The 10 Best Boat Navigation Lights
This wiki has been updated 18 times since it was first published in March of 2019. A set of navigation lights is one of the most important features for your boat, as they’ll help you navigate safely and be seen by other craft in the dark. A full setup includes one or more white lamps, along with red and green lights for port and starboard. Here we list the best options for the job, all of which are durable and meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Perko Removable Bi-Color
2. Attwood Deck Mount
3. Shoreline Marine All-Round
Editor's Notes
April 04, 2019:
The basic design for boat navigation lights has been around for decades. What’s changed, however, is that they’re now smaller and more resistant to water and corrosion. In addition, the advent of LED technology has brought on models that can go strong for up to 50,000 hours. Two such long-lasting LED selections that made our list include the red and green Leaningtech Marine and the bright, white Attwood 3NM.
For a compact, flush-mounted choice, look to the Five Oceans model featured here, which holds up to the elements, thanks to its stainless steel construction. Or, check out the Attwood 6566-7, which boasts sleek, polished housing that hides the fasteners.
No matter which you ultimately go with, make sure it meets U.S. Coast Guard requirements for your size of vessel. For instance, the rules state that for crafts less than 39.4 feet long, you need a white light visible from two miles away, and a pair of red and green sidelights (for the port and starboard sides, respectively) that are visible from one mile way. Longer boats require additional white lights. Be sure to know the laws and follow them, which will help you to stay safe and avoid hefty fines. In addition, if you have any doubts about how to handle the wiring, the installation of these lights is best left to a professional marine electrician.
4. Attwood 6556-7
5. Genuine Marine ABYC A-16
6. Attwood LED 3NM
7. SeaSense Combination
8. Leaningtech Marine LED
9. Five Oceans Flush Mount
10. Leaningtech 12V
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.