The short answer. On a power boat under 12 meters, one fold-down all-round white light can stand in for the masthead and stern light underway (with sidelights), then serve as the anchor light. Choose the mount to fit your spot, choose 2nm all-round or a 3nm combination light, and check the light ends up one meter above the sidelights.
You’ll need
- A fold-down all-round light that fits your mounting spot: Perko Stealth LED fold-down all-round light, vertical mount, Perko Stealth LED fold-down all-round light, horizontal mount or Perko Stealth LED tower/arch all-round light
- Or, if you need a masthead light and an anchor light in one head: Perko fold-down combination masthead/all-round light
- A switch that matches the light: a plain on/off for a single all-round light, a double-pole switch for a combination light
- A fused circuit for nav lights at your fuse block
- A tape measure, for the base and the pole height checks below
A fold-down pole light earns its keep on small boats. Up at night, it’s your all-round white. Folded flat in daylight, it’s out of the way of the bimini, the tow rope and anyone stepping over the windshield.
Most of these lights look alike in photos, but they don’t all do the same job. Some are certified only for power boats. Some carry two bulbs and a second switch circuit. The bases come in three shapes. Work through the checks below and you’ll know which one fits your boat.
Does my boat need an all-round white light?
Almost every power boat that runs after dark needs one somewhere. These are the US Inland Rules (33 CFR part 83). Check your own boat’s length and type against the rule text before you buy. Out past the demarcation lines the international rules (COLREGS) apply, and they differ in places.
Underway (Rule 23). Rule 23(a) asks a power-driven vessel for a masthead light, sidelights and a sternlight. Rule 23(d) lets a power boat under 12 meters (about 39 feet) show an all-round white light and sidelights instead. That one-light option is why fold-down all-round lights are so common on runabouts, bass boats and center consoles.
At anchor (Rule 30). Rule 30(b) lets a vessel under 50 meters show one all-round white light where it can best be seen. Two exceptions are worth knowing: – Rule 30(e): a vessel under 7 meters (about 23 feet) at anchor doesn’t need the anchor light, but only when it’s not in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage, or where other boats normally go. – Rule 30(g): a vessel under 20 meters in a special anchorage area designated by the Coast Guard doesn’t need anchor lights.
Most people anchor where boats pass, so plan on the light.
How far does the light need to be seen: 2nm or 3nm?
Rule 22 sets the minimum ranges:
| Your boat | All-round white | Masthead light |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 m | 2 miles | 2 miles |
| 12 m to under 20 m | 2 miles | 3 miles |
| 20 m to under 50 m | 2 miles | 5 miles |
(Rule 22(b) and (c). The rule says miles; Perko certifies its lights in nautical miles.)
So a 2nm all-round light covers the all-round job on any boat in this guide. The 3nm rating matters only when the same light also serves as a masthead light on a boat 12 meters or longer. That’s where a combination light like the Perko 1184 comes in: Perko certifies it to 3nm as a masthead and all-round light.
Which mount do I need: vertical, horizontal or tube?
Look at your spot first, then pick the light. Perko builds the same Stealth LED head on three bases.
Vertical mount. The base screws to an upright face, like the back of a console or the side of a T-top leg. The Perko Stealth LED fold-down all-round light, vertical mount (Fig. 1639) has a 2-1/4 x 5/8 inch base with mounting holes 1-5/8 inches apart, center to center. The 1184 combination light uses the same base size and hole spacing, per Perko’s pages.
Horizontal mount. The base sits on a flat top surface, like a hard top or a deck. The Perko Stealth LED fold-down all-round light, horizontal mount (Fig. 1636) has a 2 x 1-1/2 inch base with holes 1-3/8 inches apart.
Tube mount. The Perko Stealth LED tower/arch all-round light (Fig. 1609) mounts on 7/8 inch tubing on a tower or arch. It’s shorter, at 8-3/8 inches overall. In the down position it works as a cockpit courtesy light, which is handy at the dock.
Replacing an old light? Do this before you order:
- Measure the old base.
- Measure the hole spacing, center to center.
- Pick the new light whose base matches. A matching base means no new holes in the boat.
How tall does the pole need to be?
Taller than you’d guess. Annex I (33 CFR 84.02(d)) says that on a power boat under 12 meters, the all-round light used under Rule 23(d) has to sit at least one meter (about 3.3 feet) higher than the sidelights.
That’s measured from the sidelights, not from where the base screws on. Before you buy: 1. Find the height of your sidelights. 2. Add one meter. 3. Check that the light’s base height plus the light’s overall height gets you there.
Perko lists the Stealth 1636 and 1639 at 14-1/4 inches overall, the 1609 at 8-3/8 inches, and the 1184 combination at 14 inches. If none clears the line from your mounting spot, you need a higher spot, or a taller light like the 22 inch Perko plug-in combination masthead/all-round light, 22 in (1124DP2CHR). That one uses a plug-in pole you pull out and stow, so it doesn’t fold.
The light also needs a clear view all the way around. A T-top edge or a radar dome in the way leaves a dark sector, so stand back and look before you drill.
Single all-round light or combination masthead/all-round?
A single all-round light (the Stealth 1636, 1639 and 1609) has one LED circuit and one job. Perko certifies the Stealth lights for power-driven boats under 20 meters (65.6 feet). Wire it to a plain on/off switch and it serves both underway (with sidelights) and at anchor.
