WHY tower lights?

[HHI Dave]

I know this is a n00b question, but what is the real purpose of tower lights? I've read a few threads on the forum. I understand that many tower lights only illuminate the interior of the boat, while some of the better quality lights light up the water in front or back of the boat.

Are they for wakeboarding at night?
Are they for navigating at night?

What's the real justification behind having all that light?

Thanks.

[wesgardner]

If the pupose is navigation - DON"T...they'll ruin your night vision - you want NO lights at night (other than what's required)

In my state, we can't ride at night so for me, they're a non-starter...

Me thinks in many instances they're for looks.

There will be folks here touting their ability to make it bright enough to ride and possibly as docking lights (if you need lights to help you dock, you're introuble in my book)

Just my opine

[sanddragon2004]

Ive boarded with them before and with enough lights on the wake its pretty cool to ride at night. although I did tweak my knee pretty good at night, course i may not have been completely sober too. lol

[HHI Dave]

[miked]

We use ours for night surfing and cleaning the boat and docking. If you had lights on the front of your boat like a car that would be great, but tower lights pointing forward lights up the inside of the boat and make it harder for the driver to see. We want night surfing at shasta last month. No moon, couldnt even see the shore. Forward facing tower lights were worthless. All the riders zip tied glow plugs to our vests and boards for easy pick up.

[acurtis_ttu]

I live on a lake and use mine almost every weekend. I have two forward and one rear. I'll use the rear for night surfing and the forward for pulling into my lift. when it's pitch black outside the lights are lifesavers. It's nothing liek car healdlights but when you get clsoe to shore and there're not just reflecting off water they are great to have.