Avalon Boat Lights Guide | Upgrade Safety, Style, and Nighttime Visibility on the Water
The sun dips below the horizon, the lake turns to glass, and your Avalon pontoon transforms into something magical—with the right lights, your evening cruise becomes an unforgettable experience that keeps everyone talking long after you’re back at the dock.
TL;DR
Lighting on your Avalon boat serves three critical purposes: safety (so other boats see you), functionality (so you can see where you’re going), and style (because let’s be honest, cool lights make any boat better). This guide covers navigation lights required by Coast Guard regulations, interior and underwater accent lighting for ambiance, and practical tips for choosing, installing, and maintaining marine-grade LED lights that will last for years.
Key Takeaways
- Navigation lights aren’t optional—they’re legally required for nighttime operation and must meet USCG visibility standards.
- LED technology is the standard for modern pontoon boats, offering longer life, lower power draw, and brighter output than traditional bulbs.
- RGB lighting gives you options—switch from relaxing blue to party mode with customizable colors at the touch of a button.
- Waterproof ratings matter—look for IP67 or IP68 ratings for lights exposed to water or weather.
- Factory upgrades exist—many newer Avalon models come with impressive lighting packages from the factory.
Understanding Boat Lighting: Safety First, Style Second
Before we get into the fun stuff like underwater lights and mood lighting, let’s cover the essentials. Every Avalon pontoon boat that operates between sunset and sunrise needs proper navigation lighting. This isn’t just about looking cool—it’s about keeping everyone on the water safe.
Navigation Lights: What You Need
The rules are simple: other boaters need to know which direction you’re heading, and at night, lights are the only way to communicate that. A standard pontoon boat setup includes:
Port (Left) and Starboard (Right) Lights
- Red on the left (port), green on the right (starboard)
- Visible from dead ahead to 112.5 degrees aft on each side
- Must be visible for at least 1 nautical mile
All-Around White Light
- 360-degree visibility
- Mounted higher than the red/green lights
- Visible for at least 2 nautical miles
- Serves as both stern light and anchor light
Did you know that if you’re anchored at night, you’re only required to display the all-around white light? The red and green navigation lights can be turned off when you’re not moving.
Modern Avalon boats come factory-equipped with these essential lights. Models like the 2015 Avalon 2785 RL Windjammer featured integrated LED navigation lights and LED accent dock lights built into the walls—a standard feature that shows Avalon’s commitment to quality lighting.
What About the Newer Models?
Avalon has continued innovating with lighting. According to Avalon’s official site, their new pontoon boats incorporate customizable LED lighting to set the right mood, along with touchscreen controls for seamless real-time monitoring. High-end models like the Excalibur feature RGB lighting that lets you change colors to match your mood or occasion.
A 2024 Avalon LSZ 2385 VRB recently listed for sale came equipped with RGB LED interior and underwater lighting, a huge Fusion stereo, and forward docking lights—showing just how far factory lighting packages have come.
Are you getting the most out of your boat’s factory lighting features, or are there upgrades that could enhance your experience?
The Evolution of Marine Lighting
Boat lighting has come a long way from the dim incandescent bulbs of the past. Here’s how we got to today’s LED-powered setups:
1970s-1980s
Incandescent bulbs dominated. They were dim, power-hungry, and burned out frequently—not ideal for marine environments.
1990s
Halogen bulbs offered brighter light but generated significant heat and still consumed considerable power.
2000s
Early LED technology emerged. While expensive, boaters quickly recognized the benefits of longer life and lower power draw.
2010s
RGB (red-green-blue) color-changing LEDs became affordable. Manufacturers began integrating mood lighting, speaker ring lights, and cupholder illumination from the factory.
2020s-Present
Smart lighting systems with app control, underwater LED arrays, and fully customizable color schemes are now standard on premium models.
Types of Lights for Your Avalon Boat
Whether you’re upgrading an older boat or adding features to a newer one, here’s a breakdown of the lighting options available.
Navigation and Safety Lights
These are the non-negotiable lights that keep you legal and visible.
