Dinghy Light Survey

[jeepsailor]

So, after my 4th set of dinghy lights in 5 years, I've just about had it. Our lights spend most of their life in the dockbox and come out 6-8 times a season for the occasional evening dinghy run. They're generally not out in the rain, and I'm not flipping the dinghy and submerging the lights. Yet, seems every year that they are shorting out, getting wet/corroded on the inside. They're a flashlight (an expensive flashlight) with a fancy lense, how hard is it to make them fairly water resistant?

I've been struggling with the Aqua Signal portable lights, because they've essentially been all that was available. One of those replacement lights was actually sent out from Aqua Signal when I called and complained, and I actually talked to someone when the replacement that they sent out failed as well. But I shouldn't have to ship these back every season, they should work for more than a year.

So quick survey - what brand/model lights are you using for your dinghies? Are you happy with them? Would you buy them again? And what, if anything, do you do special in order to keep them working?

Thanks!

 

[Chief RA]

I havn't used a Dingy light but if I did I would use a simple solar light attached to the stern. I now use them for a stern/bimini light and internal night light inside the sailboat. Chief

 

[Rich Stidger]

We use a simple white hand-held flashlight. We show it around and point it at any other boats that we see.

This does not meet the in-land or international federal rules. Those rules require a minimum of a white all-around light for vessels less than 23 feet and traveling at 7 knots max.

We use the flashlight because I have never found a dingy light that I like. I have thought about a all-around white light that would attach to the transom and be removable, and if I was to get one that would be my choice. I have no recommendation on brand or model. Sorry.

 

[rfrye1]

Water Proof Flashlite

Like Rich, I've never found one I like or can keep handy. I always have my flashlites. I sometimes use my pistol grip dive light. It's very bright for those busy dark anchorages.

Bob

 

[talbotb]

Fixed lights as solution

I agree that portable lights not always dependable. The untinned contacts corrode in salt water. I improved the situation by sanding the terminals and applying dialectric silicone. For the stern light, I had to stuff some tinned copper wire into the brass rivet that is supposed to provide a connection. I also installed some bolts through the deck of my daysailer so that I had something to screw the bowlight onto. In the end, however, I wired the little boat for 12v and installed Atwood 2-mile sidelights. Expensive and a lot of work, but no longer are romantic moonlight sails spoiled by my swearing on the foredeck while trying to attach the nav lights in the dark. I still use Aqua Signal for my stern light, mainly to avoid installing a 30-foot circuit from the battery at the mast.

Water Proof Flashlite

Like Rich, I've never found one I like or can keep handy. I always have my flashlites. I sometimes use my pistol grip dive light. It's very bright for those busy dark anchorages.

Bob

 

[victorhoisington]

Note a Flashlight does conform to the COLREGs for a dinghy or small sailboat at night - no permanent light is required. Note the shall (and Mays in the term). The minimum light is a "electric torch" (ie: flashlight) that can be used as Rich Describes.

from: http://navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent#rule25

(d) (i) A sailing vessel of less than 7 meter in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Rule, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision. Sailing Vessel Underway less than 7meters

(ii) A vessel under oars may exhibit the lights prescribed in this rule for sailing vessels, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.


Keep it simple - grab a flashlight and keep a sharp lookout!!

Victor

 

[Kings Gambit]

Yeah. I've wondered why so many people bother with temporary running lights for the dinghies. We use a bright LED dive light which of course is waterproof. I suppose it's more "practicable" for dinghies that are not stowed, as ours nearly always is, to put the running lights on and leave them there or keep close at hand to mount when launching the dink from davits, etc.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Well, a REQUIREMENT it might not be, but in some places- Boot Key Harbor in Marathon is one, the powers there INSIST that dinghies have at least the white all round stern light. They weren't buying the flashlight deal

I used one on a short rod, with a big suction cup, that I stuck on top of the outboard cowling.

Look at this one of TWO dinghy docks there and you understand why. This is only two piers of three on THIS dock. There's another out front looks just like it.

 

[Winkfish]

Note a Flashlight does conform to the COLREGs for a dinghy or small sailboat at night - no permanent light is required. Note the shall (and Mays in the term). The minimum light is a "electric torch" (ie: flashlight) that can be used as Rich Describes.

from: http://navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent#rule25

(d) (i) A sailing vessel of less than 7 meter in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Rule, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision. Sailing Vessel Underway less than 7meters

(ii) A vessel under oars may exhibit the lights prescribed in this rule for sailing vessels, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.


