How To Install L.E.D. Lights in Bass Boat Rub Rail

A brief walk through of how to install l.e.d. lights in the rub rail of a bass boat. Note these do not meet Coast Guard Regulations for navigation lights. When you change or alter your navigation lights make sure you check if they meet regulations. This modification does not meet MD regulations for navigation lights.I still have my factory Nav lights hooked up. I have these for a back up . I would look for a stamped USCG approved LED system if you plan on running them all the time. If you have any questions please ask them in the comments.
I work full time and fish when I can. Primarily in the northern Chesapeake Bay tributaries for smallmouth and largemouth bass.
Give me a like or a favorite if you enjoyed the video. Thanks Guys!

[@jamessalter979]

I did mine with the sticky 12" LED strip from any auto parts store. They look awesome. Pull the rub rail out,flatten the rub rail with a razor, clean and stick. It took about 45 mins to do the whole thing.and they look good.

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

I got mine at a local auto parts store called Pep Boys. The brand is Pilot Automotive part # CZ-204 L.E.D. High Intensity

[@saqibmian2010]

Worked gr8 I went to advance and got 4inch led strips drilled a hole behind rub rail fill with silicone and wire up very easy and looks clean

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

Cool.

[@joeeoj1484]

Nice install but for a bicycle not for a real boat. The side lights are made in a way that the led or the normal light buld is in a case that allows a range of 112.5 degrees to be visible from each side and from 2 nautical miles distance so at night the other boats that see you to know in which direction you move and in what angle you are in comparison with them due to those 112.5 degrees. Those are anti-collision rules and are valid for every boat in every country no matter how much is the length of the boat. Please make things right and be safe at sea for you and the others too. PLUS they are illegal. cheers.PS: I saw some people in under comments sailing some led lights. Those are NOT NAVIGATION LIGHTS, they are just fancy lights to illuminate your boat and have nothing to do with NAVIGATION and Rules. I will say again, PLEASE be SAFE. ALL I say is in a friendly way. I just cant stand people getting injured and having accidents for silly reasons.

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

Thanks for watching.

[@Allison225merc]

A+ A1 First rate Top notch... You very my point.

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

Thanks

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

I'm thinking about doing them. Perhaps later this winter or spring I will add some Blue Water L.E.D.'s

[@bryanb3729]

Nice but navigation lights that are not US Coast Guard approved are illegal in most states

[@bodcaw26]

Pretty cool idea

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

Thanks

[@Allison225merc]

Very much on point...

[@UncleLarryOutdoors]

Cool and helpful vid!

[@tippy302]

Nice. You need to do the rod locker next.

[@chetlayne9050]

t

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

Cool install.

[@clewi1091]

Hi. Is this just for looks, or is there a practical application? Thanks for the video. Very nice.

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

You are required to have navigation lights on your boat. And yes this has some bling.

[@DonziGT230]

It's pretty cool, but probably won't meet the legal requirements. Never solder, use connectors like he did.

[@blbarkerbarker360]

Nice, looks like you have had these in a couple of years, how are they holding up? has any of the bulbs failed?

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

Dwight Barker I have not had any bulbs fail. I am very pleased with them. Thanks for watching.

[@morrisjoe2003]

The 112.5 is not a minimum range, it is a MAXIMUM range. could end up costing you thousands, ask my fishing partner. If I were you I would add a disclaimer stating that anyone modifying their boat lighting does so at their own risk. Because “NO” these lights are not Legal. My fishing partner found out the hard way. Now understand your local wildlife officer may or may not care that you are out of compliance with Coast Guard lighting requirements. But as my buddy found out after an accident the courts DO care. My buddy had installed the exact same setup that you have on your boat. Long story short: my buddy while night bass fishing was involved in a boating accident in which he was struck by another boater. From all perspectives at the time it was easy to see that my buddy had no fault in the accident. In fact the other boater was ticketed as being the at fault boater. But as things played out he came to realize during the process of litigation in maritime accidents, THINGS CHANGE when rule violations come into play. And the lighting that my buddy had installed onto his bass boat was found in court to be a direct violation of U.S. Coast Guard lighting requirements for many reasons. And as a result of his lighting install he was found to be 70% liable for the accident even though he wasn’t the at fault driver. You see in maritime law (USCG lighting requirements) if you deviate from the rules you have to prove without a doubt that your deviation did not contribute in ANY WAY to the accident. The courts found that his EBay lighting violated the requirements in a few ways. 1. The lighting did not have a USCG approval, which all boat lighting manufacturers must submit for and receive. 2. His lighting failed to meet the requirements of ABYC A-16, which states: Sidelights - The starboard side light showing green, and the port side light showing red, from dead ahead to 22 5° abaft the beam (90* + 22,5' = 1 12 5°) on their respective sides. You see the 112.5 is a MAXIMUM allowable range not minimum, and his lights exceeded that by what was determined to be 30 degrees to much. 3. The light manufacturer had never submitted the lighting for laboratory testing for USCG lighting compliance testing, another requirement for USCG Approval. The court determined that that my buddy had hazardously installed unapproved red and green LED strip lighting on the bow, which hampered the other boater’s efforts to avoid collision.

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

Thanks Sam for the info. I found that my original factory setup hindered my view. The manufacture had to raise it up off the front deck because of the trolling motor. I found the lights in the rub rail worked better for my field of view. I have reinstalled my old light to be compliant with USCG requirements.

[@rayosteen4339]

That sure is some straight drilling! :-/

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

Thanks

[@nitrojoeZ18]

Lol

[@JonathanRinny]

what is the Voltage of the Boat batteries? and what is the voltage of the LEDs?

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

Boat battery is 12 volts. LED's are 12 volt also. Did not see the amp draw on the LED's.

[@joepatz11]

where can I buy the leds from?

[@saqibmian2010]

Be careful if uts cild outsude !! If ur boats old rub rail will crack

[@glp1988]

How much did the lights cost?

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

glp1988 Its been awhile since I install the lights. I think it was about $10.00 a side. They may have been on sale or I have a coupon for 20% off. Check around a lot of companies selling lights. Check Blue Water LED. Thanks

[@gilb5710]

USCG Approved???

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

They are not a coast guard approved stamped product. I still have my factory Nav lights hooked up. I have these for a back up . I would look for a stamped USCG approved LED system if you plan on running them all the time.

[@motodaddy9367]

I'm sorry boss but that install is not a clean finish.

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

+urbina Thanks for watching

[@TheWorkingFisherman]

I got mine at a local auto parts store called Pep Boys. The brand is Pilot Automotive part # CZ-204 L.E.D. High Intensity