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Name:
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DSCR
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Subject:
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Night Running Lights
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Date:
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10/16/2009 11:44:19 PM
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Well, I cant find the detailed information to point you to. Maybe our MP Member will check in and give an official ruling. I would call them if I were you.
If I needed to use my spot to ensure safety, I would. But I would use it to spot check, not leave it on all the time.
That being said, the problem is that using the light will obliterate your night vision, cause you to see even less, thus forcing you to use the light again, thus further messing up your night vision, on and on.
The other issue, just like with the dock lights, is that you ruin other boaters night vision, as well.
At night, I usually stay on my right side of something close to the channel. Of course, I am the guy not cutting corners and suddenly appearing in the path of another boat.
My best advice, and request of other boaters is to learn the rules of the road and follow them. Dont cut corners, dont cross channel traffic in front of others underway, on and on. For night boating, learn to read other boats navigation lights and what they mean and determine who has right of way.
In your case, I would think that if you stayed away from shore and more toward the channel you would be less likely to encounter an obstacle of any kind. Obviously, if you are trying to get into or out of a slough or other tight spot made tighter by lower water levels, then of course you should use your spot when needed. But just driving down the lake with docking lights or a spot shining like a headlight is a big faux pax and deserves a warning or a ticket.
Perhaps this is not you, but my main beef with pontoon boat drivers is they seem to think they are sailboats and always have the right of way. As a result, most of them seem to have no clue. I know there are exceptions and I am not indicting ALL pontoon drivers. Just the ones I am talking about. No offense meant. I want a pontoon boat, too.
Anyway, I would use a spot only if absolutely necessary. That's why I have it on the boat.
Again, no offense meant to anyone. Off the soapbox. ;-)
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