Standard Navigation Lights

Our Standard Navigation Lights range covers traditional incandescent navigation lights – bow, stern and all-round fittings using standard bulbs rather than LED, for boats replacing like-for-like or where an existing fitting isn’t LED-compatible.

Standard incandescent navigation lights remain a straightforward, lower-upfront-cost option, and are the right choice when replacing a failed bulb or fitting in an existing standard housing, since swapping to LED sometimes means replacing the whole fitting rather than just the bulb, depending on your current setup. They draw noticeably more current than an equivalent LED light, which matters more on a boat relying on a limited battery bank than one connected to shore power or with a well-charged system. As with any navigation light, what matters for compliance is the fitting’s rated visibility range and arc for your boat’s length, not simply that a bulb is lit – check you’re replacing like-for-like with a correctly rated fitting rather than assuming any bulb of the right physical size will do.

If you’re doing a fuller refit rather than a quick like-for-like swap, our LED Navigation Lights range is worth considering for the lower running current and longer bulb life.

Frequently asked questions

Should I stick with standard bulbs or switch to LED?

For a quick like-for-like replacement in an existing fitting, standard bulbs are simplest; for a fuller refit, LED draws less current and lasts longer, worth the switch if you’re already replacing fittings.

Do standard navigation lights meet the same compliance requirements as LED?

Yes, provided the specific fitting is rated for the correct visibility range and arc for your boat’s length – compliance depends on the rating, not the bulb technology.

Why does my navigation light draw so much battery power?

Standard incandescent bulbs draw noticeably more current than LED equivalents – worth bearing in mind if you’re relying on a limited battery bank rather than shore power.