Actually, the US is not phasing out incandescent bulbs. The hype/media reports have, as usual, little to do with what's really happening.
For the most important aspect to boaters - it has no effect at all since it doesn't affect light bulbs at all at/below 40W ratings (or above 150W). And all the legislation requires is that bulbs within that category be 30 percent more efficient than they are now. So if GE, or whoever, can make a 100W incandescent bulb 30 percent more efficient than current ones (as of the 2007 legislation), then there will still be 100W incandescent bulbs. But it will have no effect on "specialty bulbs" or "appliance bulbs." 100W bulbs are the first that have to meet the new standard.
The whole thing is another media "makeover."
But it is true that if you use a lot of 60W bulbs for your reading lights or whatever, and nobody actually comes up with a more efficient incandescent, there is a good possibility that you will have to switch to florescents at some point.
