Underwater Lights

[webn237]

Looking to get some underwater lights for my transom. I'm looking to put some green leds there for appearance wise. They will be going on a 1994 Ebbtide Campion?.

Would you put them under water at water level? Or would you put them above the waterline shining down? It will be used in merky water of the Mississippi River.

Anyone suggest certain lights over others? I'm thinking about getting the flush mount where you just have to drill a hole for the wires.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Definitely not at or above surface

 

[webn237]

Why not above or at surface?

 

[jbcurt00]

Any chance a drain plug LED would be sufficient?

No additional holes thru the hull for wires......... Just need to run electrical wire down to the bilge, and when you put the drain plug in before launching, hook up the wires to the LED drain plug and you're done.

 

[StingrayMike]

I install lumishore and ocean led brand lights, both are good products.
if you go with lumishore, go with color changing, you can hook it into your stereo and they will change to the music

 

[webn237]

I looked at the drain plug led light but I just don't know how bright it would be with the darker color water. Where i figured if it was towards the surface it'd be brighter.

CaravelleMike how hard was it to install and seal? And where did you mount your lights?

 

[smokeonthewater]

At or above the surface will just reflect and blind people

 

[webn237]

Oh I gotcha. Would it be the same if it were mounted up on the swim platform itself? Like pointing down into the water towards the drive?

 

[StingrayMike]

Not very difficult to install, the hard part is running the wires from the lights to your switch.
surface prep is very important. If you have bottom paint, you need to remove it to the size of the light.
for sealing coat the backside of the light, and all screw holes with 5200.
for location, depends on how many lights you have and space on your transom. You want them same distance from the water line, i try to keep them 6-12 inches, but if that is not possible than you want them even, if not your brightness will be off.

I looked at the drain plug led light but I just don't know how bright it would be with the darker color water. Where i figured if it was towards the surface it'd be brighter.

CaravelleMike how hard was it to install and seal? And where did you mount your lights?

 

[webn237]

No Title

This is what I have to work with. Like I said with the dirtier water I want it to be something you will see. I just like to have my boat unique then everyone else. So I'm just trying to figure out best way to mount them.

 

[gm280]

So if I am understanding, these lights are not to attract fish or anything like that. And so you simply want something to attack other boaters, or Oohs and Ahs. Okay, but you seriously have to understand that every light you install means drilling into the hull. And that ups the chances of water leaks and the possibility of rot to start from water intrusion. I realize this is your boat and project, but just wanted you to understand the risks involved. And unless the installation is flush smooth, there is a chance to hit something with any of the protruding lights when boating as well. So pick and select carefully and understand what can happen... JMHO!

 

[webn237]

I guess I didn't think of chances of rot. And yes its just for the ohhs and ahhs. If I could have the lights shining down into the water rather then under water. It would have less chance of a water leak and rot

 

[webn237]

No Title

Something like this except tucked away under the swim platform

 

[gm280]

Something like this except tucked away under the swim platform

Well that could easily be done with light strings installed along the rub rail on the boat. And that would also alleviate drilling into the bottom of the hull and hitting them while under way. :thumb:

 

[bruceb58]

So if I am understanding, these lights are not to attract fish or anything like that. And so you simply want something to attack other boaters, or Oohs and Ahs. Okay, but you seriously have to understand that every light you install means drilling into the hull. And that ups the chances of water leaks and the possibility of rot to start from water intrusion. I realize this is your boat and project, but just wanted you to understand the risks involved. And unless the installation is flush smooth, there is a chance to hit something with any of the protruding lights when boating as well. So pick and select carefully and understand what can happen... JMHO!

They are not for oohs and ahhs. They have a very functional use. Apparently you don't have one.

I have one underwater on my stern and it is used when we anchor at night with the stern against the beach so we don't smash our feet on rocks and also able to see the ladder.

For my light, it is around 3" in diameter and the hole you drill is around 3/8". You smear the sealant over the entire back surface of the light. Unless you are a complete moron, it is pretty hard to screw up.

Any stern drive boat has an area that is 100 times more likely to allow water in around the stern drive itself. Chance of rot is pretty low adding a light.

This is the one I have:
http://www.amazon.com/Lumitec-SeaBla...tec+seablaze+3
It needs to be underwater or it will get too hot.

 

[roscoe]

Don't argue with the OP. He said, " And yes its just for the ohhs and ahhs."

 

[mattisonjr]

I wanted red lights behind my boat, so, flush mounted submersible trailer lights worked for me. I recessed them in my swim platform facing down. And no, nobody gets "blinded" . Just a nice red glow when underway.

 

[UncleWillie]

Let us all keep in mind that displaying any light other than Red and Green on the Bow and White on the stern is not legal.
If you do this on a small fishing/swimming lake you will probably get away with it without any issues.

If you are doing this on the Mississippi River with commercial traffic in the area, you are going to attract the attention of the boats with the Blue Flashing lights on the top of them.
The Coast Guard and River Patrol Boats are not going to look approvingly on anyone with non-standard colors displayed at improper locations, especially when underway.

 

[MattNismo]

Hey everyone!
I'm new here and looking for your advice. I've seen a boat with colored underwater light a while ago and thought that it look pretty cool. Something similar to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCi1B2iz5PU
Anyone know where I can get one?

 

[southkogs]

Hey everyone!
I'm new here and looking for your advice. I've seen a boat with colored underwater light a while ago and thought that it look pretty cool. Something similar to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCi1B2iz5PU
Anyone know where I can get one?

Happy Hunting HERE.