Quote Originally Posted by crappiepappy View Post
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.