Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

[bobgritz]

I am a commercial clammer who needs to go out 365/7 and oftentimes we need to go out pre-dawn or are returning after sunset. We travel in the shallows and we need to stay in narrow channels at low tides. I need lights capable of penetrating 1-2 feet of water and that can light up the bottom in total darkness.

I was planning to mount a couple of waterproof lights at the front (sides) of my boat and they would point slightly forward and downward so that I can see the bottom. At low tides we travel at very low (idle) speeds and we use long tiller extensions so that we can stand at mid-boat.

The usual autopart retailers sell many types of auxillary waterproof lights and before I waste time and money on the wrong item, I was wondering if anyone had actual experience with this concept. I have an electric start motor so there's 12 volts available. I've been looking at everything from fog lamps to spot lights but don't know which is best.

If anyone has actual night time 'thru-the-water' lighting experience I'd appreciate your input. Cost is an issue so I'm looking for conventional off-the-shelf products. Thank you.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

I would think you should be looking at some sort of sealed LED lighting. Regular auto lights are going to drain a battery pretty fast.

But otherwise - something like this is built for the job, just make sure you have an extra battery.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boat...Rprd700055&WTz_l=SBC;BRprd700055;cat104325480

 

[kemo111]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

We would need more information. Boat size motor size charging ability. oldjeep is correct about power draw but fails to mention that the L.E.D lights may not be bright enough. You never see L.E.D headlights because they just can not produce enough light (simplified explanation). Hid have low power draw and can be very bright but also expensive. Standard driving lights maybe your best bet but you may run your battery dead. Running at idle speed your charging unit is not working at its full potential most engines would need to be up to 3000 or 4000 rpms to be at full capacity.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

I would think you should be looking at some sort of sealed LED lighting. Regular auto lights are going to drain a battery pretty fast.

But otherwise - something like this is built for the job, just make sure you have an extra battery.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boat...Rprd700055&WTz_l=SBC;BRprd700055;cat104325480

That light is for freshwater only OJ.



What have you been using and what are you using now Bobgritz?

Just about any high powered lighting will suck a battery dry pretty quick.

Have you considered a small portable generator and some exterior flood or spot lights?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

You never see L.E.D headlights because they just can not produce enough light (simplified explanation).

You never see LED headlights? Step into the 21st century with the rest of us

http://www.audileds.com/

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

I have some LED underwater lights on my transom to help with netting salmon. Wish i could remember the brand, boat is stored and can't go out and look. Anyway, they work great for that purpose and I guess I can see 3 or 4 feet down though its hard to tell since we are in 100' or more when using them. They were not cheap though I remember like $75 each or so. Not much help except that I know they are out there.

 

[h2odick]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

I use LED's brighter than most car headlights on a weekly basis (offroad LED lighting), they are also in waterproof enclosures..
Check this place out for example: https://www.rigidindustries.com/

They have "marine" LED lights as well, but they're externally mounted.

 

[bobgritz]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

Thanks for replies.

Most of us use 14' aluminum boats with 15-25HP motors. Our trip to our preferred flat-of-the-day is never more than 5 minutes away plus the fact that I would only need lighting about 10-15% of the days. In other words, the other 85% of the time we go out and return under normal lighting conditions therefore those days would not draw any juice from battery. Perhaps the power generated by the outboard (on the 85% days) would be sufficient to replace the depleted electricity. The battery could also be recharged once on dry land.

Please keep in mind, I'm not trying to power the lights on 'Alvin' but only need to cut through 12" of clear water. I would think that even rechargeable spot lights (such as those used in the Tyrannosaurus scene on Jurassic Park) might do the trick. Those things seem to project a spectacular beam.

I was even thinking of using something like the old fashioned side-mounted lights from the 50's police cars. What about simple fog lights or auxilliary head lights that are mounted on the front of cars. They're waterproof, use 12 volts and are dirt cheap (AutoZone and Amazon have a pair for $25).

One last note, these lights would be mounted on a temporary frame and would only be attached on the boat when needed and would not take continuous weather abuse.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

Just realize that "waterproof" lights from autozone, doesn't mean that they are made to be submerged, it means that the rain won't hurt them.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

flounder giggers use lights like you describe. You can buy them and they are expensive. You can make them; research "flounder gigging" on line. of course, all salt water. Some of the homemade rigs use sealed lights.

