Transom light??

[jet]

Lets throw some ideas around about the platform light. What is the transom light for?? Light on the platform or for other boats to see you?? I feel a led conversion coming on or a total replacement coming on. I think I would rather get rid of that light all together and add a strip of led light or something?? You have any ideas floating around up there??

[dusty2221]

I replaced mine with red leds.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v235/dusty2221/DSC_0177.jpg

[jzelt]

Regulation would be for other boats to see you. I like the fact it shines light on the platform making it easier to see back there.

[jet]

Dusty, is that strip lighting or a festoon bulb? And what do yall think about the game warden liking these?? Leave the white light in there and add a 2nd light or do you think they care??

[wotan2525]

Stern light is only required if your mast-light is not viewable from the back.

[haugy]

Stern light is only required if your mast-light is not viewable from the back.

False.

Seeing the stern light and the anchor light lets other boats know which direction you are heading. Two white lights, one high and one low lets me know I'm coming up on the stern of a boat. Many large vessels only have one colored light on each side. So if you only see the green, and the anchor light........is it coming to your port side? Or leaving? Having the stern light allows you to know which direction it's heading.

Leave ALL navigation lights alone. Always make sure they are functioning.

[Jetlink]

So if you only see the green, and the anchor light........is it coming to your port side? Or leaving?Oh, I know this one...I am approaching it on my starboard side with the boat slightly ahead of me and crossing right to left...that was easy...

[wotan2525]

False.

Seeing the stern light and the anchor light lets other boats know which direction you are heading. Two white lights, one high and one low lets me know I'm coming up on the stern of a boat. Many large vessels only have one colored light on each side. So if you only see the green, and the anchor light........is it coming to your port side? Or leaving? Having the stern light allows you to know which direction it's heading.

Leave ALL navigation lights alone. Always make sure they are functioning.

Stern lights AND mast-head lights are only REQUIRED on vessels over 12M. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/WestAdvisorView?langId=-1&storeId=11151&catalogId=10001&page=Navigation-Light-Rules

Not disagreeing that it may be safer, but plenty of smaller power boats eschew the stern light for a high 360degree masthead light.

[haugy]

Stern lights AND mast-head lights are only REQUIRED on vessels over 12M. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/WestAdvisorView?langId=-1&storeId=11151&catalogId=10001&page=Navigation-Light-Rules
Not disagreeing that it may be safer, but plenty of smaller power boats eschew the stern light for a high 360degree masthead light.


And not wearing a helmet is legal in Florida. Doesn't mean it's smarter. I understand you're agreeing with me on safety. But what is the point of a Nav light? To be seen correct? Then why in the name of anything intelligent would you shortcut that? That's like saying, bolts aren't necessary on my plane's wings, I'll just use duct tape. There's no law against it.

Just because it isn't required doesn't mean it's smart to do it. Almost all of the bodies I've ever recovered from a night time boating accident were because one boat didn't see the other at night.

They do nothing to negatively affect the look of the boat, but they are very effective at helping others know where you are and which direction you are heading. Please don't condone or endorse short cutting common safety for looks. I know you're just stating what's allowed, and what isn't. But that in itself is condoning improper behavior to those who might read it, and aren't as experienced as others on here.

[jet]

ok, cool to know. Now I can start playing with that light now. lol. This never ends does it? lol

[haugy]

Ends? What does that mean? :D

[jet]

Believe me there going to see me after I light this baby up! My REAL question was did supra originally put it there as a platform light or was it a saftey light? Im plan on adding 2-light swithes. One will run all of my red lights and then I will have super brights (white) for cleaning, working and finding sh*t in the dark.

[wotan2525]

I'm a little bit confused here. You called me out for introducing false information and then agreed with me and then disagreed with me? For the sake of argument: Using duct tape to hold the plane wings on IS illegal, wearing a motorcycle helmet is up to you (even though I'll be wearing mine) and I'm guessing that most of the bodies that you've recovered at night were because someone was drinking AND couldn't see the other boat. Not sure that a stern light would have prevented that.

For the record -- I'm still not arguing that removing your stern light is SAFE. But I am trying to be clear about what is required and what is not. And I don't think that stern lights are common on small power-boats.

Additionally: I've never seen a fishing boat with a transom light. I've never seen an outboard with one. A quick search of current Natique, Mastercraft and Malibus doesn't show any current model with a USCG stern light.... And I believe that the Saltare is unique in that it does have one. Do any of the other legacy Supras have them? Any of the current ones?

[Jetlink]

Using duct tape to hold the plane wings on IS illegal...Only if the tape used is not FAA-PMA approved...lol

[haugy]

I'm a little bit confused here. You called me out for introducing false information and then agreed with me and then disagreed with me? For the sake of argument: Using duct tape to hold the plane wings on IS illegal, wearing a motorcycle helmet is up to you (even though I'll be wearing mine) and I'm guessing that most of the bodies that you've recovered at night were because someone was drinking AND couldn't see the other boat. Not sure that a stern light would have prevented that.

For the record -- I'm still not arguing that removing your stern light is SAFE. But I am trying to be clear about what is required and what is not. And I don't think that stern lights are common on small power-boats.

Additionally: I've never seen a fishing boat with a transom light. I've never seen an outboard with one. A quick search of current Natique, Mastercraft and Malibus doesn't show any current model with a USCG stern light.... And I believe that the Saltare is unique in that it does have one. Do any of the other legacy Supras have them? Any of the current ones?

I never agreed with you. I don't cite West Marine. I checked the USCG and it does agree with those statements. So I didn't bring up the legality of it. I was wrong. I went straight into why it's not smart.

Most of the time, believe it or not, the wrecks didn't have alcohol involved. The captains just never saw the other vessel.

And yes, my Comp had them, my Mariah had them, as well as the other vessels I've captained.

[DAFF]

Right or wrong I see it like this... Clearance lights on a trailers are red on the back and yellow on the front. Just like 99.99% of all vehicles out there. To me a red and white light on the rear would be confusing and cause me to second guess my first instint..... Boating at night is hard enough as it is and why ask for problems from the coast guard for nothing.

[Salty87]

Boating at night is hard enough as it is and why ask for problems from the coast guard for nothing.

i like this one best. most of us have probably come across water cops who are wrong on certain rules. they want to pull you over to see what else they can find. don't give em any reason. red & green colors have very specific uses in marine navigation.