does this sound right?

[exrescueswimmer]

I had an issue with my steaming light recently and someone told me to just wire it up so that it burned both forward and aft as if it were an anchor light and not burn the existing stern light.
It kind of makes sense because you'd have red, green and white running lights forward and only white astern...
Does this pass the smell test?

 

[trit21]

Yes, that is acceptable as is seen on this website as well as long as your boat is under 39.4'.

http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com/content/general/4_2_b.php

 

[rcknecht]

Yes, it is acceptable, but it is not the way it was designed to operate. Your transom light is designed as your aft white light, and you mast light covers the port, starboard and forward. If you plan on carrying a dingy on your stern, which blocks the aft light, the suggested change is probably not a bad idea... I personally light to keep things as designed...