Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

what kind of lights do you use to run at night? i bought some led lights at walmart, they are ok for docking but cant see very far ahead.

you can't run with lights on in most states. They are only used for docking. Running with lights on kills your night vision, and confuses other boaters as to what is actually on the water.

didnt know that

thanks

Don't know about the laws here in Illinois but I'll be getting some. I use my boat to get me to my camping spot on the Illinois River and installed two sets of the Walmart cheapies to light up the bank if I needed some extra light. For the first time I had to pack up and head home in the dark last month. Even just above idle speed it was scary keeping an eye out for things floating down stream for the 12 mile ride to the ramp. I'll be looking for some quality LED lights "just in case" I ever have to do it again.

Hand held spotlights are fairly common to check for suspect objects, but less light the better. Dim your dash instruments and GPS too.

Night fisherman with bright lights absolutely kill my vision, plus you can't figure out which direction they're heading.

Most GPS Fish finders have a night screen which is a huge benefit when running at night. Its also critical to take note of anything that might get in your way when you are leaving the ramp during day light. My factory docking lights seem to do a pretty good job.

Just another reason I don't boat after dark. I may know the lake very well, but I may not know about the log that just floated into the area from a recent storm. Or I may not know about the poor guy in the broken down boat with no power and no signaling device that sits dead in the water directly in my path. Nope, I'm the guy that gets back to the dock before dark -- I just feel safer that way.

But to each their own. Just stay safe.

my boat didn't come with docking lights. this is what i installed

Chopper, what brand of lights do you have installed? I'm looking for something like those that can be flush mounted, an asian carp just took out one of my cheapies!

A couple more thoughts about running at night. Lots of time I use my gps and follow my track back. At least I know I've been through there once.

As for speed, if I'm unsure, I'll creep along about 4 mph, but if I'm tracking back, maybe 8 or so.

I've read of more speeding boat hitting unlit docks and I don't want to be one of them.

bought them at walmart in auto dept

zoom,,,, i dont get in a big hurry at night either,,,,,,but i enjoy night cruising.

zoom650 wrote:A couple more thoughts about running at night. Lots of time I use my gps and follow my track back. At least I know I've been through there once.

As for speed, if I'm unsure, I'll creep along about 4 mph, but if I'm tracking back, maybe 8 or so.

I've read of more speeding boat hitting unlit docks and I don't want to be one of them.

yes... one of my main reasons for having a GPS, is in case i have to 'fly by instrument'.... whether on local lake, or unknown waters...


as far as lights on at night... i only run the red/green/anchor lights... i do carry a hand held spotlight, a rechargeable LED with a kajillion candleights. In 3 years, I've only charged it once, when new. also LED handheld flashlights are on board. i don't frequently night boat, but i do check the light frequently. the 'dock lights' on the boat are for just that... docking. i wish the factory hadn't cut thru the fencing to install them, i'd probably take them off the boat.

Think about using your smartphone GPS as a back-up. I've marked waypoints of the red channel buoys along my most travelled routes. We've been surprised by fog that quickly rolled in and having those buoys marked gave a bit more piece of mind as we slowly made our way back, as the 1M Candlepower spotlights aren't that helpful when it gets thick out there.