Deck lights, recommendations?

[ShawnQ]

I just bought a Blue Wave Center Console boat, and I am going to do a considerable amount of late evening/night fishing, and I am looking for either a battery powered OR a hardwired 'courtesy' light to mount on my center console, actually 2 of them.<br /><br />Any recommendations for a good, easy to install light? I would prefer a 'flush mount' style, but any recommendations will be considered. The brighter the better!<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Shawn

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Deck lights, recommendations?

I am just starting to evaluate lighting (interior, navigation, docking, spot/search) for our project. For your application, it seems LED’s have a lot going for them, price not being one of them. They have a lower power draw for the same output as conventional lamps, and are very durable. Everywhere I look they get really good reviews all around. I don’t know if this is ideal for what you need. Maybe someone else here has more info on LED’s for center consoles.

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: Deck lights, recommendations?

Any idea what kind of light they put out? <br /><br />I want something that you can put your hands near at night and be able to re-tie a hook easily.<br /><br />(I can do this with no light, but everyone on the boat wont be as experienced..)<br /><br />They need to make a 'tap light' for marine use! Tap On! Tap Off!<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Shawn

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Deck lights, recommendations?

There are LED docking lights that will make raisins out of your eyeballs. LED nav/anchoring lights that are rated for 2nm, down to handheld LED flashlights currently used by the military due to their lightweight, durability, bright, and easy on battery juice. A lot of products have lifetime warranty on the LED’s. If you have limited battery resources and are out all night fishing, perhaps an LED light will work for you and save battery juice.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Deck lights, recommendations?

I'm in the Same Boat.....(Pun intended)<br />I've found Red LEDs from several manufactures... Mostly LED Marker lights for Trailers,+ LED 3rd Brake lights for SUVs.....<br />I'm using a couple of Different Circuits... Some mounted up under the gunnels,(minimun light, so you don't Trip on things), for indirect lighting, some on the gunnels for more direct lighting,(a little more for hunting for tackleboxes,etc,)+ some mounted on my bimini for downward lighting(for Rigging, reading line counters, tying knots, etc,)....<br />LEDs seem to really be the ticket.... Low Power demands..... I've found Many different styles listed on ebay.....<br />I use the Red 1s to help with night blindness, but many colors are now available, including white.....

 

[TPD211]

Re: Deck lights, recommendations?

We have red led's on our police boat, they are bright.<br /><br />Try www.Galls.com <br />look for this, Galls® EXT Single LED Light and Mirror Beams with Gaskets, its waterproof and comes in white, red, blue, green, amber colors.<br /><br />There are other types also, you will have to search for them.

 

[Franki]

Re: Deck lights, recommendations?

I've been dying to replace all the lights on my boat with LEDs, Nav, dash, anchor etc..<br /><br />Not having to worry so much about battery life would be a big plus...<br /><br />Problem is they are not really available in Australia yet.. at least not common.. We are the A$$ of the world down here, we get everything 5 years after the rest of the western world. :-(<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Franki

 

[lilthundr]

Re: Deck lights, recommendations?

If you do lots of night fishing, the one thing you should not be without is an Eveready headlight. It runs on 3AAA batteries which last for about 50 hours. And it puts very very white light exactly where you need it without blinding anyone around you. Check out the EVEREADY website for more details.<br />As for lights on your center console, any automotive place will sell you 2inch by 4 inch automotive lights that you can hardwire. I have used them for years and never had a problem with them. Mount a toggle switch near your other controls and it will look and work like "factory installed"<br />That is just my humble opinion

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Deck lights, recommendations?

Another cool thing about LED lights is that you don’t have to change the bulb so the housing can be made waterproof. A lot of the stuff from Holly Solar is waterproof and is sold thru marine supply. There has to be other manufactures as well.<br /><br /> http://www.hollysolar.com <br /><br /> http://www.cabelas.com <br /><br />Cabelas sells a nice little 6-LED strip light that might be idle for what you are after if wired to a simple tap switch.<br /><br />- LED's use 1/10 of the power of a comparable (brightness) halogen light<br />- LED’s use 10 milliamps per hour / per LED (6-LED light will use 60ma, etc.)<br />- LED's will function up to 100,000 hours of continuous usage, and are shock resistant.<br />- 18 LED's is the approximate equivalent of a 10 watt halogen light bulb.<br /><br />That said, the automotive light's mentioned above will likely be less expensive and in reality, the add'l battery power they consumed may not be a significant issue.

 

[richg99]

Re: Deck lights, recommendations?

shawn congratulations. I see you finally found the "perfect boat". Blue Wave has a good rep and I hope you enjoy her. <br />RichG99

 

[mole2]

Re: Deck lights, recommendations?

Originally posted by ShawnQ:<br />I just bought a Blue Wave Center Console boat, and I am going to do a considerable amount of late evening/night fishing, and I am looking for either a battery powered OR a hardwired 'courtesy' light to mount on my center console, actually 2 of them.

These might be just what you're looking for:<br /><br /> http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=52968 <br /><br />Good luck with the new boat.