I turned my light off a couple of times so I could see past the shadows thread

[Ely Lake Expert]

I do alot of night fishing. I have the proper lighting and use it when I am just drifting or trolling, but when I stick the big motor in to go to a different spot I unplug the white rear light and keep the red/green light on. When I get to my next spot I plug it back in. I know this is slightly illegal, but I have a good reason. The only reason I do this is the fact that it is so bright that I can see 5 feet in every direction clear as day, but I can't see anything past that because of the shadows and the sheer darkness of night. I otherwise have great night vision without artificial lighting and shadows. IMO I think it is more important for me to be able to see where I am going than for other boats to see both of my lights. Especially with all the reefs, weedbeds, and islands on Ely lake. If I ever do get stopped I will definately let them know this point of view. I guess I am just looking for a little feedback on what you guys think about this.

Thanks,

Ryan

[Valv]

Try to get a newer style light, and possibly very tall, it will help immensely. I bought one at F.Farm (yes I do buy boat parts somewhere else, sometimes) and it has a black lower section that helps the glare, also you can adjust the angle of it to help night travel, never had any problem.

If you get caught with no light it's a very steep fine, and most important it is very dangerous for you and other boats since they cannot see you or indetify you correctly.

Slow down and take your time, it will save your life or somebody else's.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Thanks for the input valv, the light really isn't very old at all actually. I just think that it is more important to see clearly with 1 light on than it is to drive blindly though the night with both light on.

[ChuckN]

I wouldn't call it being safe.

Everytime I've been on the water at night this year there is an instance where the only light I see on another's boat is the rear tower white light. I like to see boats when I can hear them for safety sake.

If I can't see, I pull out my corded or cordless 1 million candlepower spotlight.

One night my wife and I counted 3 boats we buzzed by with no lights until we were less than a 1/4 mile away. Spotlights get their attention.

[BobT]

First, you are not "slightly" illegal, you are just plain illegal.

Do you still get the problem when you wear a brimmed hat? I would think that the shadow cast across your eyes should take care of the problem.

Even without the brim, with the light behind and/or above you, such that it is not shining directly into your eyes, it shouldn't be a problem. Stand next to a campfire facing the flame and you can't see past it. Turn so your back to the fire and your eyes will be able to adjust and in fact, the light cast from the fire should improve your vision, not hinder it. Same is true for the anchor light.

I have seen many times on the water where the anchor light is removed while anchored while the bow lights are left on. I imagine it's because the light tends to attract insects but this is a dangerous practice because the bow lights are only visible for 120 degrees on either side whereas the anchor light is visible from 360 degrees. I have nearly rearended boats because of this.

Please, turn on your anchor lights! The bow lights are only required while under way but the anchor lights are required at all times.

Bob

[Ely Lake Expert]

I guess I kind of left something out. Once I turn the white light off, I use a big maglight to shine in front of me to see where I am going. So other people/boats will see where I am. The thing is, I don't think the maglight counts as the second light you need on the boat.

[Fishin4Life]

I agree that you should have that anchor light on all the time. Sometimes if you are coming at such an angle toward someone that they can't see your bow lights, that anchor light stears them clear. If you don't have that, you have a substantially increased risk of having a deadly collision at night. It sounds as though you may be over running your vision with the speed of the boat? I know this is very common on snowmobiles, over running the headlights...Maybe not, just my two penny's

[Fishin4Life]

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I guess I kind of left something out. Once I turn the white light off, I use a big maglight to shine in front of me to see where I am going. So other people/boats will see where I am. The thing is, I don't think the maglight counts as the second light you need on the boat.

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Mag light isn't 360 degree's, so no wouldn't count, would't allow all boats to see you either.

[Ufatz]

It is not -slightly illegal-it is illegal. If your vision is being restricted or eliminated by your stern (anchor) light you;kk have to do something to adapt it so white light is not flooding downward so much. I understand what your problem is but it simply is not a good idea, and a violation of internatioanl agreements, to run around without it at night. And it won't do you any good to -tell them about it- if you're stopped. It probably isn't likely you'll have a problem, but there has to be a fix for this. Valve is right.Sounds to me like you just need a taller mast on your stern light.

I agee that running the way you describe would be annoying.But jeeeze....I

d hate to gamble on somebody being able to see me and identify my correct course.

[Ely Lake Expert]

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First, you are not "slightly" illegal, you are just plain illegal.

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Ok, you are right about that.

[Ely Lake Expert]

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I agree that you should have that anchor light on all the time. Sometimes if you are coming at such an angle toward someone that they can't see your bow lights, that anchor light stears them clear. If you don't have that, you have a substantially increased risk of having a deadly collision at night. It sounds as though you may be over running your vision with the speed of the boat? I know this is very common on snowmobiles, over running the headlights...Maybe not, just my two penny's

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Fishing4, It is not a speed issue, it is only a 25 horse on a 14'. I am not overrunning the light. Someone hit it right away that I just need a taller light and I think that would make a difference. I think the most of the glare comes off the metal interior of the boat and shine back in my eyes.

