Is it permissible to have the red and green nav lights on the console in a center console boat or do they have to be on the bow? Boat is approx 23 ft long from prop to bow.

https://hamiltonmarine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Navigation-Lights-USCG-Requirements.pdf

Have to be on the hull and have to have correct arc visibility. You can have additional lights on the center console but they are in addition to the USCG required hull lights.

Not exactly accurate there.

Do a simple Google search for "Texas Game Warden Boat".
Then go to images.
You will see numerous examples of the Texas Game Wardens boats with the nav lights on the console.
They will be the ones enforcing this on inspection.

Mine are on the center console of a 24' boat and I've been checked by Coast Guard and Game Wardens with no issues.

This is answered in the USCG navigation rules of the road that you can find free online.

This is a safety alert from USCG in regards to nav lights. . It covers placement and ABYC requirements along with info on making sure the lights you buy are approved by USCG and ABYC.
It's not so much about passing a game warden inspection as it is having lights that provide the optimum safety for yourself or others.
Some manufacturers have quit mounting nav red/green lights on the consoles of CC's due to the fact that people often stand on the sides of the consoles when running or rods and fish nets etc. often block the lights.
The boat may technically pass the requirements but it may not be the totally safest application.
My company no longer mounts nav light on the consoles due to the above possible liability.
https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/Alerts/1015.pdf

As usual on a boating thread, Gunny replies and you can pretty much shut the thread down. As a relatively new boat owner, I appreciate your expertise.

Kind words. Thank you. I feel the same way on your threads on vet stuff and other topics as well.

Thanks for the responses. As usual I got the answers I was hoping to get.

25' X3 the nav lights on the console......

This is a good point Gunny. If I'm driving in the dark I won't let two people sit on the ice chest in front of the console. If two sit there, their shoulders stick out enough to cover both lights.

Yes on my 3 boats i moved all of mine to the shark eye style on the bow. I have customers all the time and not being able to sit by the console is not an option.

I mentioned the game warden boats above because I called em out on it during a friendly exchange and they said yes they agree.... but thats how their boats come sooooo.... they dont ticket for it on inspection. Same thing with the white all around light on the motor cowling..... and mounted same on many game warden boats.

Your rear white light is required to be 1 meter (3.3") above your red/green per USCG regs. Should you choose to move your nave lights to the console, that will not meet the height requirements and they are easily blocked by people or gear. They are required to have a 112.5 degree arc visible for 1 nautical mile. Unless you are running a 360 masthead light on top of a T-top, is best to have your lights low towards the bow.

You will often see stern lights (white light) mounted on the cowling of the engine. These are usually not legal by the height requirements, but they are typically not enforced.

Haven't had bow mounted on any of boats since our mid 80s bass boat. 2 center console offshore and 1 cc bay boat all had them on the cc. Offshore boats were mounted on top of the t-top. Bay boat was mounted on either side of the console itself.

What TXCAV says. For powered vessels less than 39.4 ft …….,As long as the red/green nav lights are visible from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft of the beam of their respective sides or visible arc of 112 degrees they are technically legal. However the masthead/stern light is required to be 39.6" above the nav red/green lights. This vertical separation is for observers to tell the orientation and direction of the vessel. So if the nav lights are mounted on the top of a T-Top the masthead lights must be 39.6" above them.
It is the sole responsibility of the boat captain/owner to insure the nav lights are visible, unobstructed in required view range, and operational to meet USCG performance requirements.
Negatives to having nav lights (red/green) mounted to console sides is 1.) Easily obstructed by people 2.) Oftentimes covered up by fish nets, gaffs, rods etc. 3.) Can be blinding and distracting to the boat operator.
Due to the above liabilities many ABYC and NMMA certified manufacturers have discontinued installing nav lights on consoles.