Lighting

Navigation lights are a legal requirement, not a style choice. Your boat’s length and type determine which lights you need and the visibility distance (in nautical miles) they must meet under the navigation rules. When replacing nav lights, confirm the replacement is Coast Guard / COLREGs compliant for your boat size — a non-compliant light can be both unsafe and a citation.

LED has largely replaced incandescent for good reason: LEDs draw a fraction of the power, run cooler, and last far longer, which matters on a boat where battery capacity is limited and bulb changes are awkward. When upgrading, check that the fixture or bulb is rated for marine use (sealed against moisture) and, for nav lights, that the LED version keeps the required brightness and color.

For everything else — cabin, cockpit, spreader, courtesy, and underwater lights — prioritize sealed, corrosion-resistant housings and warm, glare-free output for interior comfort. Position task and spot lighting where it helps you work without killing your night vision.