Best Underwater Lights

The other ones, are just like installing a thru-hull in the boat. You drill the hole, seal the light assembly with 5200 and tighten the nut on the inside, there are still electrical boxes (ballast etc.) that have to be installed, but if you're capable with doing wiring it's not too complicated. HOWEVER, space to mount them and access to install the boxes can be difficult on a lot of 26'. Most installations of the exterior mounted LED's, they run the wiring up the transom and above the waterline and then into the boat to prevent water leaking in, also sealed with 5200.

Hi All,

I have a question about underwater lighting. We have a 42 GB and I have considered transom lighting but I have not yet researched it. What I wonder about is how difficult is it to replace a blown bulb? It seems like the boat would have to come out of the water...Is this true?

Another poster mentioned downward facing lights. I really like that idea and I bet it is very cool in clear water! I have not knowingly seen this configuration yet, just transom mounted lights.

Anyway, thanks in advance for the help...

The bulbs on most all of them can be removed and changed from the backside (boatside) of the fixture.

Ok, that's good. I gather this would only apply to the true "thru hull" types, not the surface mounted lights that only require a small hole to accomodate a wire. So if I were going to really consider underwater lights I would probably rule out surface mounted lights unless I wanted to go to the yard every time a bulb blows...

Hi there,
As far as I know, surface mounted lights last only for the light lifetime, so once its dead, you change the whole unit, that is why they are cheaper than the thru-hull models, they even come in affordable set packages. Anyways, after 3000-5000 hours lifetime I think you will be hauling out anyway for other maintenance works so it is not a big deal.

I have never seen ANY LED bulb last 3-5000 hours in my life. I have seen hundreds, if not thousands fail, far below that number. I think the rating they apply to the bulbs is if the bulb has perfect conditioned electricity and is left on continously, because I have changed countless LED bulbs far sooner than that.

My point was that it will last fairly enough until one would be hauling out anyway. I wish one day things will live to the life expectancy stated by manufacturers, until then, nothing does!

Sooooo, what is the reasonable life for LEDs then? Even if LED life theoretically extends the few seasons between trips to the hill that does not mean it will not fail sometime well before a scheduled haul out. That would mean I live with a blown (useless) light until next scheduled haul out or go early. Which is not cheap.

Now I'm leaning back toward the thru hulls again...

But on second thought thru hulls probably not practical. On my boat the water tanks are right up against the transom. That means to gain access to the fixtures below the tanks I would have to employ a trained finger monkey or something.


http://aspiringmama.com/home/gearse.../wp-content/uploads/2011/02/fingermonkey1.jpg

We have a Sea Ray Sedan Bridge in the family with lights mounted on the bottom of the hull facing downward. While they illuminate in clear water, most of the waters (LI Sound, etc.) around the Northeast are not as clear, so i'd probably only recommend this for boats based down in Florida/Bahamas.

Yamaha runabout, flush-mount LED, still running 2+ years.
Azimut 75FBMY, thru-transom LED, still running around 4 years,
Azimut 101S, thru-transom metal-halide, still running 2 years,
Bennetti 120, thru-transom metal-halide, worked around 3 years, changed once before, previously had halogen which barely worked.

Do you have space to install and maintain? Do you have enough power to run when needed? Price? Desired light spread and penetration? Lifetime expectancy? Color? Replacement parts availability when needed?

Answering these questions in my opinion will guide you through your choice.

Cheers,
Alf

Yeah thanks.

Colors. Are the LEDs monochromatic or can certain ones change colors? You know, kinda like the fiber lights around a swimming pool...

RC: The down facing lights work better in clearer water, aft facing lights start at horizontal and spread downward a bit, I find the latter to be better fun since the "fish-view-field" will be behind you rather than below you. Underwater lights MUST be submerged in at least 12" of water and around 24-30" is what I saw on most large boats.

Berean: LEDs that are around nowadays as far as my shopping has gone are in 3 colors, white, green and blue, mono colors that is.

Cheers,

I'm curious where you are shopping. On line?

Online for information mostly, I like to touch what am buying before I proceed with purchase!

Got it, thanks...