Check the NavRules http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navru...les/Rule23.htm
.. Depending upon the length of your boat, all you may be required to have
is a white light.

Rule 23.c.2 (excerpt): a power-driven vessel of less than 7 meters in
length whose maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots may in lieu of the lights
prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light
and shall, if practicable, also exhibit sidelights.

Of course, more lights (within the Rules), safer you are...

LJD


"Lloyd Sumpter" wrote in message
news
I have an aluminum skiff ("cartopper") that I want to run at night, so I
need to put some nav lights on it. the front is no problem: deck-mount
red/green on the little "deck" at the bow. But the stern light...

It's supposed to be white, visible 360 degrees. But that would mean a VERY
tall pole, that would get in the way were I ever to catch a fish! So what
do you guys do on inflatables, Whalers, etc. with nav lights? Removable
pole? Fold-down? Short one and live with the visibility problems?

Lloyd Sumpter
"The Tin Boat" Mirrocraft 12