Navigation light placement

[mbweimar]

Morning folks. Got a quick question. I'll be mounting my navigation lights on my 1752 Weldbilt this weekend and was thinking about mounting them on the sides of my center console for two reasons. One, it will keep me from having to run wire behind the gunwales to the front, and two, having the trolling motor mounted on the bow won't allow me to mount a bi-color light.

I have read FWC's and USCG's regulations on lighting requirements and saw nothing about placement. That being said I have seen several boats including Leon County's dive boat that have their navigation lights on the center console. I'd hate to get these things mounted and have to move them. So can anyone shed some light on this subject?

[charlie tuna]

I have a 18 foot Sea Ark Tunnel with a center console and the navigational side lights are factory mounted on each side. I have relocated the console forward a little, but they must be legal.

[mbweimar]

Thanks CT.

Sorry about the double post. I blame that on my phone.

[Flint River Pirate]

Miles, Mako mounts the nav lights on the side of the console on the Pro Skiff. It must be cool.

[zload]

As long as it meets the arc requirements as outlined here http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=na ... ent#rule20 you should be good... I think you are talking about sidelights so ...

(a) "Masthead light" means a white light placed over the fore and aft centerline of the vessel showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel, except that on a vessel of less than 12 meters in length the masthead light shall be placed as nearly as practicable to the fore and aft centerline of the vessel.

(b) "Sidelights" means a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side each showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on its respective side. In a vessel of less than 20 meters in length the sidelights may be combined in one lantern carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel, except that on a vessel of less than 12 meters in length the sidelights when combined in one lantern shall be placed as nearly as practicable to the fore and aft centerline of the vessel.

(c) "Sternlight" means a white light placed as nearly as practicable at the stern showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 135 degrees and so fixed as to show the light 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side of the vessel.

(d) "Towing light" means a yellow light having the same characteristics as the "sternlight" defined in paragraph (c) of this Rule.

(e) "All-round light" means a light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 360 degrees.

[mbweimar]

Thanks Dave. I was reading an article a while back about those Shark Eye nav lights like the ones Key West's use. Apparently they arent CG approved. That's my reason for double checking.

zload, thanks for the link. Looks like I'm in the clear.