: Stratos2011] #13949520 04/06/21 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Stratos2011
As far as the red and green, i see tons of boats with these done.

There were some posts a while back about these and I am not sure they ever came away with whether they were a legal replacement or not for the pole. It may have been answered and I just don't remember. Maybe one of the wardens will see and chime in.

Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: BigDozer66] #13949540 04/06/21 05:28 PM
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Stratos2011 Offline OP
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Originally Posted by BigDozer66
Originally Posted by Stratos2011
Originally Posted by BigDozer66
What are the specifics on the light bar and lights? hmmm

The guy I bought mine from had a Ram Mount on the front and he told me it was for lights I guess similar yours. cheers

BigDozer, what do you mean by what are the specifics? Are you asking how a made them?


Yes that is exactly what I am wondering. cheers

Originally Posted by BigDozer66
Originally Posted by Stratos2011
Originally Posted by BigDozer66
What are the specifics on the light bar and lights? hmmm

The guy I bought mine from had a Ram Mount on the front and he told me it was for lights I guess similar yours. cheers

BigDozer, what do you mean by what are the specifics? Are you asking how a made them?


Yes that is exactly what I am wondering. cheers

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Here’s what a purchased to do it.

Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: SAKS] #13949563 04/06/21 05:43 PM
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Flippin-Out Offline
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Originally Posted by SAKS
Originally Posted by Stratos2011
As far as the red and green, i see tons of boats with these done.

There were some posts a while back about these and I am not sure they ever came away with whether they were a legal replacement or not for the pole. It may have been answered and I just don't remember. Maybe one of the wardens will see and chime in.

When this topic came up that previous time on TFF, I spoke with the 2nd in command of TPWD boating enforcement (they have a department for this) in Austin concerning the rubrail solution. I was told "nope" not legal, and that they were starting to see this as an issue. If you examine the "pole" solution, you'll see that there is a divider that exactly lines up with the centerline of the bow. To each side, the port/starboard shields insure that the color for each side is visible from the centerline and to the side for exactly 112.5 degrees - 12.5 degrees past the point of being abeam the other vessel, no more, no less. This is the USCG regulation that Texas has adopted. Lighting in the rubrail has no "blinder" or shield to control its' visible angle from other vessels; it likely depends on the curvature of the bow, and where the installer places it. Regulations also state that all marine lighting should be USCG approved. I doubt that the seller of the lighting strips offered such approval. This isn't just a matter of enforcement legality either. Imagine the outcome of litigation if an operator with such illegal lighting were involved in a nighttime boating accident.

Last edited by Flippin-Out; 04/06/21 05:48 PM.
Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: Stratos2011] #13949568 04/06/21 05:49 PM
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Very nice,...well done!!!


Require a whole lot of luck...


Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: Flippin-Out] #13949570 04/06/21 05:50 PM
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Stratos2011 Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Flippin-Out
Originally Posted by SAKS
Originally Posted by Stratos2011
As far as the red and green, i see tons of boats with these done.

There were some posts a while back about these and I am not sure they ever came away with whether they were a legal replacement or not for the pole. It may have been answered and I just don't remember. Maybe one of the wardens will see and chime in.

I spoke with the 2nd in command of TPWD boating enforcement (they have a department for this) in Austin concerning the rubrail solution. I was told "nope" not legal, and that they were starting to see this as an issue. If you examine the "pole" solution, you'll see that there is a divider that exactly lines up with the centerline of the bow. To each side, the port/starboard shields insure that the color for each side is visible from the centerline and to the side for exactly 112.5 degrees - 12.5 degrees past the point of being abeam the other vessel, no more, no less. This is the USCG regulation that Texas has adopted. Lighting in the rubrail has no "blinder" or shield to control its' visible angle from other vessels; it likely depends on the curvature of the bow, and where the installer places it. Regulations also state that all marine lighting should be USCG approved. I doubt that the seller of the lighting strips offered such approval. This isn't just a matter of enforcement legality either. Imagine the outcome of litigation if an operator with such illegal lighting were involved in a nighttime boating accident.

How are these on the side of new Rangers legal? [Linked Image]

Last edited by Stratos2011; 04/06/21 05:50 PM.
Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: Stratos2011] #13949571 04/06/21 05:54 PM
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Ranger must have measured out the angle of viability and got them coast guard approved, which you could do as well, but getting them coast guard approved is tricky.


Woke up this morning
Got yourself a gun....
Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: Stratos2011] #13949577 04/06/21 05:58 PM
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Has anyone on here ever been stopped by a game warden for have these type of nav lights? [Linked Image]

Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: Stratos2011] #13949582 04/06/21 06:00 PM
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I did not start this to be an arse. I have added the LED red/ greens for my own safety. The factory skeeter lights on my 2019 are way too small.
I can not stand having docking lights on the water. If you use them, know they are far more penetrating than high beams on the road. If the other boats are 500 yards away, they will be affected by your lights.


Woke up this morning
Got yourself a gun....
Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: outfishdya] #13949613 04/06/21 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by outfishdya
I did not start this to be an arse. I have added the LED red/ greens for my own safety. The factory skeeter lights on my 2019 are way too small.
I can not stand having docking lights on the water. If you use them, know they are far more penetrating than high beams on the road. If the other boats are 500 yards away, they will be affected by your lights.

I didnt take it that way. I'm glad you brought up these issues. I would like to know some things. For the rope lights down the side, will i have an issue only using them while fishing, not running? For the head lights i will only use while idling stump fields. i will never have on while running the lake.

Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: Stratos2011] #13949626 04/06/21 06:23 PM
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Where is the eye roll emoji when you need it ???

Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: Stratos2011] #13949635 04/06/21 06:29 PM
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Yeh. They have regulations on lighting. But....who really cares. It’s your boat, your responsibility. I like the lights. I fish at night during weeknight tourneys and I’ve thought about adding them more than once. Just haven’t gone there yet. I’ve added some led lights to all the storage boxes in the boat and added white deck lights for retying. Livewell lights for catching the fish again. Just haven’t added a 52” led bar or anything.


Yet!.......


Eat. Sleep. Fish.
Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: outfishdya] #13949638 04/06/21 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by outfishdya
Ranger must have measured out the angle of viability and got them coast guard approved, which you could do as well, but getting them coast guard approved is tricky.

Taco marine has already done it. I have them. 100% legal with the USCG2.0 rating right on the light. They provide very precise measurements for you to follow during installation


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Re: Recent Boat Upgrades [Re: Stratos2011] #13949653 04/06/21 06:39 PM
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