Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

[Dyna]

Re: Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

Thanks, will go for the handheld spotlight. Already installed a power outlet so thats no issue & the ramps around here seem to have halfway decent lighting so I really dont need docking lights.<br /><br />Now I have another question. If the headlights would be illegal...& I can see the point since they would definitely interfere with the bow lights...whats the deal with the pontoon boats I see around here? Have noticed several at night with 2 headlights mounted on the front & they are turned on while cruising the lake.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

Not illegal in all waterways or states. Ships use spots all the time and to my knowledge they are not illegal in Texas. Heck if they blind you, what ya think your gun is for??? Kidding now don't pick on Texas.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

Originally posted by Mark42:<br /> I've been out at dusk and that was making me uneasey. I have the common 2 million candle power spot just in case. But I think something more useful would be additional down lighting for the floor of the boat. Just enough to see where things are in the boat. I would like to add some white or yellow LED lights under the gunnels to light the seats and floor. LED's are great because they are cool running, low power drain, and last for years.....<br />

Not sure about yellow lights, but wouldn't white ones detract from your night vision? I know there is a color that doesn't, think it might be red. Whatever it is, seems like that would be the color to use for your nighttime downlighting.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

Yes, it is red and I have used it in cabin of sailboat and runabouts for years. It does not effect night vision and is actually quite pleasing.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

txswinner, just out of curiosity, did you edit your previous post about the red bulbs or did I just completely miss it? If latter, sorry, wasn't trying to duplicate info you had already passed on...

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

the "headlights" you are referring to are probably docking lights. plenty of deckboats and bowriders also have them.

 

[prockvoan]

Re: Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

Red lights are a must for night vision.It takes up to 20 mins for your eyes to adjust for night vision,one second of white light,you got 20 mins before night vision returns.<br />Been running the waterways at night for over 30 years from fishing to duck hunting,nice but there are nut cases out there that must run 60 mph,because they can and there is no law that stops them from doing it here in Lousiana.<br />Learn the lake at day,wear pfd's even if you don't wear them at day light when under way.GPS/sounder,yes and if you can,radar.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

How you gig dem darn ole frogs with no light.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

Lake Mendota is pretty safe to navigate at night unless it's windy. Try Lake Wisconsin out if you want danger... Stumps, sandbars, islands, current, a car-ferry and railroad bridge, all this and a narrow woven channel to follow. I have all the channel markers waypointed in my handheld GPS so I can find my way home. The channel moves around from year to year also. I use a cordless handheld spotlight to find buoys and docks etc.

 

[nitedmn]

Re: Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

Oh... You forgot to mention that the stumps and sand bars sometimes move on a daily basis.

 

[Dyna]

Re: Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

Originally posted by nitedmn:<br /> Oh... You forgot to mention that the stumps and sand bars sometimes move on a daily basis.

Tell me about the sand bars I have found a few one day that werent there the day before. Luckily I wasnt going very fast at the time.

 

[Dyna]

Re: Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

Originally posted by CalicoKid:<br /> Try Lake Wisconsin out if you want danger... Stumps, sandbars, islands, current, a car-ferry and railroad bridge, all this and a narrow woven channel to follow.

No thanks on the night time gig with Lake Wi, it can be a pain in the day sometimes. Its one lake that a Jet boat would be nice to have.

 

[lennyb]

Re: Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

I was thinking about mounting one of those spot lights like you see on cop cars (the kind that you can turn w/handle). I would only use for emergency's..

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Lighting question for those nighttime boaters

welcome to IBOATS lennyb.... this thread is 6 years old .... if you have a question please start your own thread and we'll help you any way we can..... please don't reply to old dead threads as that takes attention away from current issues and problems people have