For obvious reasons they should be lifted out when not in use; the giggers have them rigged for this.

Once you see all the fish there you will want to carry a gig too!

 

[kemo111]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

I guess you showed me. Now wonder where i can buy me a set of them there L.E.D. headlights without the 60,000.00 car attached?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

I guess you showed me. Now wonder where i can buy me a set of them there L.E.D. headlights without the 60,000.00 car attached?

They come on Kias now, but for aftermarket - this link that was posted earlier would be your best bet: https://www.rigidindustries.com/

 

[kemo111]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

They come on Kias now, but for aftermarket - this link that was posted earlier would be your best bet: https://www.rigidindustries.com/

Some very nice lights for off road and driving light im just not sure any of the would be legal to run as a headlight. Then no one seems to address power consumption. Sure you could gather a million l.E.D. bulbs into a reflector and blind a bat but how much power would it take compare to the same amount of light generated with H.I.D. or a standard halogen bulb. As far as Kia goes i know they have L.E.D. fog lights some models have L.E.D. daytime running lamps but see nothing about headlights.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

You don't need much of a light and they are easy to find and range from less than $10.00 to about $600.00.

Just look on ebay for "waterproof 12 volt LED lights" or "marine LED lights".

There are several options, you can get a permanent through hull model, temporary lights you can drop over the side, or stick-on types.

If your not using them often just make a bracket that hangs off the gunwale and positions the light underwater.

Most of the LED lights will run for many hours on a lawnmower battery if needed.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

Some very nice lights for off road and driving light im just not sure any of the would be legal to run as a headlight. Then no one seems to address power consumption. Sure you could gather a million l.E.D. bulbs into a reflector and blind a bat but how much power would it take compare to the same amount of light generated with H.I.D. or a standard halogen bulb. As far as Kia goes i know they have L.E.D. fog lights some models have L.E.D. daytime running lamps but see nothing about headlights.

In application like the one the OP is talking about, you would simply never use more energy with LED technology... even if you had to use a ton of diodes to get you to the right amount of light output.

Heat is wasted energy, pure and simple, and LED lights, unlike halogens, simply don't make much of it.

 

[mrdancer]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

Hmmm....... lotsa misinformation on this thread about LED lighting!

- LED lighting is approaching HID lighting in terms of brightness and throw.
- LED lighting far exceeds HID lighting in terms of output (lumens) per watt used.
- LEDs do get very hot, but all of the heat is concentrated in an area about the size of a pin head.
- With LEDs, you often get what you pay for (but avoid the ones being sold with a lot of marketing hype).
- It is easy to make an LED light that is bright, difficult to make an LED light that can handle that brightness for many years.
- Better (more expensive) LED lights have much better heat dissipation (for cooling) and much better lens designs.
- The "throw" of an LED light depends greatly on the lens design, better lights have better lenses.

Problems with LEDs:
- Cheaply-made LED lights may be bright, but have poor heatsinking and will not last anywhere near mfr's claims.
- Cheaply-made LED lights may be bright, but have poor output due to poor lens design (test before you buy, if possible).
- Cheaply-made LED lights may have strange color tints (color tint is probably the biggest complaint about LED lighting - again, be sure to "try before you buy" or adequately research a product you're interested in).

As mentioned above, investigate the "waterproof" claims. Many are "waterproof" as long as they are not submerged, where water pressure can break past their seals. Many are waterproof to several meters for a given amount of time (half-hour or so). Better ones can be submerged for days with no harm. Good lights have good seals (usually double o-rings, lubricated), square threads and much better overall build quality.

Btw, I have on my keychain a AAA waterproof flashlight that will outshine/outthrow both my 3C and 3D incan maglights, and last many times longer.

For more info on LED lighting, check out candlepowerforums.com.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Need (bottom-lighting) ideas for darkness boating in shallows

My friend has basicly the same setup as yours 15' tinny with tiller, mounted to the front are a row of led/s. Unfortunately the motor is back in the shop or I could give you a good report on the lights. Should have been out on it all week.