Cobalt 262/263 - Docking Lights & Stern Navigation Light

[Avg_Guy]

Hey gang. Continuing with my list of small "projects" while researching the bigger ones (throttle/shift controls & drive lube leak among them)...

DOCKING LIGHTS. Yesterday I removed the backside of one of the docking lights to see if the bulb could be updated to LED. The short answer is NO. I found that the oem bulb is (appears to be?) a sealed halogen, similar to those found on pre-80s automobiles.

- Has anyone updated the docking lights on a 262/263, or any other Cobalt of this vintage that utilized the same oem docking lights?
- Any recommendations for sourcing replacement encapsulated LED bulbs or complete LED docking lights would be appreciated.

STERN NAVIGATION LIGHT. My 2005 263 does not have a stern navigation light...the only light at the stern is the removable pole light which is a 360 degree anchor light. I have searched for a removable stern pole light that has just the 135 degree visible illumination required for operating at night but have found zilch. So, now I'm considering buying either the Perko Stern Pole Light Part No. 1624SPL002 and blacking out the forward facing facets, or installing a Perko Stern Light Part No. 0170WSNDP1 on the rear of the engine hatch to meet the requirement (see photos below).

- Has anyone actually been cited for operating at night with a 360-degree/all-around "anchor" light instead of the USCG-specified 135-degree stern "indication" light?
- Any opinions or examples of what others are doing to meet USCG requirement for a stern indication light?

[AsLan7]

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We replaced our halogen lights with led docking lights.
I’ll see if I can find the thread. Pretty easy swap really.

We have the required navigation lights on the bow for port and starboard indications and the required 360 degree white light on our arch. Our previous 2002 262 had the extendable anchor light.

You can either use a 135 degree white stern light in conjunction with a forward 225 degree masthead light OR just a 360 degree white stern light.

USCG lighting requirements
.

[Avg_Guy]

.
We replaced our halogen lights with led docking lights.
I’ll see if I can find the thread. Pretty easy swap really.

We have the required navigation lights on the bow for port and starboard indications and the required 360 degree white light on our arch. Our previous 2002 262 had the extendable anchor light.

You can either use a 135 degree white stern light in conjunction with a forward 225 degree masthead light OR just a 360 degree white stern light.

USCG lighting requirements
.

A7, thank you...I would appreciate it if you could point me in the right direction for the docking lights.

As for the stern light, I was referencing the study guide from the BoatUS boater card online safety course that I completed and, oddly, it doesn't call out the all-around as an option--maybe because the study guide does not differentiate for "greater than/less than" 12-meters length?

In any event, I found my copy of the USCG Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook, and yup, you are indeed correct!

[AsLan7]

.
We replaced our halogen lights with led docking lights.
I’ll see if I can find the thread. Pretty easy swap really.

We have the required navigation lights on the bow for port and starboard indications and the required 360 degree white light on our arch. Our previous 2002 262 had the extendable anchor light.

You can either use a 135 degree white stern light in conjunction with a forward 225 degree masthead light OR just a 360 degree white stern light.

USCG lighting requirements
.

A7, thank you...I would appreciate it if you could point me in the right direction for the docking lights.

As for the stern light, I was referencing the study guide from the BoatUS boater card online safety course that I completed and, oddly, it doesn't call out the all-around as an option--maybe because the study guide does not differentiate for "greater than/less than" 12-meters length?

In any event, I found my copy of the USCG Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook, and yup, you are indeed correct!

.
Sure thing buddy.

The closest I could find was my LED Docking light thread. Not sure it will help you much but it's a fun read.

Enjoy.

[Avg_Guy]

Thank you for the link...that does sound like a hoot! The "old" MR16 bulb in your replacement docking lights looks to be the same halogen bulb used in the original cabin reading lights. The bezel was missing on one of my cabin lights when I bought the boat in February, so I replaced both cabin reading lights with Scandvik 41365 LEDs https://www.scandvik.com/index.cfm?meth ... ductID=312. They are not as heavy as the older lights (thinner base castings) but they are stainless and put out a good amount of soft color lighting plus, being LED, they don't get hot or draw much current.

Do you recall the brand/part number for your replacement docking lights?

[AsLan7]

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Nice AvG.
I don’t recall off hand. I’ll have to see if I can find that info.

Thanks for the pics!

[QCMC]

Need help converting telescoping anchor light to standard Cobalt anchor light. Is there an after market adapter plate available?

[okielaker]

Avg_Guy,

docking lights:

MR16D-NW7-40 LED replacement bulb at superbrightleds.com

This fits my 2008 272 with the stainless cups... can't verify your 2005 263.