When I first bought my jon boat, I didn’t even think about navigation lights. To me, boating meant heading out early in the morning and being back before dark. But after a couple of late evenings chasing catfish and realizing I was coming back in low light, I knew I needed to make my boat safer — for myself and for others on the water.
Legally, most states require at least basic navigation lights on small boats if you’re operating after sunset. I didn’t want to risk a ticket, but more importantly, I didn’t want to risk not being seen.
I decided to install a simple setup: a green/red bow light and a white stern light. I went with LED lights because they last longer, use less battery power, and are bright enough to be seen from a good distance.
The installation was easier than I thought. I mounted the bow light on the front deck, wired it into a small toggle switch panel, and ran the wires neatly along the inside with clips. The stern light was a removable pole style that plugs into a base mount, which I liked because I could take it off when trailering.
Now, I actually feel confident staying out past sunset. The first night I used the lights, I noticed how much safer I felt knowing that other boats could see me. If you fish evenings like I do, navigation lights aren’t just a legal requirement — they’re peace of mind.