Attwood Navigation Lights

Running lights are required after dark and in low visibility, and Attwood builds a deep line of sidelights, all-round lights, and pole lights to keep you legal and seen. This collection covers fixed and fold-down lights in both incandescent and LED, in the visibility ratings the rules require. Choosing right comes down to your boat length, the visibility rating, the light positions, and fixed versus removable mounting.

Match the visibility rating to your boat

Navigation lights are rated by how far they are visible, commonly 1-mile and 2-mile. The required distance scales with boat length under the navigation rules, so a larger boat needs the longer-range lights. Attwood lists the rating on each light, so match the 1-mile or 2-mile rating to your boat length and the rules that apply to you.

Sidelights, all-round, and stern

Sidelights show red to port and green to starboard, and Attwood offers separate red and green units or a combination bi-color light for the bow. An all-round white light covers 360 degrees for an anchor light or, with sidelights, the masthead duty on smaller boats. A stern light shows white aft. Make sure each position is covered and shows the correct color and arc.

Fixed or fold-down pole lights

Fixed lights mount permanently and are simple and rugged. Fold-down and removable pole lights stow flat for trailering, fishing, or watersports, then pop up when you need them. Attwood plug-in pole light bases let you pull the all-round light when it is in the way, which is popular on smaller boats and skiffs.

LED or incandescent

LED nav lights draw far less current and last far longer than incandescent bulbs, which matters on a small battery and for reliability. Attwood LightArmor and LED fixtures are a smart upgrade, though incandescent replacements are available to match an existing fixture. Match the bulb or fixture before ordering.

Mount where the light shows true

Each light has a required arc, so mount it where the hull, rails, or gear do not block the beam. A blocked nav light is as bad as no light, and carry a spare bulb if you run incandescent fixtures.

Not sure which Attwood lights your boat needs? Tell our crew your boat length and how it is rigged, and we will match the ratings, positions, and mounts so you run legal and visible.