BoatingLAB Tests: LED Lights

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Combo and Separate Sidelights
Sidelights must be visible from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam and produce at least 4.3 candelas of light to meet their rating. They can be mounted under the sheer line or above, on any structure, as long as the arc of illumination is correct and they are at least one meter below the stern light. Lights below the sheer line must meet a higher submersible standard for water resistance than lights above the sheer. Technically the red and green sidelights should never be visible at the same time, but they often are — especially in combo sidelights.

Livorsi Marine
LEDNLG2 G and R

These stainless-steel fixtures are solid, potted and submersible with tinned wire. They were among the brightest and most efficient we tested.

Cool Feature: There are no bezels to break. Single LEDs are recessed in the stainless-steel fixture.

Hardware Included: None

Cost: $76 each

Candelas: Green 28.5, Red 14.2

Light Intensity at 6 Inches: Green 1,780 lumens, Red 870 lumens

Attwood Corp.
3520

Combo lights are of plastic with clear plastic bezels and a chrome/stainless-steel top.

Cool Feature: Telltale lights on top allow captain to confirm operation from the helm without going forward to check.

Hardware Included: Gaskets; no screws

Cost: $44.96

Candelas: Green 21.4, Red 16.6

Light Intensity at 6 Inches: Green 650 lumens, Red 500 lumens

Perko Inc.
0617DP0BLK

Stealth Series low-profile sidelights are delta-shape with flat black for a sleek, aggressive look.

Cool Feature: They are water-resistant but not submersible, and not potted, but still remained illuminated in our dunk tank test.

Hardware Included: Gasket; no screws

Cost: $233/pair

Candelas: Green 30.8, Red 21.4

Light Intensity at 6 Inches: Green 850 lumens, Red 580 lumens

* for boats under 37.5 feet

SeaSense Marine Products
50023875

Low-profile stainless-steel housing is fitted with extremely bright LEDs, and the electronics are potted.

Cool Feature: This was our lowest-draw combo light. Electronics are watertight.

Hardware Included: Gasket and stainless-steel screws

Cost: $79.99

Candelas: Green 16.6, Red 9.5

Light Intensity at 6 Inches: Green 1,000 lumens, Red 630 lumens

Attwood Corp.
3530 R and G

Sidelights feature the same construction technique as on the combo lights but have individual red and
green lights.

Cool Feature: Telltale light on top of housing is visible from the helm to reassure the captain that they work.

Hardware Included: Gaskets; no screws

Cost: $34.96 each

Candelas: Green 18.9, Red 16.6

Light Intensity at 6 Inches: Green 470 lumens, Red 500 lumens