On Wed, 28 Sep 2005 09:33:06 -0400, Larry wrote:

"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in
news:5gn_e.28417$hp.24483@lakeread08:

With the outboard running white is better
than nothing but legally it should be a tri-color if it is capable of
better than 7 knots. COLREG 23(c).


ER, ah, a tri-color only shows white aft. That would be a sailboat, right?
Outboard boats are required to have an all-around white light aft and
red/green lights on the bow. West marine has them for your dink. Looks
like a flashlight with a clamp on it.

Carry a bright searchlight, too! 1,000,000 candle power will even get a
drunks attention in a cigarette boat, when he would ignore your running
lights.....(c;

Although as I have a 9.9 Honda on my Zodiac 310 RIB, I am not required
to have running lights, I go out at night frequently enough (no A/C at
home and am a bit of an insomniac) to have devised the following.

Harley-Davidson 12 volt AGM shock-corded to the lashed fuel tank.
This is charged by the magneto on the 9.9...usually suffices.
Stern light on four foot pole on hard transom...all around white.
Red/green light on bow. Both are wired to the AGM with water-resistant
fuse holders (2 Amp, I think) in line. The boat is highly visible at
night...marine unit cops pull me over thinking I'm one of them...or a
drug runner to the local islands G

Refinement: Put in a 12 V cigarette lighter adapter thingie under the
seat (Velcro'd). Bring a bright searchlight instead of the Garrity 6v
box-type flashlight I currently bring.

My "crash box" contains flares and the usual safety stuff, a cheap
GPS, a handheld VHF...and a couple of battery powered nav lights and a
few cable ties.

Works for me, although none of it is required.

R.