Searchlight Installation

[Subs]

I'm interested in installing a searchlight on my 2018 C28 and I'm curious if the 12V cable is still run to area where they are installed optionally from the factory. If it is there, I would assume that its already connected to the fuse block behind the helm area?

Secondly, does anyone have any experience with the ACR RCL 85? I have used their aluminum housed lights on other boats and haven't had any issues but I don't have any experience with the plastic housed or LED lights.

Thanks!

 

[Cutwater28GG]

i dont know your reasons but wanted to provide some feedback on the searchlights value in the default location on the cutwater28

basically it makes the foredeck and rails very bright and is not that effective for searching at night.

If you dont plan to use the step ladder on the bow pulpit, personally I think it might make a much better location for the light. you could run the power from cabling to the windlass. You would need to run the control cable. Unless someone makes a wireless unit these days??

 

[knotflying]

I agree with cutwater28GG. Having a flight forward on the bow will provide better lighting. Overhead results in too much reflection from the rails and limits night sight.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

I moved the spotlight up on the mast above the radome on my 2012 R27 hoping the radome would shadow the bow and rails. It does, but only enough to provide a marginal improvement in utility.

One R27 owner made a baffle for the spotlight out of a paint can and reported that it eliminated the bow/rail glare issue. I plan to try that next. Moving the spotlight to a position forward on the bow or railing would be an involved process, but that is where spotlights are mounted on most smaller boats.

 

[bluestreak]

We have a fixed mount ACR light on the mast of the patrol boat we use for CG Aux patrols.
It is on a 25 ft Boston Whaler cabin boat, dull black rails on the bow.
The light reflected back from the light gray colored fiberglass is bad enough to almost make the light ineffective for night SAR's.
A better option is a handheld spotlight and CAREFUL AIMING of the light to avoid/minimize reflections.
We have put a crew member on the bow with a handheld spot with better results.
My 2 cents worth.
Bill

 

[Subs]

Just to follow up, yes the ACR searchlight i'm looking for is wireless control. Not real sure what the connection is but I'm leaning towards this system. It can't be too bad considering all of the rest of the wireless technology we use. I do have a handheld spot light that is used for the dinghy, man overboard, and general scenarios. I am used to using fixed mount searchlights and find them useful in boats with full pilot houses. I'm not keen on having crew members on the bow at night on the 28 since getting there is a little treacherous and sticking an arm out the window doesn't seem like the best option either. I have used handhelds on express cruisers and center consoles thought and wouldn't recommend anything else for that kind of scenario.

I have heard of the glare issue off the bow before and it does concern me. I have no experience at all with the 28 and a roof mounted searchlight but I do have quite a bit of experience with roof mounted searchlights on larger sport fishing boats and trawlers. I'm used to using one on a Mainship Pilot 34 that is roof mounted. Is the C28 worse than any of these and for what reason? Is my use case possibly different? Most of my use revolves around coming from open water and needing to visually confirm break walls and reflective markers at night time before entering a harbor. These are usually quick hits of light searching for things that are at least a couple hundred yards away and often not directly in front of the boat. I also wonder if you guys think the beam angle and the height of the light off the roof may make a difference? The beam angle on the light I'm looking at is only 8 degrees and it's pretty low profile. I do like using bow mounted lights but I also use the ladder up there.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in. Still hoping to hear from the factory if there is a power wire installed to their normal spot. If you're interested, here's a link to the light I'm looking at:

https://www.acrartex.com/products/rcl-85

Hope everyone is staying safe!