Stern lights

[Pauliemv]

Hey there,
My stern running lights don’t seem to be working. There’s 3 sets on the stern of my 2016 25 SC of 2 lights in each set. What I would consider the stern light is matched on port and starboard by lights that are exactly the same. Gonna check for power at the stern light which is easy to access. Not sure what the access is on the other 2. Haven’t fully investigated. Has anyone had those lights go bad on them?

 

[scross]

By stern “running lights” you are talking about the trailering running lights at the boats stern turned on by plugging the trailer connector into the flat four plug in the anchor locker right?
On my R-25 Classic there were two courtesy lights on the stern, one under the cockpit “gate” door and one on the opposite port side low. All the other stern lights were for trailering.

 

[Pauliemv]

I’m asking about the running lights on the stern. So as I understand the other 2 sets which are lower on the stern are not running lights but trailering lights…
It’s my stern running light that doesn’t seem to be working when I turn the switch for all running lights.
This boat is brand new to me. Just got her this past Wednesday. Lots to learn and figure out do I do appreciate any information I can get!

 

[scross]

It’s backward from your description.
The bottom two sets of lights on the stern are the courtesy lights activated by the switch just inside the cockpit/swim platform gate. That switch also turns on/off all the other courtesy lights on the inside of the cockpit.
All the other lights on the stern are trailering lights. So, if the stern lights are higher than about 3-4 inches above the swim platform then they are trailering lights.

PS: See page 11 of the Owners Manual.
https://www.gisails.com/pdfs/R25OwnersManual.pdf
On that page the stern lights are identified. The term “Running Lights” for the light that’s high center on the stern is a trailering running light, not a running light you can turn off/on while underway. The “Running Lights” on the starboard and port side of the outside of the hull are also trailering lights.
If you are expecting running lights that you can turn on/off while cruising or at the dock after dark, the only lights that will do that are the two navigation lights on top of the cabin, the anchor light on top of the mast or by turning on the courtesy lights in the cockpit.

 

[Pauliemv]

So… just so I understand completely… there is no night time stern light while underway….

 

[Pauliemv]

Duh… got it!!! Thank you!

 

[American Flyer]

So… just so I understand completely… there is no night time stern light while underway….[/quote

The white stern light must cover 135 degrees and be visible for 2 nautical miles or you can substitute one 360-degree all-around white light.

On our 29 it is a 360 degree white light on the mast.

 

[allanrs74@gmail.com]

To second what American Flyer has said, I've copied and pasted a description of what lights are required on most of the Ranger and Cutwater boats while underway at night and in periods of reduced visibility.

Power driven vessels underway shall exhibit a masthead light forward, sidelights and a stern light. Vessels less than 12 meters in length may exhibit an all around white light and side lights. Power driven boats on the Great Lakes may carry an all around white light in stead of a second masthead light and stern light combination.

My 2016 R-27 has an all around white light on the mast head. It is activated with the 'Nav Light' toggle switch on the DC panel. This switch in one position provides power to the red/green side lights and the 360 degree white masthead light for use while underway. The same switch in the other position provides power to only the 360 degree white mast head light which is required when anchored at night. The switch in the middle position provides no power to any of the nav lights.

All the lights in and around the stern, swim platform and cockpit are curtesy or trailering lights. Personally I do not like the term 'Running Lights' as this infers that you might be underway requiring the lights described above.