Anchor and Stern Lights
Modern LED anchor lights offer impressive performance. A typical 12-inch fold-down marine anchor light uses 51 SMD2835 LEDs, delivers 360° illumination visible from 3 nautical miles away, and carries an IP67 waterproof rating—meaning it can handle rain, waves, and spray without issues. These lights operate on 12-24V power and have a 50,000-hour lifespan.
The fold-down feature is especially handy for pontoon owners—when you’re not using the light, it folds flat against the boat, reducing the risk of damage during trailering or docking.
Port and Starboard Light Pods
If you own an Avalon and need replacement navigation lights, OEM parts are available. Avalon’s factory light pod shrouds (part number 129116) are designed specifically for Avalon pontoon boats, featuring two larger LED lights and one smaller LED light in a sleek black housing with a chrome-like gloss finish.
These factory replacement pods maintain the original look of your boat while upgrading to modern LED illumination.
Interior and Courtesy Lighting
This is where you can add personality and practicality to your family pontoon boat.
Speaker Ring and Cupholder Lights
Factory-equipped Avalon boats often include LED mood lighting around speaker covers and cup holders throughout the boat—a feature noted in reviews of the 2015 Windjammer model. For boats without this feature, aftermarket RGB light strips can add similar ambiance.
Deck and Courtesy Lights
Small surface-mount LED lights are perfect for illuminating walkways, steps, and seating areas. The PSEQT 3.8-inch waterproof marine LED lights offer IP68 waterproof protection (meaning they can even work underwater) and come in packs of six for around $18. They’re ideal for courtesy lighting, step illumination, or cockpit accent lighting.
These little lights draw only 1.5 watts each and have a 50,000-hour lifespan—install them once and forget about them for years.
Flexible Light Strips
For a custom look, flexible RGB LED light strips can be mounted along seat bases, under the gunwales, or along the deck edge. ITC Marine’s Luna series light strips are specifically made for Avalon pontoon boats, measuring about 23¾ inches long and offering six color options: red, white, blue, green, yellow, purple, and light blue.
Here’s the thing about RGB lighting—you can set the mood for any occasion. Soft blue for a relaxing sunset cruise, vibrant purple for evening parties, or bright white when you need to see what you’re doing.
Underwater and Transom Lighting
Want to turn heads at the dock? Underwater lighting adds a wow factor that’s hard to beat.
Transom-Mounted Lights
These lights mount on the back of the boat, just above or below the waterline. They create a stunning glow that attracts fish and adds serious style to nighttime anchoring. A typical 50W stainless steel underwater transom light with 27 LEDs provides a broad flood effect, attracting baitfish while adding ambiance to any evening on the water.
Fishermen love these lights because they attract plankton, which draws in baitfish, which brings in the fish you actually want to catch.
Factory Underwater Lighting
Newer Avalon models like the LSZ 2385 VRB come from the factory with RGB LED interior and underwater lighting already installed. If you’re buying new, this is an option worth considering—factory integration is always cleaner than aftermarket installation.
Docking Lights
Forward-facing docking lights make nighttime approaches to the dock much less stressful. These bright white lights illuminate the area in front of the boat, helping you see pilings, other boats, and obstacles. Many Avalon models come with docking lights either as standard equipment or a factory option.
Have you ever tried docking a pontoon boat in the dark without docking lights? It’s not fun. These lights make the difference between a smooth arrival and a nerve-wracking experience.
Lighting Comparison: Finding the Right Fit for Your Boat
Here’s a comparison of lighting options from trusted marine sources to help you choose what works for your needs.
