Boat head lights

[crappiepappy]

Actually .... YES, it is illegal to have forward lights/search lights/Q-beams/etc on "all the time" while running.

In fact, we had a rather "spirited" discussion on this very subject back in 2009 --- http://www.fishin.com/forums2/showth...ights-on-Boats

... pappy

[sweetwater]

Actually .... YES, it is illegal to have forward lights/search lights/Q-beams/etc on "all the time" while running.

In fact, we had a rather "spirited" discussion on this very subject back in 2009 --- http://www.fishin.com/forums2/showth...ights-on-Boats

... pappy

Headlights kinda defeat the purpose of navigation lights at night. Below explains the importance of using navigation lights only for the safety of all boaters instead of the safety of only the boat with the headlights.

To avoid collisions, vessels mount navigation lights that permit other vessels to determine the type and relative angle of a vessel, and thus decide if there is a danger of collision. In general sailing vessels are required to carry a green light that shines from dead ahead to 2 points (22 1⁄2°) abaft the beam on the starboard side (the right side from the perspective of someone on board facing forward), a red light from dead ahead to two points abaft the beam on the port side (left side) and a white light that shines from astern to two points abaft the beam on both sides. Power driven vessels, in addition to these lights, must carry either one or two (depending on length) white masthead lights that shine from ahead to two points abaft the beam on both sides. If two masthead lights are carried then the after one must be higher than the forward one.

[aps71285]

So is it illegal for me to use my lights at night for bow fishing?

[sweetwater]

So is it illegal for me to use my lights at night for bow fishing?

It's my understanding that as long as you are not underway it is not illegal to have a light on. Not sure about the bow fishing part. Back home in Bama we used to float clear flowing creeks at night in the winter time and gig catfish under a floating headlight. I won't go into the legality of that.

[kstonich]

I hate when boats come up the lake with their bright lights . My eyes are adjusted to the night and I can see relatively well, I get blasted by those whit lights and I go blind again until my eyes can readjust. Just happened on the east end of Cumberland to me last week. Maybe I have sensitive eyes.
I remember reading some where that the red/ green lights in the rub rail weren't legal either I as wanting o clean my deck up.

[luvtohunt]

That's why many dealers will call the docking lights and not headlights/running lights. Its always been my understanding that they should only be used when loading ur boat and not running on the lake. If you couldn't have any light, then fishing under lights at night would be illegal as well. The restriction to my understanding is mostly for when running.