Flood / Docking Lights Mounted on Radar Arch

L

Little Catelyn

New member
I'm NOT a morning person, and will probably find myself coming-in after dark a lot. I'll be working with Tanner on the design of a radar arch for my new boat, and was wondering about installing some flood lights on the arch to assist in docking and boarding. Since my only real C-Dory experience has been a short test drive with Les after I first ordered my boat, I would like some advice...

First, are side-mounted flood lights something that I will need, or find useful? Seems like a good idea to me.

Next, would the radar arch be a good place to mount these? I was thinking maybe a light on either side mounted on the cross-bars that join the main fore and aft bars.

And, if you're still with me, are there any good quality flood lights out there? Stainless steel or chrome would look best. Most of what I've found look like they may be rather cheap, or worse, leak. I read one review where the customer was VERY unhappy with their purchase -- lights were poorly made and leaked -- removed the lights and tried to return them.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Corwin
 
You probably don't want to mount a flood light up top...reason being, you'll be blinded by the reflection off your bow rail.

Dave (Sea Shift) turned me on to a cool solution when our boats were getting rigged - we both had stainless plates mounted to our bow rails, and installed remote control GoLights. Here's a pic of mine during installation, and here's a link to several models at the manufacturer's web site.

No glare, works great.
 
I've been out a lot at night and actually prefer not to use the spot light most of the time (mine is just a rechargeable handheld). It takes 20-30 minutes to get your maximum night vision, but only a second of bright light to lose it.
 
I understand the quick loss of night vision, but when docking, I'm there and don't care! How and where did you get the plate mounted? (factory wouldn't do stainless) Where did you run the wires?
 
Know what you mean about losing night vision. I try to use just enough light for the task. Save the 2MIL CP light for turning night into day. I took the cheap route and could not be happier. Cost was eleven dollars. Found a magnetic mount 55W halagen light at WalMart.

Throws a good amount of 160* light for night moves/docking/fishing. Sticks great to the plow anchor and hangs down out of sight from the helm. There is no better place for a forward mounted fixed light IMO. No Glare in the windows as it is below deck level and no holes in the boat. Has a workboat look to it. Fused 15 ft wire runs under the unused anchor deck pipe.

If I plan on using the anchor, the light then sticks on top of the deck pipe. It comes with a cig adapter but can be hard wired. I hard wired in a three socket cig adapter to the circuit breaker for the windlass. The adapter is on the starboard side of the fuse panel. Then I can cycle the light on and off with the breaker or anything else like the oscilating fan. I like the cig plug. If I boat three weekends during the day, leave the light off of the bow of the boat. If I overnight or find myself out after dark? Pop it on. EASY...

If needed I have a cig adapter by the batteries. So this light can be used as a fish atractor, cockpit light or an excellent maintenance light if you need to do any engine work after hours. Want a side docking light? Stick it on the roof grab rail. I think it will stick to the window sill as well. It has a swivel base. I even use it on my garden tractor. Get a flat at night on the tow vehicle or trailer? This light is what you want. Cheap :thup Versatility :thup

The pic in my album is lame. When I get out I'll try to get a pic of the light in action. Life has been keeping me busy...
 
Wow! I just got home and found all these replies -- thanks!

When I posted this topic, I almost added that I also hoped to eventually add a remote spot-light to the bow handrail. I've already been looking at the pros and cons of where to mount a spot light -- and I'm glad there was so much information available here on this site -- but, that will be a project that must wait until after I take delivery of my boat.

No, right now I'm working on the details for a new radar arch and wondered if some of those rectangular flood lights might be nice to incorporate in the plan. Hey, might be easier to locate my first mate after she misses the dock.

Thanks,
Corwin
 
Da Nag,

I've researched the spot-light issue here, and 'for me' the mounting arrangement you've done looks like the way to go. It is nice to learn from the experience of you and everyone else on this board! Just think of all the holes you all have saved -- NO, no, no, those holes that would otherwise have been drilled in the boat.

From what I've seen, I will probably 'go' with one of the golight models. When I do get to this project, I will look into the possibility of using a removable mount IF the wires can be run through the railing with a plug-in located at the mounting plate for the light. Don't know how well a 12V outlet would work at that location.
 
C-Weed: "I took the cheap route and could not be happier. Cost was eleven dollars."

Just to let you know you're not alone . . . couldn't be happier with the light. No holes, no big money, no muss, no fuss, it just works.

