Cockpit lighting at dock

[gertonw]

Mantus anchors just came out with a very nice clamp on light. Not cheap at $55, but very nice:
http://mantusanchors.com/mantus-snap-on-light/?mc_cid=3fc7f7b0f2&mc_eid=85ebcb5b4e

 

[Jim Boernge]

I have two Walmart yard lights aboard. One attached to stern rail and one Velcro banded to the wheel pedestal guard to light the cockpit. Very reasonably priced.

 

[Ken Cross]

Easy and cheap
Connect a solar path light to your stern rail, winch handle holder, Fishing Rod holder, etc. It works great and costs under $3
Ours have lasted from a year to 3 or 4 years. They aren't bright, but one will keep you from tripping all night every night. Here is one example:

http://www.amazon.com/KoBean-Outdoo...1446479398&sr=1-12&keywords=solar+path+lights

I got our last one from Ace Hardware for $2.50
Ken

 

[Scubagirl62]

Ditto on the solar lights. I got mine at Menards and they are normally for home decks. The drawback is that they draw mosquitoes, spiders, and every other creepy crawly that find their way there. If you don't mind the bugs and cleaning all the time (at least in Ohio) then they work.

 

[aoversier]

I use this solar light designed for outdoor use in homes, as a security light and cockpit lighting when using the bbq etc. It has three settings, on, motion detector security light, and off. I am a live aboard so the security setting is perfect for me. The on mode provides plenty of light in the cockpit. Two screws mounted it perfectly to my outboard motor bracket. It comes with a plug in solar panel (see picture). One charge will last a week or more on the security setting and several days with the on setting and no drain on your boat batteries!. It is a Sunforce 82101, 100 LED, Solar Motion Light. Got it on Amazon for $46.50. Several people on my dock liked it so much that they also purchased one. I have had it several months and no sign of weathering or rust.

 

[capnrick]

My solution is a bit more work, but has resulted in good, reliable light in my cockpit. I mounted two waterproof LED fixtures to my main Bimini frame, then installed a switch in the tubing at a point close to the coaming mount. The fixtures are the type designed to fit against a round rail. All wiring is concealed inside the frame tube. I installed a waterproof through-deck two pin plug on the coaming near the Bimini mount and left enough wire hanging from the frame tube to connect to the plug and allow appropriate flexibility and thus it.can be disconnected easily to remove the Bimini frame as needed. Power source is house 12VDC from one of my lighting circuits. By far, the worst part was drilling the necessary holes in the stainless steel tubing. Works fine and is easily turned off and on when entering or leaving the cockpit.

 

[Ed Caldwell]

I love mine but have the arch that came with a couple 12v halogen. I have replaced the bulbs with 10-30v red LED. Make sure you get a voltage spread and not just 12v because you will burn them with your charger otherwise. Get some surface mount mini pucks and mount under your bimini. Go fancy and route the wires in your tubing and if you use these you could even have an on/off dimmer which you will love for night sailing as the red will not destroy your night vision. They are only a couple watts max and we leave them burning on the hook at night. They are tied into one of the courtesy light circuits. We use ours constantly. Goodluck

Similar to planoron, I went with the three-way LED (red/white/blue) under the arch, and blue LED around the pedestal. All wired to house power. See a more complete description here:
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=32&aid=8242&mn=340

 

[stsomewhere]

I have and like my Luci & garden solar LEDs, but I also have a string of 12v Christmas lights under the bimini. They were purchased online pretty cheap. 2 strings for something like $15. I like them because they provide a soft glow with fewer shadows. One set is just white, and remains up most of the time, then I break out the colored lights for parties.

 

[KZW]

We just found these and bought one just to see..

http://www.amazon.com/MPOWERD-Outdo...TF8&qid=1446397350&sr=8-2&keywords=luci+light

It makes a fine cockpit lamp . Has bails to hang it from bimini frame puts out plenty light.. deflates to almost no size. has high and low power settings.. would be fine as an anchor light as well if positioned correctly.. downside is ya have to take it from under the bimini and put it in the sun to recharge..

These solar inflatable lanterns are great. I use them. There is enough light to read by. When closing up, just deflate and put under the Binnacle cover.

 

[Windtherapy]

I just wired in 2 waterproof Bue LED lights and put a waterproof toggle with a rubber boot in the cockpit. I never leave my battery on when gone so even if some yahoo climbed aboard and tried turning them on, they wouldn't work. To me Blue lights are very calming and make me drink better (and faster)!

 

[Dave Groshong]

New offering, red light too!

http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?54903/

 

[LloydB]

Found this at NAPA (Flashlight-Pocket-COB-Light-Stick-EZ-Red/_/R-BK_7701382_0006384456) and bought one for the pickup and one for the boat. Fits in my pocket or hook facing out to see directly in front of me and has a strong magnet on the butt to stand it off the side of a flat steel surface. Small enough to poke down into a toolbox to look for a part and has enough brightness to read small print. Two AA batteries only last 7hrs so if it takes more than that to lock the door and find the key you dropped better get two.