Head lights on a boat

A

Andrew Holley

Well-known member
Who's got them?

Worth installing?

Looking at some smaller units from the Farm and Barn store, but going to have to put sometype of cover over them to protect them, wondering if it's worth the trouble?

Thanks
 
IMHO no, but it really depends on where you are hunting and what you need to see. I usually run pretty much dark except for a hand held spot light for picking up landmarks and/or stuff in the water. One thing you need to be cognicent of is how much power they will use and if you have the alternator or battery to handle it. Last thing you want is to get to your spot and realize your headlights drained your battery and you can't restart your motor (electric). I can see that if you are running a narrow channel all the time and just need to see the twists and turns just ahead of you they might be OK. If I had my druthers and was the only boat on the lake, I'd run totally dark even without a stern light - much easier to keep your night vision intact ...........but I don't. Instead I try and keep my eyes off of the stern light to protect what little night vision I have left anymore.
 
Bin there done that . More holes more wire more switches . not to mention a good pair of off road lights are around 100.00 or more . hand held you can sweep left and right.and help you look for that bird you knocked down after hours.
 
I installed yellow fog lights on the front of my 16'. Bought a cheap pair from Advance auto or Murreys. Works good for those real foggy days when a spotlight reflects too much off of the fog. I like to use them when coming into the launch at night. I rarely use them when going out in the morning preferring to let my eyes acclaimate to the dark.
 
I use handhelds, Cabelas is selling a package of two 1 million power lights for $19.99. One charges in a 110 outlet, one plugs into a cigarette lighter to charge the batteries. Both have a 15-20 minute run time on a full charge.... great deal. I keep them both in my drybox.

Handheld you can point it anywhere you want, use it to navigate, find cripples after dark, light your boat, etc.... more versatility.
 
I run a Golight on my Mudboat. The remote control is on my console. I just set it when I leave the launch for the load I have that trip. All the light is out front so I can see the woods and channels beside me with no glare in the boat.

20100914_0433.jpg

 
Same here, I try to use my spotlight as little as possible. Never even considered head lights.
 
Up where I hunt, lights are imperative.
I used to run a set of 55 watt halogen floods . they were big and bright and right on the very tip of the bow, so they only cast light on the scene ahead. I got them at west marine (they have an online store) I think they were about 5" by 4". They were great. I think they cost me about $75 bucks.

My new boat has smaller aluminum frames around the lights, and they will not allow the same lights to fit. I run the same wattage, but the lights are only about 4" by 2 and 3/4" and they are piddly in comparison.

In addition to that, I have a 15million candlepower light that the bowman runs off the bow, and I am running a 120 lumens (15 watt) halogen mtn bike light that I hold in my teeth so if I turn my head, I can light up the area where I am looking. The only problem is that if I have to bark out orders or ask a question, no one can understand me and the light falls out of the grip I've got on it with my teeth.

I am looking at a 1400 lumen light made by Nite rider. They specialize in Bike lights and the one I have has lasted for 12 years, 1400 lumens is brighter than a halogen Hi Beam, it is portable and durable and so bright, that people think it is a train.

It is $600, but where I run the Duckbomber, it might save our lives, so I figure it is money well spent.

It would be different if I hunted a place that didn't change each day, but the Columbia River in the last 40 miles or so can get all crazy in the winter. I also wear a spot satellite tracker, run a GPS, and leave a float plan in the truck.
 
Todd, I use Light in Motions and they are pretty much the same. I haven't thought about using an mtb light. that is a great idea. might have to take one off one of my bikes in the "off season" and run it for ducks! Thanks, Trip.
 
I would say that we are definately running in different situations!
The Mobile River may be big, but it sure aint the Columbia.
 
Down here in FL, a headlight is a head-light. I also have a handheld light that plugs into a 12-volt lighter style outlet. I made it from a cheap halo spot beam you can buy in pairs at Wal-Mart in the auto section. Then I replace the bulb with a Xenon bulb. But I mostly use a head-light like this...

http://www.floridamudmotors.com/headlights.htm

Lamarr's headlights use an aircraft landing light. Nice thing about a hardhat light is you don't get the back glare and it points where you're looking. I've got mine rigged to plug into the same 12-volt lighter style outlet. You can obviously make these using the same cheap Wal-mart lights and a hardhat. And an ON-OFF switch on the hat (or a trigger switch on the handheld) is a must.

Hitch
 
Andrew,
I think I read on another site that the Coast Guard issued a fellow a ticket for using headlights (docking lights) while under way, so you might want to check that before you go to the trouble and cost of installing some. I use a portable spot myself, but was thinking of automotive aux lamps for somthing more permenant but decided against it.
 
Andrew,
I think I read on another site that the Coast Guard issued a fellow a ticket for using headlights (docking lights) while under way, so you might want to check that before you go to the trouble and cost of installing some. I use a portable spot myself, but was thinking of automotive aux lamps for somthing more permenant but decided against it.
Click to expand...
I received a warning from the USCG for using headlights on my boat. They referred to NAVRULE 20 (application) that they interfere with the distinctive character of the port & stbd lights. I inquired about periodic use of a spot light to identify land marks etc. and they said that is okay, just dont position the light where it will obscure nav lights.
 
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