ROPE rub rail insert and LED lights

[Bassman Ia.]

How to?

My thought is, if I undo starboard end on the transom, pull the rope ALL the way around to the port side ( just enough to install light) then cut the rope for the port light install light. Same thing on the starboard side. Now from center of the bow, I have 10 inches of rope running back and butting up to the light on each side.

The problem I see is keeping the rope from the lights back to the transom on each side tight. The 20 inch piece in the nose of the bow I can silicone.

Only option I see is siliconing 19 ft of rope in on each side. Suggestions?

[NWStratos]

Check out this video.

[Bass Cat Boats]

One note: These are not USCG approved for navigation use. Cool yes, will it be questioned... Who knows.

[Bassman Ia.]

That is a vinyl tube rub rail.

BCB, I plan on splicing into the factory wire loom. If a water patrol officer is not satisfied with these, I can always plug in the standard Nav. Light pole

[CatFan]

That is a vinyl tube rub rail.

BCB, I plan on splicing into the factory wire loom. If a water patrol officer is not satisfied with these, I can always plug in the standard Nav. Light pole

Problem is, if somebody runs into you at night. Imagine a lawyer telling a jury you replaced the approved lights on your boat with unapproved lights. You might be able to convince them you met the requirement, but maybe not. Burden would be on you, even if the LEDs are more visible that the ones with the USCG approval.

My understanding is that having the USCG approval places compliance proof burden on the maufacturer. You may still be perfectly legal without the approval, but it won't be assumed unless you can demonstrate it.

[Rip Bass]

Bass man,you going to install the old lights before or after he writes the ticket?

[coachallen]

I have mine wire so that I can use both at the same time

[firecap]

Question, why don't the led people get it approved.

[K.D.]

Question, why don't the led people get it approved.

Because it's expensive and people keep buying them regardless of USCG approval. in the automotive world people have sold things for decades by simply putting a disclaimer on the product saying "approved for off road use only". I'd expect something similiar to happen soon to absolve the sellers of any responsibility.

[Bassman Ia.]

Bass man,you going to install the old lights before or after he writes the ticket?

I suppose I could run em both. The Led's are much brighter.

[terry5357]

Did a little research LED strip Nav lights ARE NOT CG APPROVED! Clad I tapped into existing wires (I think)

[Bassbme]

I don't know about other states, but here in Ohio LED lights in the bow are legal on inland waters, as long as they satisfy distance of visibility and proper color orientation codes. Inland waters are not under Coast Guard jurisdiction.

Go on Lake Erie or the Ohio River and it's a different story.

I'm quite certain all states are not the same. But you may want to check if you're not going to leave your Coast Guard approved light receptacles hooked up as well.

As I some times fish on the Ohio River, I left my bow receptacle hooked up. The only thing I may see as being a problem is having both the rub rail lights and the post light burning at the same time. I keep black electricians tape in the tool box on my boat, so if needed, I'll just put some tape over the LEDs. Not sure if I'd have to do that, but figure it's a good plan to avoid possible confrontation with the Coast Guard about it.

[CxThree]

They look good and can be seen easily on the water. Its a matter of time before they are approved everywhere as many places have already accepted the technology.

When installing them, the main thing to do it take it slow and measure everything multiple times. Black silicone is your friend if you do cut a little too much and have a gap.

[twitch]

I ran my wires so I can use both and the EPO's around here love them said no problem everyone I've asked when I had the pleasure of coming in contact with them......I cut the rope where I wanted to put them then ilayed down a base of black silicone then installed lights have been on for 4 yrs no problems

[TheBurke]

I don't know about other states, but here in Ohio LED lights in the bow are legal on inland waters, as long as they satisfy distance of visibility and proper color orientation codes. Inland waters are not under Coast Guard jurisdiction.

Go on Lake Erie or the Ohio River and it's a different story.

I'm quite certain all states are not the same. But you may want to check if you're not going to leave your Coast Guard approved light receptacles hooked up as well.

As I some times fish on the Ohio River, I left my bow receptacle hooked up. The only thing I may see as being a problem is having both the rub rail lights and the post light burning at the same time. I keep black electricians tape in the tool box on my boat, so if needed, I'll just put some tape over the LEDs. Not sure if I'd have to do that, but figure it's a good plan to avoid possible confrontation with the Coast Guard about it.

Bassbme, you may want to double check that. I spent some time talking to our lovely water officers ( I like this term better) and they quickly replied no they are not legal at all... This isn't the first time I have heard conflicting information regarding this subject and being that I had a first hand reply of No... I will not being running them myself. I like to spend my money on what I want and not what others (I.E. Water Officers) penalize me for.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Here's the kicker, you can run both and be legal as long as they don't conflict with the opposing views colors. Green can only be viewed on that same side, and red as well.

Any use of green, red and white can not be in a conflicting manner. Yes our LED handrails are not legal for use at night. Cool factor on the LED Acrylic bars... again yes, though not legal for navigation.

We just confirmed this stance about two (2) weeks ago on a USCG site inspection. There is a plethora of opinion and the USCG put out a bulletin that addresses this last year we think.

[Bassbme]

Bassbme, you may want to double check that. I spent some time talking to our lovely water officers ( I like this term better) and they quickly replied no they are not legal at all... This isn't the first time I have heard conflicting information regarding this subject and being that I had a first hand reply of No... I will not being running them myself. I like to spend my money on what I want and not what others (I.E. Water Officers) penalize me for.

Interesting, because I was told by two Division of watercraft officers that they were legal on inland waters.

Also, since I know the laws aren't always what those that enforce them say they are, after I asked them, I checked the Ohio revised code just for my own peace of mind.

Instead of copying and pasting the entire code, I'll just post the number and one paragraph from it. The applicable code is 1501:47-2-23 Power driven vessels underway.

The paragraph: (C) A power-driven vessel of less than twelve meters in length may, in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (A) of this rule, exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights.

Paragraph A talks about the need for a masthead light at the bow. Since I have it pulled up right now I should probably print it out and keep it in my boat, just in case.

I think I will. lol

[CatFan]

All that paragraph is saying is that you need an anchor light and red and green nav lights.

The problem, particularly with LEDs is that they don't emit their light uniformly in all directions. There might be places where the light isn't visible a mile away. The worst spot for that is dead ahead.

If you look elsewhere in the document, you'll see the requirements for the sidelight. It must project an unbroken beam over 112.5 degrees, from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft of the beam. Like I said above, the LED might be perfectly compliant with that, but the burden of proving it is goes on you without a CG approval. It gets even messier since a light that mounts almost flush could be good on one hull and not good on another.

Interesting, because I was told by two Division of watercraft officers that they were legal on inland waters.

Also, since I know the laws aren't always what those that enforce them say they are, after I asked them I checked the Ohio revised code just for my own peace of mind.

Instead of copying and pasting the entire code, I'll just post the number and one paragraph from it. The applicable code is 1501:47-2-23 Power driven vessels underway.

The paragraph: (C) A power-driven vessel of less than twelve meters in length may, in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (A) of this rule, exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights.

Paragraph A talks about the need for a masthead light at the bow. Since I have it pulled up right now I should probably print it out and keep it in my boat, just in case.

I think I will. lol

[Cpcat]

I suppose I could run em both. The Led's are much brighter.

What I would do

[lamoon78]

They look good and can be seen easily on the water. Its a matter of time before they are approved everywhere as many places have already accepted the technology.

When installing them, the main thing to do it take it slow and measure everything multiple times. Black silicone is your friend if you do cut a little too much and have a gap.

They will never be approved because they do not and can not meet all the requirments to be approved.