Bow Lighting

[ken52]

Would like to try some night boating but I have no exterior lights.

Here's my problem:

My boat has a bow pulpit so if I try to install a light under it the anchor blocks the light. I can't put on top due to line running through pulpit and no way to hide/protect wiring.

Don't want to use a hand help unit either. What would you guys do?

Yea I know stay home at night, LOL!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bow Lighting

buy seperated lights and install each on one side of the pulpit. Check the USCG regs for the angles they have to be visible.

 

[ken52]

Re: Bow Lighting

Thanks Home Cookin, just don't think I would like the look of lights mounted on both sides of pulpit on the boat.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bow Lighting

Are you talking about the red and green nav lights or are you talking about adding some sort of high intensity lighting?. If you are talking about the latter, you would really anger anyone coming toward you as bright lights will blind the oncoming vessel. Besides, it messes with your night vision. If you need to flip on a light as you approach a dock or mooring, then a handheld spot will work just fine.

 

[Splat]

Re: Bow Lighting

If talking about nav lights just use a bi-colored bow light that's raised and mounted on a stanchion.

Like these:
http://www.iboats.com/Bi_Color_Comb...09350932--**********.637783476--view_id.38217

Bill

 

[arks]

Re: Bow Lighting

If talking about nav lights just use a bi-colored bow light that's raised and mounted on a stanchion.

That's exactly what I used on my Jonboat. The bow-mounted trolling motor would've blocked a conventional navigation light.

 

[ken52]

Re: Bow Lighting

Thanks guys, all my nav lights are good and in working order. Just replaced all of them a couple years ago.

I would like a spot type, like a headlight for lack of a better term.

 

[wellsc1]

Re: Bow Lighting

Peruse iBoats, BassProShops, Cabelas, West Marine, Boaters World (went out of business in my town recently), Gander Mountain, etc. for special spot or other light contraptions that may serve your purpose and maintain asthetics with your vessel. I think the same way as you seem to do with devices planned for my boats, I want them to blend in but be functional.

 

[Splat]

Re: Bow Lighting

Using a "headlight" or even running with dock lights on is ill advised. White light will destroy your night vision, making it actually harder to see. Plus you will blind any other boaters coming towards you. Not to mention the light will be aimed incorrectly because the pitch of the boat will change as you accelerate, get on or off plane, or just idle.

Once your eyes adjust to the dark, and the chemical rhodopsin regenerates in your eye you will have pretty good night vision. Using a bright white, or even a bright light in general causes the rhodopsin to burn off the rods in your eye thus killing your night vision. This takes between 20-40 minutes to get back. The moon on a good night will offer plently of light to navigate waterways safely, at a responsible speed. Also things will be easier to see if you learn to look at them slightly off to the side, rather than straight on, as the are no rods directly in the middle of your retna.

Also I do carry a hand held spotlight that if needed I use in short bursts for docking or stump locating, but never for when underway.


Bill

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bow Lighting

you know it would sure help if we knew what you had, even a picture of the situation. you would get much better advice.

 

[abj87]

Re: Bow Lighting

Using a "headlight" or even running with dock lights on is ill advised. White light will destroy your night vision, making it actually harder to see. Plus you will blind any other boaters coming towards you. Not to mention the light will be aimed incorrectly because the pitch of the boat will change as you accelerate, get on or off plane, or just idle.

Once your eyes adjust to the dark, and the chemical rhodopsin regenerates in your eye you will have pretty good night vision. Using a bright white, or even a bright light in general causes the rhodopsin to burn off the rods in your eye thus killing your night vision. This takes between 20-40 minutes to get back. The moon on a good night will offer plently of light to navigate waterways safely, at a responsible speed. Also things will be easier to see if you learn to look at them slightly off to the side, rather than straight on, as the are no rods directly in the middle of your retna.

Also I do carry a hand held spotlight that if needed I use in short bursts for docking or stump locating, but never for when underway.


Bill

Plus other boats out at night have no idea what you are in addition to blinding the rest of us!!!! .... Different combinations of lights means different ships Ie: freighter , barge in tow, submarine!. So only lights you should see from the outside is the nav lights.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Bow Lighting

I fish exclusively at night and only break out the spot when I think I am coming up on something in the water, just get a hand held spot then you don't need to worry about where to mount it.

 

[arks]

Re: Bow Lighting

Ditto.
I keep a 1,000,000 CP spotlight on the flybridge for use when necessary (which isn't very often).

 

[ken52]

Re: Bow Lighting

Thanks to all for the informed input.

Never thought about some of the things you guys pointed out.

I guess a hand help would probable be best option.

I'll try to use pictures in the future to help too.

 

[skargo]

Re: Bow Lighting

I have a spot light permanently mounted, but I sure wouldn't use it as a driving light.