Nav Lights Replacement

[Dockhead]

I'm having a minor refit this winter, with the mast out.

My Aqua Signal Series 40 nav lights seem to be pretty good, but I want to take the opportunity to replace them all with LED fixtures, since I don't have my 75 foot mast out all that often (this is the first time since the boat was built 12 years ago).

I don't want Lopo Lights because of (a) the enormous cost; and (b) dozens of reports of failures.

In a recent edition of Practical Boat Owner, a big test of LED nav lights had Aqua Signal coming out on top in terms of optical quality, far ahead of Lopo and others.

Reliability and complete waterproofness is important because I am not a fair weather sailor -- I frequently sail in rough weather which has my pulpit mounted nav lights under water at times, despite their being a good 8 feet above the waterline. This has lead to the early demise of a few bulbs in the current nav lights.

So I am inclined to go with Aqua Signal, but I have also heard bad things about the reliability of the Series 21/22 LED lights. Supposedly the next generation Series 23/24 LED lights are better.

Does anyone have concrete experience of these, or otherwise words of wisdom?

[jeremiason]

We use Hella NaviLED sealed LED running lights. These have worked well in all weather conditions and are extremely bright

On the mast head we have an Ocra OGM Tricolor, Anchor and Strobe White light. I like it because of the size and reliablity.

I hooked up the strobe so it is only activated when you switch on both the running and anchor light switches together, so there are no accidents. The strobe has helped several times as a becon for boats approaching my anchorage in the dark.

[Dockhead]

Thanks very much! I've been eying those.

Anyone else have any comments? Specifically, experience with the new generation Aqua Signal LED nav lights?