When I first added navigation lights to my jon boat, I went with the cheapest set I could find. They worked… sort of. The bulbs burned out quickly, they drained my battery faster than I liked, and honestly, they weren’t very bright.
After a season of frustration, I upgraded to LED navigation lights, and I’ll never go back. The difference was night and day — literally. LEDs use a fraction of the power, so I can run them for hours without worrying about my battery. Plus, they’re way brighter and easier to see from a distance.
Installation was simple. I swapped out the old fixtures, wired in the new ones, and sealed the connections with heat-shrink tubing. I also added a removable LED pole light at the stern so I can take it off when I’m trailering.
The first night I used them, I immediately noticed how much safer I felt. Other boaters could see me well before they got close, and I didn’t have to babysit the lights to make sure they were still working.
For me, switching to LED wasn’t just about convenience — it was about safety and peace of mind. If you’re still running old-style bulbs, I’d highly recommend making the upgrade. It’s one of the best small investments I’ve made in my boat.