Underwater Lighting

[chasmoyer]

I am thinking about adding two underwater lights on my stern near the prop when I do my next bottom painting. These may come in handy if any prop work is necessary although I cringe at thought of two more holes in hull to install lights. Any advice on pros or cons of going forward with this idea? Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[JohnVTX]

Seriously? How about a waterproof flashlight instead.

 

[Johnb]

Ever since I have had my boat I have been on a campaign to eliminate as many through hulls as possible, at a cost of several hundred dollars a time (total North of 1.5 boat bucks) to get it done professionally. There was one for a sea water feed to the head, one for head direct to out, one for holding tank pump out, two for the vanity (?? only one hooked up, the other with sea cock but nothing attached) and two more in the bilge for no apparent purpose.
IMHO making holes for such an inconsequential a purpose as underwater lighting is unwise.

 

[Siamese]

You can't see me, but I am now cringing.

 

[splax]

Though the idea of a hole in the hull is unpleasant, the need for underwater lighting is undeniable. Clip-on lights or trying to manage a flashlight, tools, work, and steady your body without 5 hands is frustrating. How about a battery powered underwater lantern hung from the prop shaft? A battery powered light on a strong magnet would stick to my keel and maybe the strut. You could have a mount on the transom to attach the light and adjust to illuminate the work area. What do you think?

 

[Benny17441]

Prop work is just the excuse, the flashlight has no "cool" factor.

 

[splax]

Well, last year motoring from Edenton, NC to Portsmouth, VA I snagged a crab pot. They are thicker than thieves at times. So with no one else on the boat I go over the side to work the float and line from around the rudder, then need to get the line from around the prop, dealing with the ambient light late afternoon June 1 in NC. So I am bobbing up and down to get breaths for 15 minutes. Good light would have made the process easier and faster.

 

[Rick]

I definitely recommend it. I put two blue/white Seablaze X lights on the last time I bottom painted her. Yep its a bit unnerving to carve a hole in the boat. But the philosophy of no thru hulls or accessories is well.. archaic in my book. So many cool things out there. I was careful to keep them close to center because when they are closer to the side of the hull, they can be annoying to your neighbors at anchor or on a mooring. The seablaze lights offer six different "mood" settings and they attract fish also. Ah whats a couple of holes in your boat. The shaft holes are extremely small. If you follow the instructions from the manual and your boatyard, I say... nice. Here are mine. No leaks, no drips, no errors.

 

[splax]

Looks sharp Rick.

 

[bobscaggs]

While I am not terribly opposed to another hole or two in the boat (I'm about to put a five incher all the way through the bow), I do worry about drag. Rick, yours look like they do protrude slightly. Any appreciable drag noticed?

 

[Rick]

While I am not terribly opposed to another hole or two in the boat (I'm about to put a five incher all the way through the bow), I do worry about drag. Rick, yours look like they do protrude slightly. Any appreciable drag noticed?

Thats pretty good Bob. I guess the drag coefficient for the lights is in hundredths or thousandths. Nah, kidding ya. No loss of speed from the lights. Its usually sail trim!
Cheers

 

[Steverhnm]

I agree, adding these lights is cool, the holes are small, just don't buy cheap stuff. I appreciate the heads up on not having them radiate out to annoy neighbors. Do they dim at all? Should up the fishing fun at night.

 

[uncledom]

While I am not terribly opposed to another hole or two in the boat (I'm about to put a five incher all the way through the bow), I do worry about drag. Rick, yours look like they do protrude slightly. Any appreciable drag noticed?

The LIGHTS !!! He's got a fixed three blade!!!