DECK LIGHT QUESTIONS

O

oneeyedjackass

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 20, 2016
Messages
156
Fluid Motion Model
C-242 C
Vessel Name
NIXIE
Hi Folks
Trying to get some feed back on deck light. On the R23 it would mount up on the mast and shine down at about a 45' angle to the bow. How much help are they for navigating slow speed at night? Do the stainless railings reflect back to much to be of any use? Would like to have some light to miss logs & pots 😉
 
Big topic as Bruce suggested.

Don’t mount anywhere than at the bow if you can!

I do wonder if an LED powered lamp with a more narrow beam would help with the glare of the white gelcoat
 
It's not the chrome rail that gets you (me). It is the entire bow deck that is bright white. It made the spotlight useless.

I decided that the spotlight is jut too wide a spot. It needed something to narrow the beam. I was going to construct a cylinder but found gallon paint cans at the hardware store. Added some dowels to hold it in alignment with the spotlight housing, painted the interior flat black and used an elastic velcro strap to hold it in place.

I realize it's not a thing of beauty, but I only use it if it's going to get dark on the way home. I also considered it to be just a prototype, but it worked so well I decided to stop there.

See my photo album for a couple photos.
 
agreed. the white gelcoat is blinding. the 45 searay sundancers have the lamp on the bow for this reason. although they dont look like can take a wave as a result

I like the ingenuity with the paint can!

I wonder whether an upgrade to the docking lights from their current 50w halogens could yield useful results?

in truth I dont want a light whilst out cruising. I have radar for that. its only for close quarter maneuveringl i find the dock lights are useful in a dark marina at night.
 
to be honest I have wondered whether leaning out of the window with a powerful LED flashlight would be just as good. its worth trying before spending and time and money on one of these installs!
 
Cutwater28GG":3k0c63y0 said:
to be honest I have wondered whether leaning out of the window with a powerful LED flashlight would be just as good. its worth trying before spending and time and money on one of these installs!
Click to expand...

This is what I've used over the years - a hand-held spotlight, held outside the helm window. It seems that some folks out on the water think a boat needs "headlights," like a car. Not only does that mess with your night vision, it is also displaying inappropriate lights as per Federal Navigation Rules.

A hand-held spotlight works good to pick out nav aids, and if used carefully, can avoid lighting up the deck/rail in front of the helm, preserving night vision.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pr ... -spotlight
 
Cutwater28GG":3vsnrr2t said:
to be honest I have wondered whether leaning out of the window with a powerful LED flashlight would be just as good. its worth trying before spending and time and money on one of these installs!
Click to expand...
I guess it would depend on boat. This is the reason I'm trying to sort something out. With the R23 you get way to much reflection and it makes the hand held spot useless for anything over a quick look. still seaching...
 
whats your use case oneeyed? coming into a marina? navigating a channel?
 
Cutwater28GG":j0fno1vx said:
whats your use case oneeyed? coming into a marina? navigating a channel?
Click to expand...
yes and yes. short hops at night wanting to see fishing pots, logs etc... and in unfamilar marinas looking for signs, slips and stuff. we don't like to be out there at night, but when it happens it's nice if you can see a bit.
 
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