| Product Type | Best For | Installation Difficulty | Key Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SETYPARY 12″ Fold-Down Anchor Light | Replacing stern/anchor light with USCG-compliant LED | Easy (screw mount, wire connection) | 51 LEDs, 360° visibility, 3nm range, IP67, 50,000 hrs | $25 – $40 |
| Avalon OEM Light Pod Shroud (Port) | Factory-correct replacement for Avalon owners | Moderate (wiring harness, mounting studs) | OEM fit, 3 LED lights, chrome finish | $110 – $130 |
| ITC Luna Flexible RGB Light Strip | Adding under-seat or accent lighting | Moderate (mounting and wiring) | 6 colors, 12V, 23¾” length, Avalon compatible | $20 – $30 |
| PSEQT 3.8″ Courtesy LED Lights (6-pack) | Deck, step, or interior accent lighting | Easy (surface mount, 2-wire) | IP68 waterproof, 4 LEDs per light, 12-24V | $15 – $25 |
| 50W Stainless Underwater Transom Light | Underwater illumination for fishing or ambiance | Moderate (transom mounting, through-hull wiring) | 27 LEDs, broad flood effect, stainless housing | $80 – $150 |
Data compiled from Great Lakes Skipper, Amazon, and specialty marine retailers.
Installation Tips and Considerations
Adding lights to your recreational boat isn’t rocket science, but there are some important things to keep in mind.
Wiring Basics
- Use marine-grade wire: Automotive wire isn’t designed for the constant moisture exposure boats face.
- Heat shrink connections: Butt connectors with heat shrink tubing create waterproof seals that last.
- Fuse everything: Every new lighting circuit should be fused at the power source to protect against shorts.
- Consider a switch panel: If you’re adding multiple lights, a dedicated marine switch panel keeps things organized.
Waterproof Ratings Explained
When shopping for marine lights, you’ll see IP ratings. Here’s what they mean:
- IP67: Protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Suitable for most above-water applications.
- IP68: Protected against continuous immersion beyond 1 meter. Ideal for underwater lights or fixtures that will be constantly splashed.
For courtesy lights on the deck, IP67 is plenty. For transom lights that sit near the waterline, go with IP68.
Voltage Considerations
Most pontoon boats run on a 12V DC system, which matches standard marine LED lights. If you’re importing lights from overseas, double-check that they’re rated for 12V—some are designed for 110V AC shore power and won’t work on your boat’s system.
Real-World Impact: How Good Lighting Changes Your Boating Experience
There’s a reason serious boaters invest in quality lighting. It transforms what’s possible on the water.
Safety After Dark
Good navigation lights mean you’re visible to other boaters from a distance. An anchor light visible from 3 nautical miles gives approaching vessels plenty of time to spot you.
Extended Boating Hours
With proper lighting, your day on the water doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. Evening cruises become a regular part of your boating lifestyle.
Entertainment Value
A boat with RGB interior lights and underwater illumination becomes the gathering spot at any raft-up. There’s something magical about floating on a calm lake, lights reflecting off the water, with good music and good company.
Fishing Advantage
For anglers, underwater lights are a game-changer. They attract baitfish, which draws in predator fish—turning your pontoon into a fishing machine after dark.
Frequently Asked Questions About Avalon Boat Lighting
What lights are required by law on a pontoon boat at night?
You need red and green navigation lights (port/starboard) and a 360-degree white all-around light visible for 2 nautical miles when underway. When anchored, only the white light is required.
Can I add RGB lighting to my existing Avalon boat?
Yes. Aftermarket RGB light strips and pods are widely available and can be installed under seats, along the deck, or around speaker grills.
Are LED lights better than traditional bulbs for boats?
Yes. LEDs draw less power, last much longer (50,000 hours vs. 1,000 hours), and are more durable in marine environments.
What does IP67 waterproof rating mean?
IP67 means the light is protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes—suitable for most marine applications.
How do I know if my navigation lights are USCG compliant?
Check the packaging for USCG certification. Anchor lights should be visible from 2-3 nautical miles; sidelights from 1 nautical mile.
Can I install underwater lights on any pontoon?
Most pontoons can accept underwater lights mounted on the transom. Installation requires drilling and proper sealing to prevent water intrusion.
Do new Avalon boats come with LED lighting from the factory?
Yes. Modern Avalon models feature LED navigation lights, interior mood lighting, and often RGB color-changing systems on higher-end models like the Excalibur.
What’s your favorite lighting setup on your Avalon? Have you added any custom lights that transformed your nighttime boating experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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