Jet Ski Stern Light

[ishoot308]

Anyone ever add Nav lights to their jet ski?

The bow red and green are no issue but having a hard time figuring out what to use as the stern all around white light. If it didn’t have to be so tall it wouldn’t be an issue but having a light at the stern that is higher that everything else on the craft makes it tough…Any ideas?

Thanks!

Dan

[fatlazyless]

Wearing a baseball cap with a white light on top is good enough for night paddling a sup or kayak, so's maybe this is good enough for a pwc plus the bow red/green lights.

[8gv]

The internet has plenty of tall stern lights.

There are some that fold in the middle for easy storage.

If you cannot locate the light receptacle on a flat spot there are stern lights available with an angled top portion.

The extreme rocking and rolling that a PWC brings to the party may require that you through bolt the receptacle.

[codeman671]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11558775622...3ABFBMjpnnkLdl

I know you have a Yamaha but maybe this setup could still be mounted?

This one is on a Yamaha, but you would need a taller pole in the rear.

https://fullwavemarine.com/pwcnavlightkit.html

[jst_4_kiks]

I helped out on wiring up a Sea-doo jetski years ago. was fun project. used a basic red/green nav light on the bow in the center. ran wires up to the cubby compartment and used a switch with a cover so it didnt get bumped and switched on by accident. then a small round stern light pole base on the back below passenger grab handle. used a stern light pole that folded in half to fit in the storage compartment in front. the bottom part of the pole we bent with electrician tubing bender to get the curve. used a coated clip we attached to the passenger grab handle in the center above the light base to keep the pole from bouncing around. worked extremely well. all lights were leds to have no issues. id be willing to help on the project again if needed some pointers or advice. have no pictures of doing it back then but its not difficult, just time consuming to make it all work, look proper, and function correctly.

[ishoot308]

Thanks all! I think I have something figured out without drilling or mounting anything permanent using Ram Mounts.

The bow red & green were easy as simple clip on battery lights work there. The stern was a different story as the pole height and rocking and rolling of the PWC come into play. I found an adjustable telescoping battery stern light on Amazon and utilizing certain Ram Mounts attached to the grab bar behind the seat I think will work out fine without having to drill or mount anything permanent.


Work in progress!

Dan

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Thanks all! I think I have something figured out without drilling or mounting anything permanent using Ram Mounts.

The bow red & green were easy as simple clip on battery lights work there. The stern was a different story as the pole height and rocking and rolling of the PWC come into play. I found an adjustable telescoping battery stern light on Amazon and utilizing certain Ram Mounts attached to the grab bar behind the seat I think will work out fine without having to drill or mount anything permanent.


Work in progress!

Dan

Dan, what's your end goal? Is it just to be out after dusk or at all times?

I gotta say, it would have to be pretty calm for me to be out on the lake after dark on a PWC.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Dan, what's your end goal? Is it just to be out after dusk or at all times?

I gotta say, it would have to be pretty calm for me to be out on the lake after dark on a PWC.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

My end goal is to be prepared if caught out after dark.

We do a lot of sunset cruises, dinner rides etc, etc, and sometimes things take longer than anticipated. Also, if calm, I may go out during a full moon night for a ride on the ski. This isn’t my first jet ski and I have no problem whatsoever navigating at night and find it rather enjoyable during the weeknight when the weekend warriors have all left…

Dan

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

My end goal is to be prepared if caught out after dark.

We do a lot of sunset cruises, dinner rides etc, etc, and sometimes things take longer than anticipated. Also, if calm, I may go out during a full moon night for a ride on the ski. This isn’t my first jet ski and I have no problem whatsoever navigating at night and find it rather enjoyable during the weeknight when the weekend warriors have all left…

Dan

Gotcha. There are certainly some tranquil nights out there, for sure!

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

[tis]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Anyone ever add Nav lights to their jet ski?

The bow red and green are no issue but having a hard time figuring out what to use as the stern all around white light. If it didn’t have to be so tall it wouldn’t be an issue but having a light at the stern that is higher that everything else on the craft makes it tough…Any ideas?

Thanks!

Dan

You should check to see if it's legal to use your jet ski at night. In most states it isn't and I have it in my head that NH could be one of those states. So check before you do all that work.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by tis

You should check to see if it's legal to use your jet ski at night. In most states it isn't and I have it in my head that NH could be one of those states. So check before you do all that work.

As long as you have lights it’s completely legal in NH…same rules as boats. You are correct though, there are some states that do not allow any jet ski after dark.

Dan

[tis]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

As long as you have lights it’s completely legal in NH…same rules as boats. You are correct though, there are some states that do not allow any jet ski after dark.

Dan

Ok. Just didn't want you to do all that work.

[Rich]

Dan,

I'd be interested in seeing what you came up with.

I did a bit of research on this myself, and want something that will stand up to the rigors of the ski and not be too ugly or weak.

