I have an outboard runabout capable of cruising at 45 and it came with an all around white mounted on a pole that put it right at eye level, completely night blinding everyone on the boat. That's standard equipment on lots of go fast boats out there, no wonder they run into stuff at night.There are a number of lights for inflatables available, but attaching them intermittently is a problem and many are really dangerous, as they illuminate the boat in front of the driver (like those mounted on the motor) making it impossible to see ahead. Personally, I value my visibility over being seen.
I had an 18' Mako that I commuted to work in, when I lived in Charleston, SC. Returning from work the first night, I had to turn the running lights off, because the all-round white blinded me completely. Fixed it by turning it into a stern light and ran as though I was a sailboat. Never once hit a crab trap or any other sort of obstruction on the water in 3 years of nightly operation. Water Leo's didn't like it at all, no matter the practicality of it, so I didn't dinghy to work on the 4th of July or other times like that. One actually said to me that he pulled me over on the 1st 4th of July because he couldn't see me without the white all-round! Hum......I have an outboard runabout capable of cruising at 45 and it came with an all around white mounted on a pole that put it right at eye level, completely night blinding everyone on the boat. That's standard equipment on lots of go fast boats out there, no wonder they run into stuff at night.
Is this an urban legend? I've never heard of a speed being a factor in lighting requirements, it is always LOA and sail vs power vs oars.There has been many posts here that under 7 mph only an all round light is required. How after dark dink use do you plan on?
Now Jackdaw has accused me of having "guy eyes" meaning I can't see something right in front of me. With that said I could not find a reference to 7 mph. Rule 25 (d)(i) does say that a sailboat under 7 meters in length only needs a white light or a torch to light the sails. This is also not appear to be specific to the inland waterways.Nope, it's in the COLREGS and revised Inland Rules. Vessels under 7 meters in length and capable of no more than 7 knots only need an all around white light. Doesn't say it has to be mounted, but the illustration shows it mounted. Mines handheld. Bigger or faster need the red and green side lights.
Navigation Rules - Amalgamated(d) (i) A sailing vessel of less than 7 meter in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed in Rule 25(a) or (b), but if she does not, she shall [exhibit an all around white light or] have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.
Thank you, the nav rules you cited are not precisely the same as the nav rules on the USCG page I referenced.Rule 23 d II page 42 of the US Inland / International Rules book, and Rule 1 b II page 3.