Keep it simple - grab a flashlight and keep a sharp lookout!!

Victor

That applies to sailboats or boats under oars. A power boat, including a dinghy using an outboard, is supposed to have an all-around white light minimum.

 

[Kings Gambit]

I suppose harbors can make up their own (additional) rules as they see fit for traffic inside their boundaries. Who owns all of those dinks? Visitors, or boat owners with slips in the harbor?

 

[Kings Gambit]

That applies to sailboats or boats under oars. A power boat, including a dinghy using an outboard, is supposed to have an all-around white light minimum.

Yeah, well I'm usually rowing; so, that explains some of it.

 

[jeepsailor]

So, to get things back on track - we're talking a powered inflatable dinghy, being operated operated in inland US waters. What this requires is a white all around light (generally mounted at stern on transom or outboard) and the red/green bow lights. This is the requirements, the 7 meter/7 knot rule pertains to international only. I wasn't really looking to get into the debate of what the rules are or aren't, or whether the rules are practical, fair, or make sense. I bother with it to meet the regulations for my locale and to avoid a ticket in the marina or on the river.

I was really looking for suggestions on brands/option besides Aqua Signal, and/or tricks/mods to existing equipment that keeps things drier. And I'm on fresh water, I can't imagine the challenge some of you have on salt water! Thanks again!

 

[Kings Gambit]

In general what you can do is apply silicon grease to the o-rings of the housings that enclose the lamp and batteries to help keep water out. There may also be some potential water entry at the switch if using that kind. Goop some over that too. The next thing might be take them off and apart every few times and spray the internal contacts with CRC electronic contact cleaner. It works like magic. Also, might put in new batteries with each new set of uses and spray then.

Another commonly-used brand is Perko. I don't think it'll matter, however. Unless you maintain them they eventually will not work when you need them to.

 

[capta]

We use a simple white hand-held flashlight. We show it around and point it at any other boats that we see.

I believe most out on the water with you at night, would really appreciate it much more if you would illuminate your own boat with your "simple white hand-held flashlight", than shine it in their eyes.
Not much makes me angrier than some idiot in a dinghy or a bigger boat shining his light in my eyes and destroying MY night vision, rather than illuminating his boat for me to see.

 

[Brian S]

I like my Navisafe lights. LED, so they run forever, waterproof, floating, puck sized for low profile.

Here's the bow light: http://www.navisafe.co.nz/products/navilight-red-green.html

And here's the 360º stern light: http://www.navisafe.co.nz/products/navilight-360.html

And the stalk mount for the stern light: (Navisafe telescopic pole) http://www.navisafe.co.nz/products/attachments.html

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

I suppose harbors can make up their own (additional) rules as they see fit for traffic inside their boundaries. Who owns all of those dinks? Visitors, or boat owners with slips in the harbor?

At the time that picture was taken, Feb 2010, there were some 460 boats in Boot Key, either on moorings (210 then) or anchored out. Many belong to live-aboards who stay there most of the year. That year many MANY (including mine) belonged to cruisers waiting for the blasted northers to at least slow a bit so we could jump to the Bahamas- took a month of waiting:neutral:

 

[MrBill_FLL]

pelican and UK are 2 big names in dive lights...


this looks like it could have potential (replaces the light sticks) flashing and constant
white.

http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-31/026247/Trident-L.E.D.-Light-Stick.html


or a white plastic cup over a dive light?

 

[Tom G P-21]

Also, check out what Defender has.

http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|294&id=2312556

 

[Winkfish]

Duct tape, wooden dowel, flashlight. If needed, another flashlight, green and red celophane. ;-)

 

[Joe]

At the time that picture was taken, Feb 2010, there were some 460 boats in Boot Key, either on moorings (210 then) or anchored out. Many belong to live-aboards who stay there most of the year. That year many MANY (including mine) belonged to cruisers waiting for the blasted northers to at least slow a bit so we could jump to the Bahamas- took a month of waiting:neutral:

Looked like a "where's waldo's dinghy" photo.