Vessel Lighting

A boater is quite right about only needing a flashlight or lantern for a (non-mechanized) boat less than 7 meters (23 feet). However, if the boat has machinery (a motor — even a trolling motor) on board, according to A.R.S. Title Five, which is what “Officer Friendly” out at the lake in Arizona enforces, you'll need running lights if you're out between sunset and sunrise, or operating in restricted (rain, dust or the like) visibility:

5-333. Classification of watercraft; lights

A. Watercraft subject to the provisions of this chapter shall be divided into four classes as follows:

1. Class A. Le...