LED spot light on bow rail

[Snider]

It seems to me a great compromise would be a manual mounted light like you see on police cars. It would mount on the roof and the handle would be just above your head so you could point it where you want. Anyone know where you could get something like that?

Edit:Something like this

http://www.grote.com/products/63921-par-46-hand-adjustable-spot-lamp-spot/

[thataway]

Problem with light on the top of the cabin is the glare and flare from the foredeck and railings--they are enough to really kill the vision. Plus lights should be used very sparingly--and one needs to preserve the night vision.

If you only need the light to check position when at anchor--this works well--but so does a good hand held flashlight or spotlight.

Another option I have used is a low intensity "tractor utility light" mounted on a magnet so I can put it on the anchor--and just plug it into the 12 volt cig. plug when I need a light in front of the boat.

[Snider]

Good points about the glare. We’ve always been very protective of our night vision and have set up all of our other boats with red lights to run at night. In hindsight I think as sparingly as we’d use a spot, that a handheld one would be sufficient. Plus it would save a few holes in the boat. If we do have to use a white light at night while underway you can preserve a little night vision by just closing one eye.

[thataway]

Yes, closing one eye helps as does red light...but better to have no lights. (Military has used green, blue and purple at low levels also). Red is best.

When an eye is exposed to bright light one of the adaptions is for both pupils to constrict.. Even in the closed eye this will decrease the night vision. The main adaption is a chemical in the rods called "Rhodopsin". When exposed to light it takes 30 minutes to regenerate. Only a few seconds of white light deplete the Rhodopsin. One trick is to use only red lights (which we have done on our boats for many years), and the adaption back to full night vision then only takes 10 minutes or less. But even direct exposure to red light will cause some loss of night vision. Combat troops will often wear red goggles or remain only in the presence of red light, and then still adapt for 10 minutes before deployment. Certainly a dim red light is far better than any white light. We have 5 different red lights in the pilot house of our 22. Each of the fans in our bunk have a red light activated by remote switch. There is a 3 LED red light on a switch I can reach from the bun, which is high above the aft cabin door. One light shines on the table, on the galley counter and on the floor. We have a red chart light, and a red light right above the helm also. I keep a red/white flashlight at my bedside--both at home and on the boat. My primary red light is only one lumen. The secondary red is about 5 lumen. One lumen will seem like a lot of light when you are totally dark adapted.

Night vision is best used by looking to the side of an object and scanning. The cones which are primarily day vision are in the macula, or center of sharp vision. The rods are distributed thru out the rest of the eye, and the reason to look "off center" when gazing into the darkness. Even when using "night glass" binoculars, (Binoculars with large objective lenses--such as 7 x 50) you need to be looking off center to find the object you are looking for.

[hardee]

[Snider]

Speaking of lights. The best light I’ve bought ever is the little Mini Mk II Turbo. It’s about the size of your thumb and works great for a spot when you need it but don’t have your handheld. Plus since it’s so small it’s easy to just always carry in your pocket. It has several programs to choose from . The one I use can go from a very dim night light to a very strong light with two varying levels in between. In even has an SOS and strobe function. My wife liked it so much that she bought one for herself that she uses a lot. It’s also rechargeable. Just takes a little red film over the lens to turn it into a great night light.

Mini Turbo MK II https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078JMML9N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2qLZAbKZDB4SB

[thataway]

If you want to go to small pocket lights, the one I have been using for several years Has white beam from 1 lumen to 900 lumen (turbo) and the 1 lumen red. (Multiple white powers from 70 to 450). Impact resistant, submersible to 2 meters, very rugged construction. It does use rechargeable batteries or a CR123A 3 volt battery--so you had to have a charger (another $20), but I use that charger for a number of other batteries.

But I use a portable shaped beam, very similar to what Harvey uses at the helm of the boat. I also do have "docking" lights both fore and aft on the cabin top--but these are for coming into the dock--to illuminate the area around, as well as the deck and cockpit/water or beach aft of the boat.

[Marco Flamingo]

I have a remote control Golight and don't have much trouble with reflection off of the bow railing because of gaffer's tape. I put the tape on because the bright sun can reflect at just about any angle. Gaffer's tape on the back side of the rail doesn't show (except to me) and is simple to install.

Mark

http://www.c-brats.com/albums/album2417/102_0168.jpg

[ssobol]

How durable is your gaffers tape?

I put some on my boat and it didn't last that long. It dries out and starts falling off. Maybe the environment you use it in is more benign.

[Snider]

I’ve been also thinking about “docking” lights. Do you guys find them very useful?

[thataway]

Don't use docking lights often. There are also "docking lights" which recess into the hull, and are more like "headlights"...not a good idea to keep any white light on any more than a few moments unless actually docking.

I live on a fairly narrow bayou--and some moonless lights, I will use the docking lights to highlight any obstructions...usually there is enough skylight. When I get to the lift or dock, they illuminate the docking action.

[colbysmith]

I've come across a few pontoons in the past year that thought they were driving a car. Had the white "headlights" on half way across the lake. Sorry folks, those are not proper navigation lights, and while they might be useful right at the dock, if you can't see where you are going using proper navigation procedures and gear, don't go out at night! OTOH, a single spotlight used judiciously to help dodge obstructions or find a channel is somewhat acceptable! Just don't shine it at other boats unless you are trying to blind them!

[ssobol]

The problem I see with the usual installation of docking lights is that they are positioned much like car head lights. I find that when docking I am not as concerned with what is in front of me, but more what is to the sides (like the dock). Fixed lights shooting ahead don't seem that useful. I have considered putting lights (e.g. a fixed spreader light) on the edge of the cabin top that shoots to the side and down. However, most ramps and marinas are sufficiently lit IME that they are not really necessary.

[smckean (Tosca)]

[hardee]