LED spot light on bow rail

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/re ... ZAbKZDB4SB
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
you can buy a can of Pringle chips, eat them and then cut out the end of the can and you have a really good light guide...
Click to expand...
Hardee,

I like this idea very much. Do you need to use the entire length of the Pringle can, or can it be shortened (I'm thinking of ease of storage).

And does the Pringle can fit nicely on the end of the West Marine hand-held light you highlighted?
 
smckean (Tosca)":3u60exmo said:
you can buy a can of Pringle chips, eat them and then cut out the end of the can and you have a really good light guide...
Click to expand...
Hardee,

I like this idea very much. Do you need to use the entire length of the Pringle can, or can it be shortened (I'm thinking of ease of storage).

And does the Pringle can fit nicely on the end of the West Marine hand-held light you highlighted?
Click to expand...

I played around with several versions. It was hard but yes, I ate the chips first :wink: Had to to get the "raw" material. I tried lining the canister with aluminum foil. Bad = makes the light scatter decreasing the narrow beam. I used a half length = just makes a wider beam again. My favorite was the BBQ version, oh, and I left it full length. I liked that beam pattern best. I tried one with black paint inside the tube. Not a really appreciable improvement.

AND yes, it fits on the end of that light pictured (West Marine LED Super Spot) just right, snug and straight.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

Friends_Cal_09_10_Oct.thumb.jpg
 
Rock-C":2icpprqk said:
I would like to mount a LED spot light on the bow rail & run the wiring through the railing. Any tips on making the transition from the rail into the v-birth area ? I'm concerned about sealing the deck under the rail plate.
Click to expand...

Here is how I did this project. Polished a piece of 10ga 316L fit & welded it to the bow rail (tig), ran wire on the outside of the rail, made my own cable clam into the V-berth. 1 spot & 1flood can see approx 100' clearly in the Dark of Alaska winters. Can't go fast (5-6 knots) but can travel after dark. No glare :wink:

:mrgreen:


IMG_0163.jpg
 
ssobol":2uiic2yw said:
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.
Click to expand...

At least two years. I just pulled mine off yesterday and some of the sticky had gone hard, but it was still holding okay. Used "GooP Off" to clean it up and re-installed new tape.

Mark
 
Update on the project. Drilling the rail was not a problem, but drilling up from the v-berth through the deck plate was not so easy. I ended up removing the railing to drill the bottom plate. Ran the wiring & mounted the light. This gave me a chance to re-bed the deck for the railing. The wires are ran to the dash. All that's left is to mount the switch & connect the power. Thanks for the great advice.
 
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