vehicle lights on boat

[tadpole86]

Was thinking about putting some lights on my boat the meet the regulations for fishing at night in case I ever wanted to do some catfishing. I also happen to have some extra car lights lying around and was pondering the thought of using them. Anyone thoughts, concerns, or experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LeviStevenson]

I think that the amount of power draw from automotive headlights would be pretty heavy...I am assuming that's what you are intending. But I have thought the same thing for river running at night. I use a battery powered led bow light and have had the same batteries in it for a whole season...and lots of night fishing. The stern light is an led as well but consumes more power....if you have a lantern I would use that at the stern. I built a bracket off of the outboard to hold it at regulation height. Works well and way more light than a regular stern light.

 

[Popeye]

Not sure about VA laws but I was told by the Illinois DNR that ONLY the red/green and white stern light are to be visible after dark. and that operating a boat with other lights (like your head lights) would be in violation unless you were using them to assist in docking. I do not have any reference to that and I got one of those remote controlled lights that plug into my bow light receptacle anyhow. Many times I motor out in the dark and don't feel like running into floating debris like a log or dead body or such.

As far as the Nav lights go, you could go with battery powered light. Never heard anything bad about them but I would bring extra batteries... just in case. You only have the 1 battery for the TM? No cranking battery?

 

[tadpole86]

For now only one battery but eventually two batteries. I was just pondering the idea and I appreciate the input. I should probably just hold off any lights and when I finally do it just put in the proper lights.