Nighttime Navigation Lights for PWC: WCJ Quick Topics

This Quick Topic segment was taken from our full-length podcast titled "How You're Killing Your PWC Without Even Knowing It" and can be viewed in its entirety HERE: • How You're Killing You...
And please subscribe to our KZbin channel!
You can also follow us HERE:
Facebook: / thewatercraftjournal
Instagram: / pwcjournal
Twitter: / pwcjournal
And please visit our sponsors' websites:
Sea-Doo: www.sea-doo.com/
Slippery: slipperywetsuits.com/
Windrider: windrider.com/
GoPro: shop.gopro.com/
#pwcjournal #navigation #nightops

[@craigaustin4779]

Navigation lights aren't necessarily for night time, it is also just for low visibility. You may not go out at night or plan on coming home after dark, but stuff happens and plans change and they don't hurt at all. Be prepared.

[@watercraftjournal]

We’ve been caught in thick Pacific “marine layer” haze that was impenetrable to see through.

[@craigaustin4779]

@@watercraftjournal Lake Ontario throws some very dense fog at this time of year, you could easily take hours to cover a few kms taking you well into dark conditions, especially if you are towing or being towed. There are no fines for having lights, whether night riding is legal or not, I don't think they are penalizing preparedness yet, but maybe. I have watched many fireworks shows from the water and really appreciate being highly visible, my Yamaha spout is bright white with led lights aimed at it. Police have said it works great, so have other boaters.

[@claudei6072]

Agree - it ALWAYS pays to be be more visible on the water. Dawn or dusk, late back to the dock, breakdown on the water, being towed, towing someone else. My life or a ticket? Easy choice. There’s NO law that restricts having or using navigation lights on a PWC. Your life may depend on them.

[@gregfaucher6338]

Very interesting. I didn’t know there were states that allowed nighttime PWC use. We have our Sea Doos on the Hudson River in NY and I can’t imagine being out there at night. There’s literally telephone pole size trees floating in that river.

[@watercraftjournal]

Same in many states. Again, it all depends on the state or province.

[@craigaustin4779]

Nobody suggests high speed operation, usually 10 mph or much less. Visibility never hurts.

[@racerx2084]

Driving fast at night is scary even in a boat. Even with a gps and radar you have to know your water, boat n other surroundings. A buddy pulled up to a restaurant on the water by me n took me for a spin in his 16”ish hydrostream with a jackplate n modded Bridgeport motor. He pulled out a spot light that showed everything but when he stomped on the pedal, yeah it had a foot pedal, we were doing about 85mph. I couldn’t wait to get back to the dock. Luckily he did 1 pass like that. If it was daylight it would have been awesome but the darkness through it into another extreme.

[@watercraftjournal]

YIKES!

[@asmckellar]

NC resident here. Can confirm that pwc operation is NOT allowed on state waters between sunset and sunrise.

[@randylovato7888]

That depends on the state. I live in Arizona and it IS legal as long as you have nav lights. Each state is different in that law

[@watercraftjournal]

Exactly. Our initial article was too “wide sweeping” as states have amended their individual laws pertaining to nighttime use.

[@Ghoststalker777]

Navigation lights are required by law in Ontario on PWC'S if used before sunrise or after sunset which is a good idea if your running late or plans change. Just take it nice and easy getting to your destination and don't Hot Rod it. In Owen Sound just at the bottom of Georgian Bay people fish in the dark especially when the Salmon Spectacular Fishing Derby is happening near the end of August. I've had to send people out to rescue boaters that stayed out well after dark when they ran out of gas.

[@watercraftjournal]

Wait until Sea-Doo offers them on future Explorer Pro's.

[@kennedyjr7169]

This is such a bill S! How in the hell kayaks can be used at night but no jet skis GA

[@watercraftjournal]

Because kayaks don't go 65mph.

