Exterior LED bulbs

[Ron Volk]

I have just replaced all my inside bulbs to LED's and now have questions or any ones thoughts regarding exterior bulbs.
With the cost of the exterior LED's I'm wondering if they are worth changing out for the running lights, steaming light & bow light, or just change out the anchor light bulb?  I guess it depends on the type of sailing you do.  My night sailing is limited and also due to local conditions probably 50-60% of that would be under power. Any thoughts?

[Ralph Masters]

I put in a new anchor light fitting and put the LED in it.  Have thought about replacing all the nav lights with LED but like you not sure if it warrants the expense compared to the time spent night time underway.

Ralph
Ciao Bella

[Gary Brockman]

Ron -

I replaced my running lights and anchor light with Dr. LED lights 3 1/2 years ago. No need to use LED's in the Steaming light as you are under power when using it so you don't need to conserve your batteries. The lower power usage of the LED's in overnight races is a benefit, although they are not US Coast Guard approved, I have been told that my lights show up as well as incandescents on other boats by friends on other boats however. I was led to believe that the LED's would last longer than incandescents but the green side of my bow light (Dr. LED bow light has green and red sides in a single bulb) went out in a recent race to San Diego which seemed kind of soon to me.

[waterdog]

We have a masthead LED tri-colour.   It is CG approved.   It's about twice as bright as the original bulbs.   Also has a photocell controlled anchor light which generally makes it the most visible boat in the anchorage.   Power consumption is negligible.

If you're out there at night and you are concerned about being run down by ships, I would seriously consider spending the money and going that route.  

If you are just in the harbour dodging the local traffic on the way home for the evening, then masthead is probably not the way to go.    

We use the original lights on flat protected waters when concerned about small craft.  
http://www.miseagroup.com/solutions/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_5_10&products_id=19

[Ron Hill]

Ron : I like you replaced all of the interior bulbs with LEDs. 
The only exterior bulb that's a LED is the anchor light.
 
Don't do any night sailing because I get tired and the threat of crab pot floats.
I also have a fist full of regular bulbs for running and steaming and with the engine running there is no need to conserve power with a more expensive bulb. 

My thoughts.

[Ron Volk]

Thanks everybody for your inputs & thoughts on the type of exterior bulbs you use.  Looks like I'm going just for the anchor LED for now.