I didn't want to use a lof of the 'clip on' types of red/green lights as most of them are rated at a max of something like 6 mph and are made for slow moving things like paddle things like a kayak, etc. My reasoning is I didn't want to have potential problems. I may design and 3D print a mount to handle a USCG rated bow light.

As to the stern light. I talked to the Marine patrol, and they warned me to be sure to clear the tops of the heads of both the pilot and any/all passengers. I was thinking of adding a clip in stern light and it could be stored under the seat when not used. Similar to how many small runabout's do it.

And the same as you, only for when/if we get caught out too late or at dusk. I'm usually careful about this, and have programmed the sunrise/sunset time into my navigator, but sometimes we're out enjoying the day and sometimes the daylight sneaks out on us, especially on those warm summer nights!

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Rich

Dan,

I'd be interested in seeing what you came up with.

I did a bit of research on this myself, and want something that will stand up to the rigors of the ski and not be too ugly or weak.

I didn't want to use a lof of the 'clip on' types of red/green lights as most of them are rated at a max of something like 6 mph and are made for slow moving things like paddle things like a kayak, etc. My reasoning is I didn't want to have potential problems. I may design and 3D print a mount to handle a USCG rated bow light.

As to the stern light. I talked to the Marine patrol, and they warned me to be sure to clear the tops of the heads of both the pilot and any/all passengers. I was thinking of adding a clip in stern light and it could be stored under the seat when not used. Similar to how many small runabout's do it.

And the same as you, only for when/if we get caught out too late or at dusk. I'm usually careful about this, and have programmed the sunrise/sunset time into my navigator, but sometimes we're out enjoying the day and sometimes the daylight sneaks out on us, especially on those warm summer nights!

Hi Rich,

When I have it complete I’ll take pics and post but basically for the stern light I will utilize a RAM large claw style mount on to the rear grab bar of the ski, then a RAM socket mount attached to another smaller RAM claw which will attach to the stern light pole. The pole will be high enough so it has an unobstructed 360 degree view. The claw mounts are extremely strong and shouldn’t move and are very portable so everything will easily fit in storage. The stern light will run by battery so no wire to run.

The two front nav light will be simple battery clip / strap on lights which I have utilized for years on other inflatables and such that workout great!

Dan

[fatlazyless]

For $24.95-Canadian, here's ..... http://www.aquabatics.com/guardian-e...ion-light.html .... here's a waterproof white kayak/sup navigation light that can be attached to the top of a hat from British Columbia.

Believe this costs $18.95 in U.S. dollars.

[Dave R]

I don't have lights on my jet skis, but I have Navisafe lights on my 11' RIB tender with 25HP and I'm very pleased with them. When we cruise we anchor or using mooring balls 99% of the time so the tender gets heavy use, and when we do use it, we beat the living snot out of it (it's a wickedly fun little boat). The lights have been flawless for 5 seasons of salt water cruising.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Rich

Dan,

I'd be interested in seeing what you came up with.

As promised, here you go Rich. This setup works out great! The stern light is telescopic so it has more than enough height. The Ram clamps are super strong and work out great. Everything easily comes off quickly and fits in the storage compartment. Let me know if you want part#’s.

Not sure why the pics are rotated but if someone know how to fix it would be appreciated!!
Dan

[Broken Glass]

HI Dan,
I think that your red and green nav lights are reversed. Cool looking lights though!

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Broken Glass

HI Dan,
I think that your red and green nav lights are reversed. Cool looking lights though!

Yeah, I noticed that after I posted the pic. Just wanted to see who was paying attention! I just clipped them on quick for a pic….

Dan

[fatlazyless]

You understand that bow green/red lights have to be visible across 112.5 degrees and from one mile away, so they need to be moved forward closer to the bow. ..... ..... too bad!

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

You understand that bow green/red lights have to be visible across 112.5 degrees and from one mile away, so they need to be moved forward closer to the bow. ..... ..... too bad!

They both can be seen directly from the front and have at least 150 degree visibility arc from the side. I checked them myself in the dark! They can also be seen the required minimum of 1 NM away and the stern light 2 NM.

Dan

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

As promised, here you go Rich. This setup works out great! The stern light is telescopic so it has more than enough height. The Ram clamps are super strong and work out great. Everything easily comes off quickly and fits in the storage compartment. Let me know if you want part#’s.

Not sure why the pics are rotated but if someone know how to fix it would be appreciated!!
Dan

It looks nice!! thanks for posting this!

Yes, show the part numbers.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Rich

It looks nice!! thanks for posting this!

Yes, show the part numbers.

RAM Large Claw # RAP-401U
Ram Small Claw # RAP-400U
RAM Double Socket Arm with metal Knob # RAM-201MU-B

Stern Light : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQK5JD1L...fed_asin_title

NAV Lights: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD2DH299...fed_asin_title

I did add some thin foam tape under the cowling where the nav lights attach to give them a better grip. This worked well!

Dan