[@misters2837]

@@watercraftjournal Yeah, but they also don't have lights (at least I have never seen any equipped, and I night fish weekly)....My old Runabout looks like The "Northwestern" with 20 Spot/Flood/Trapezoidal Beam LED Lights forward facing PLUS Two Whelen movable LED Spot lights, going 15MPH because I am afraid of hitting some canoe or kayak floating along night fishing, without so much as a Reflective Vest on!....So now THEY are the log in the water Mr. Bayliner with more money than brains runs over at 50MPH in the dark! - I would rather see PWC's with lights than engineless crafts without any at all....

[@daveflintstone]

dude, just to remind you, you have a great channel that is viewed internationally. I'm watching from Panama. No problemo with any laws for night riding where I am. Pretty much no problemo with any laws regarding operation at all 🙃

[@watercraftjournal]

Yet we're talking PREDOMINANTLY to the US audience, which consists of 80-85% to total PWC sales worldwide.

[@jhickox]

I just want to push pole around my fish pro to flounder gigging at night. But, I live in FL now. And I couldn't image the anxiety of being on turd lake (Old Hickory) at nite in that mine field.

[@codesharp28]

I'm going Island hoping in the GNW Puget Sound. I have two VX limited. I bought 2 sets of strap on red green and white led with sos patter strob and steady. Plus high power head lamps for directional view. Additional white to back of ski. Incase I get toss I'm illuminated and change patter to sos. The ski will be visible by a 5:52 white led on tail. Just recieved the kit. Got air horns whistles and go clip to vest as well. All to enjoy sunsets and or 4 Th of July in Tacoma water front to cruise back a hour 15 20 mp at least. Your thoughts?? I'm doing regardless water cops or rules.

[@joeb9135]

so what if I live in oregon it's legal. do I drill install

[@craigaustin4779]

Would you rather be visible if out in the lake or not?

[@watercraftjournal]

Certainly!

[@waterwonderland5667]

I drive our 50 footer in Southern CA (saltwater) at night on occasion...but I have radar and I'm constantly looking for other boats and objects. Not everyone out there runs lights (mostly kayaks or dinghies) or they forget to turn them making it more challenging. PWC's will have even a more difficult time since they lack radar (there's a product idea for someone). Also, it can be extremely difficult to find a passenger that has fallen off in the dark...which can be compounded by the lack of a flash light or VHF radio to call for help. As a large boater for many years and a PWC owner (2022 GTX Limited - not green one), I recommend not going out at night - it's just not as fun and safe (my opinion). But if you have to, use nav lights (turned on), keep a flash light on the ready (signal boats that don't see you, finding passenger, etc), use lift jacket with a light attached, and go really slow.

[@watercraftjournal]

Good advice!

[@LifeBeginsOnTheWater]

Wow, sleeping on a jetski over night. Specially not prepare for it 🥴. I have to say that would be a new experience for me. I would possibly cry like a baby Kevin if it was out in the swamp/marsh areas of Louisiana. Have you seen the sizes of the mosquitoes 🦟 we have 😬

[@watercraftjournal]

LOL! I know, right?!

[@AlexMcMeeken]

NC and SC do not allow PWC operation between sunset and sunrise.

[@joeb9135]

love the fish pro.

[@watercraftjournal]

Cool

[@kolesplace]

You don't want to get caught out there overnight. That is where those Chupacabras are known to be.

[@watercraftjournal]

The Mexican Goat Sucker? Nah. Now Sasquatch? You betcha.

[@songiv850]

Not necessary operating at night but morel in the foggy days so the big boats don't run you over while fishing

[@ClubMayview]

Never heard of this in the USA

[@watercraftjournal]

What? Navigation lights?

[@ClubMayview]

Jet Ski allowed on the water after dusk.

[@watercraftjournal]

It is in several states but only with the proper safety equipment.

[@craigaustin4779]

@@ClubMayview why different than any other boat? Jet power? Only 3 seats? It's is an open transom runabout in many jurisdictions.

[@joeb9135]

legal in oregon

[@joeb9135]

bs on blazingly fast up rivers in oregon.

[@watercraftjournal]

Huh?