A combination light (the 1184 and 1124) has two compartments. Perko’s install sheet for its 1123/1124 series lays out the wiring like this: 1. Underway, only the forward compartment lights up (the masthead light) along with the sidelights and stern light. 2. At anchor, both compartments light together to make the all-round light, with the running lights off. 3. To switch between the two, use a double pole, double throw switch with a center off position. Perko warns that without double-pole switches, power feeds back and lights come on at the wrong time.
Perko certifies the 1184 and 1124 for sail or power vessels under 20 meters, at 3nm. If you run a sailboat, that matters: the Stealth lights are certified for power-driven vessels only.
LED or bulb: what does it cost the battery?
Perko lists each Stealth LED light at 1.5 watts and 0.1 amps. The 1184 combination light uses two bulbs at 10 watts and 0.80 amps per compartment.
Overnight at anchor, say 10 hours: – Stealth LED: 0.1 A x 10 h = 1 amp-hour. – 1184 with both compartments on: 2 x 0.80 A x 10 h = 16 amp-hours.
Sixteen amp-hours is a real bite out of a small house battery. If you anchor out a lot, the LED wins on battery alone. Boat LED lighting amp draw: what your lights cost the battery runs the numbers for the rest of the boat, and the Battery bank size calculator adds them up. If you’re also changing the battery, Upgrading a boat to lithium: everything around the battery covers the wiring around it.
Does this guide fit your boat?
This applies if: – You run a power boat under 12 meters and want one fold-down all-round light plus sidelights. – You need an anchor light on a boat under 20 meters. – You run a sailboat or a power boat under 20 meters and want a combination masthead/all-round light. – The boat has a 12V system.
This doesn’t apply if: – Your boat is 20 meters or longer. Perko certifies these lights for vessels under 20 meters only. – You’re on a sailboat and want a Stealth light. Perko certifies those for power-driven vessels only. – You run 24V. Perko’s pages say to contact them for 24V on new boats. – You need the full lighting plan for your boat (sidelights, stern light, sailing lights). Start with Boat navigation lights: which lights your boat needs.
Products in this guide
| Product | Why it’s here |
|---|---|
| Perko Stealth LED fold-down all-round light, vertical mount | Folds down, mounts on an upright face. 2nm, 0.1 A. Power boats under 20 m. |
| Perko Stealth LED fold-down all-round light, horizontal mount | Same head on a flat-top base for hard tops and decks. |
| Perko Stealth LED tower/arch all-round light | Mounts on 7/8 inch tubing. Courtesy light when folded down. |
| Perko fold-down combination masthead/all-round light | Masthead and anchor light in one head. 3nm, sail or power. Needs a double-pole switch. |
| Perko plug-in combination masthead/all-round light, 22 in | 22 inches tall for boats that need the extra height. Pole pulls out to stow. |
Prices show live from the store.
Bundles for this job: Nav light refit kit
Quick answers
Can a fold-down all-round light be my only white light underway? On a power boat under 12 meters, yes. Rule 23(d) lets it replace the masthead light and stern light, as long as you also show sidelights. The light has to sit at least one meter above the sidelights (33 CFR 84.02(d)).
Is a 2nm all-round light enough? For the all-round light, yes. Rule 22 asks for 2 miles on boats under 50 meters. You need 3 miles only when the light also serves as a masthead light on a boat from 12 to 20 meters.
Can I leave the fold-down light up at anchor? That’s what the all-round position is for. At anchor it is your anchor light under Rule 30(b). On a combination unit, put the switch in the anchor position so both compartments light.
Do I need an anchor light on a small boat? Under 7 meters, Rule 30(e) excuses you only away from channels, fairways, anchorages and places boats normally go. In a Coast Guard special anchorage area, boats under 20 meters don’t need one (Rule 30(g)). Otherwise, show it.
Will a Stealth light work on my sailboat? Perko certifies the Stealth all-round lights for power-driven vessels. For a sailboat, look at a combination light Perko certifies for sail or power, like the 1184 or 1124.
Sources
- 33 CFR 83.22, Visibility of lights (Rule 22): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-E/part-83/subpart-C/section-83.22
- 33 CFR 83.23, Power-driven vessels underway (Rule 23): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-E/part-83/subpart-C/section-83.23
- 33 CFR 83.30, Vessels anchored (Rule 30): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-E/part-83/subpart-C/section-83.30
- 33 CFR 84.02, Vertical positioning of lights (Annex I): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-E/part-84/section-84.02
- Perko Fig. 1636: https://www.perko.com/catalog/navigation_lights_under_20_meters/814/stealth_series_-_led_fold_down_white_all-round_light/
- Perko Fig. 1639: https://perko.com/catalog/navigation_lights_under_20_meters/815/electric_fold_down_mount_for_masthead_and_all-round_lights
- Perko Fig. 1609: https://www.perko.com/catalog/navigation_lights_under_20_meters/817/stealth_series_-_tower_arch_mount_led_folding_white_all-round_light/
- Perko Fig. 1184: https://www.perko.com/catalog/navigation_lights_under_20_meters/837/combination_masthead_and_white_all-round_anchor_light/
- Perko Fig. 1123/1124: https://www.perko.com/catalog/navigation_lights_under_20_meters/121/combination_masthead_and_white_all-round_light/
- Perko Fig. 1123 & 1124 installation sheet: https://www.perko.com/images/catalog/pdf/Fig.%201123%20&1124%20Inst%20(USCG).pdf