Matt
 
Flagold: Glad to hear your satisfied. :smile Another neat thing about hanging the light below the anchor. You can loosen the swivel mount. Then as the bow raises up off the water as your speed increases the light self adjusts to remain level with the water. Slow down and the light readjusts. Now if that gravity operated :idea ain't slick...
 
Luna C, I found it in the isle with all the lights but it was hidden on the very top shelf. It was called a work light. The only one they had and I haven't seen one since. I haven't seen one like it in any auto parts stores but I am sure there are some around somewhere.
 
C-Weed:

Evidently you're a more advanced Wal Mart user than I am . . . I've just been sticking mine above the anchor on the flapper (danforth).

I found mine in the auto-parts section, but at Wal Mart, they could be anywhere. If you have a picture of it handy, it could help people to find out what it is.

I get RADAR tomorrow --Whooo Hoooo!!!!!
 
Corwin,
If you'll look up page 4 of the Sea Shift album you'll see a couple of pictures that show the port and starboard docking/flood lights and the rear flood light all mounted on the radar arch. These lights complement the Go-Light mounted on the bow pulpit. Although, I've not needed to utilize them much, they sure can light up the area!
 
Here is a pic of the magnetic base light. About the size of the factory cockpit light. Why yes, that IS real gold on that cig adapter. The red LED light shows fuse is good and power is available. The last pic I posted didn't work. Soooo if not here look on page 3 in my album.

Image001_004.sized.jpg
 
Dave,

So, that's your boat. I had seen those pictures and I liked your arrangement so much that I became interested in stealing your idea. I'll be in the process of having an arch made for my boat, so if I'm going to do this, now would be the time.

Does your GoLight mounted on the pulpit railing negate the need for the flood lights mounted on your arch, or is the spotlight's beam too narrow to light-up the area close-in and along side?

Do you have any problems with how and where your lights are mounted? I'm considering a second set of cross-bars placed near the bend in the main bars for a mounting location -- lights would be a little higher and the lower cross-bar would make for a nice hand-hold.

Do your flood lights look like they will last? What about leaking?

Thanks,
Corwin
 
Hi Corwin,
My arch was constructed in your back/front yard. (ie: Brooks in Anacortes).
The Go-Light would probably suffice for illumination on the sides, but I chose to have the side "fixed" mount flood lights on the sides as well so I could achieve 360 degree illumination all at the same moment in time.
The only problem I have with the way the lights are mounted is in regard to the rear facing flood light. Because the stainless steel where it is attached to is curved, the mounting bracket is different from the much better brackets on the port and starboard scene light. This difference does not allow as sturdy of a mounting, causing the light to vibrate downward while underway. Additionally, when the camper back is deployed the rear scene light is not mounted high enough to shine over the top of the camperback. (Without the camperback deployed, the illumination is fantastic for the cockpit, engines and into the water to the rear of the vessel).
The flood lights are of high quality, and appear to be lasting. We've had no problem with water intrusion even under the pressure of a garden hose when performing washdown.
Does a person need all this lighting? Probably not, but I felt that if I ever felt the need for it that it would be a nice adjunct. (Guess it stems from my line of work, where at night time I enjoy great illumination surrounding me).
Additionally, I believe that Brooks installed the mounting plate for the bow mounted Go-Light. The Go-Light is controlled by a switch on the dash and also comes with a hand held remote. Last summer, I utilized the hand held from the shore of Lake Roosevelt, while "Sea Shift" was at anchor. We were able to sit in the lounge chairs on shore and spot deer along the lake drinking water. (You know.....men and their toys!). :smiled
 
When I read this thread a few weeks back, I decided to add some photos to my album showing the cabin top flood and search lights I've added to my boat.

Here is the link to the six photos in my album:

Sea Wolf

I don't have an arch for the radar, but have mounted them on the cabin top directly, except for the forward Jabsco remote search & flood light which is mounted on the bow pulpit to allow its use without reflecting on the railing and blinding you.

The four floods are inexpensive from Harbor Freight Tools, but seem to work just fine without corrosion issues, although I'm usually not in salt water.

The Q-Beam rear flood is detachable and can be handheld when desired.

Besides the two auxiliaries hand helds pictured on the cooler, I also have a magnetic based flood that's still in the package under the dinette rear seat.

I'm going to add a polished stainless reflector over each of the four floods to reflect about 1/3 of the light side ways rather than install side lights. Joe.
 
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