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

[SteveWilson]

It's simple, either run legal or don't run your boat at night. I don't care what you do to yourself, but I do care when your actions endanger everyone else. It's my familly that is at risk when you run illegal. Since boats and planes can take any course they want it is very important for them to use proper navigation signals; much more important that using head and tail lights on your car. So your choice is to use the proper navigation lights or don't run your boat; no execptions.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Quote:

---

It's simple, either run legal or don't run your boat at night. I don't care what you do to yourself, but I do care when your actions endanger everyone else. It's my familly that is at risk when you run illegal. Since boats and planes can take any course they want it is very important for them to use proper navigation signals; much more important that using head and tail lights on your car. So your choice is to use the proper navigation lights or don't run your boat; no execptions.

---

I understand that boats and planes have free room to roam and that is why navigational lights are necessary, but to compare it to cars doesn't make sense. I would be alot more worried about someone driving down the highway at night without lights then I ever would be about a boat. Before you make that comparison think about how many cars are out on the highway compared to just a small number of boats on the lake.

[SteveWilson]

Quote:

---

I understand that boats and planes have free room to roam and that is why navigational lights are necessary, but to compare it to cars doesn't make sense. I would be alot more worried about someone driving down the highway at night without lights then I ever would be about a boat. Before you make that comparison think about how many cars are out on the highway compared to just a small number of boats on the lake.

---

I've read your posts and you feel hurt and defensive because no one is backing your actions. As for roads, think about it. You're vehical runs along a well marked, delineated path. Other drivers know where to look and it's likely that you'll follow the road. On a boat or plane you can pretty much go wherever you want. So it's much more important to run with proper navigation lights because that is how others can judge your path. I guess I don't have much time for folk's who knowingly break the law and risk everyone elses life so that they can feel a bit more comfortable, even when they know that what they are doing is illegal and unjustified. Just follow the law.

[iffwalleyes]

I think everyone just needs to calm down a little bit. I think that ELE understands what he did was wrong but I also realize that he is looking for tips on what he should do to fix the problem. Lets be helpful here rather than beating that old mare telling him he was wrong. He said right from the get go he knew it was wrong. Everyone needs to easy up a little here. I think that if you could find some kind of shield be it metal or plastic that you could slide up the shaft so that it directed the light up like previously mentioned that would be your best bet. A taller light would probably do it to. Just do something ELE to resolve your situation.

[treble]

Ely I have been on your side this whole time, I understand some people's points. Yeah its illegal, but I would have been doing the same thing and I would have came to the same place to look for some "advice" whether i got any or not.

[Note from admin: Your post has been edited. Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank you.]

[SteveWilson]

Ely starts in with the First of all, I didn't ask whether of not it is illegal, I know it is. I just thought in the specific situation it was for the better. Also, I wasn't asking for approval, I was asking what others would do or have done in this certain situation. Nor is this a speed issue at all, it is only a 25 horse and I don't even go full throttle." In his specific situation it would be better if he didn't operate his boat, not break the law and endanger everyone else. Tie it up and walk, use some electical tape or duct tape to cut down on some of the light (which might be illegal too) so that you can see, change your position in the boat if possible, have someone else drive, etc. The choice he made and has continued to make is just plain wrong and dangerous. Now if he wants to work on it, he should tow his boat (on a trailer) someplace at night without lights and try various things until he finds something that will allow him to see while operating the boat at the same time he's running legal. If for some reason he can't come up with a workable solution then his only choice is to not run the boat at night. Now, that wasn't so difficult was it.

[Note from admin: Your post has been edited. Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank you.]

[treble]

No it wasnt that difficult.....you should have just said that in the first place!