[stmichael]

You could try and diffuse the light a bit. My outlaw used to use a dixie cup to put over the light, you can still see and other boaters could see you as well. I do not think that a dixie cup will go over the style of light you have but, this may give you an idea to try something else.

[Fishin4Life]

Ahh, that makes sense.

Did you read the post on how fast these little boats can go, Maybe yours can do 40 like that one guys. LOL j/k

[cold one sd]

I have seen an attachment for an anchor light that is fairly large in diameter and flat that goes on under the anchor light and creates a shadow under it so you can see where you are going. It also doesn't cause it to be less visible to anyone else. I just can't remember which catalog I saw it in and it was a couple of years ago.

[Ely Lake Expert]

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Ahh, that makes sense.

Did you read the post on how fast these little boats can go, Maybe yours can do 40 like that one guys. LOL j/k

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Only my duckboat goes that fast , thats for a different subject though.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Not to justify my driving short distances without the white light, but if the other boats have their lights on, I will never come near them.

Other boats aren't even my biggest concern, it is the rockpiles everywhere I worry about.

Honestly, I am usually the only boat out there at night and it is short distances.

[SteveWilson]

Go with a taller light. If this doesn't work for you then don't drive your boat at night, you're a danger to navigation and are risking everyone elses life.

[Ely Lake Expert]

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Go with a taller light. If this doesn't work for you then don't drive your boat at night, you're a danger to navigation and are risking everyone elses life.

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I only posted this to get some feedback, not to get people mad at me. I really don't think I am a danger at all, nor am I risking everyone elses life. Especially at 15mph and I only have done this in the past with the intention of being safer.

[Note from admin: Please read forum policy before posting again. Please note your violation of the law is very dangerous. Pay attention to the advice given here rather than making so many excuses.]

[nofishfisherman]

You wanted input, and you got input.

Driving without a light no matter the reason is not safe. No way to justify it, taking the light out shouldn't be considered an option.

[ratherbefishn]

Quote:

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You could try and diffuse the light a bit. My outlaw used to use a dixie cup to put over the light, you can still see and other boaters could see you as well. I do not think that a dixie cup will go over the style of light you have but, this may give you an idea to try something else.

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That works great!! I do that to keep the mayflys and other little critters away as much as possable! Even a plasic cup would kill alot of the glare you are getting!

I see boats about every night running with olny one or no lights on P2 and give them the same spot lite shot but they all still run dark Prutty risky when there are a number doing this at the same time!! Quite a few are dingies and some nights its hard to see very far in front of ya! But Im sure they can hear them right

[Ely Lake Expert]

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You wanted input, and you got input.

Driving without a light no matter the reason is not safe. No way to justify it, taking the light out shouldn't be considered an option.

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I am not trying to justify it and I do appreciate the input and suggestions.

When I have done this in the past, it was the difference between being able to see and being blinded.

[nofishfisherman]

I would say I would give you a pass on the first time this happend becuase you probably didn't realize you would be blinded by your own light.

The second time though you would have known it would blind you and you should have figured out a way to prevent it from blinding you before going back out at night.

Thats just the way I feel, I am not mad about it but it seems like you are looking for people to say you are justified in doing this and that its ok. You probably won't find people willing to do that.

[Valv]

E.L.E. you asked and opinion about being illegal, and you've got the answer: don't do it

Nobody on this site with a little common sense will suggest you to break the law. We ALL fish at night, I do it extensively too, but if I cannot see I back out the throttle.

If you are convinced that your action is correct, then don't argue with the replies, just keep doing what you are doing.

Do you want to see at high speed ? Heck install a couple of Hella driving lights and you'll see for miles, better yet get a set of night vision goggles and you won't have any problem.

There is always a solution to a problem without breaking the law, in your case going slower is the best and cheapest one.

[Ely Lake Expert]

No, I am not just looking for someone to tell me it is ok. I really was looking to see what everyone else would do in this same situation. Also, it is not like I have been doing this for years. I have had to do this 3 times this summer. When I use my parents boat(which I do alot) this is not an issue. I just really didn't want to go out and spend more money not knowing if it would solve the issue. I do appreciate the good input and suggestions.

So, I am going to look into this further and do what I have to do.

[cold one sd]

Just a suggestion. Take the lid of a paint can or something like it and put a hole in it large enough for your stern light to pass through. With tape and a hose clamp or whatever you want, place it right under the anchor light and fasten it there. I bet it will look like heck, but solve the problem. All you need is something large enough to cast a shadow over your entire boat. When you think about it, it doesn't take all that much considering the size of the anchor light. It would have to be better than t boning someone in the middle of a lake.