Lighting up the night in a boat

[B-man715]

Got an idea going here.

I like to night fish, or at least hang out an hour or two after the sun goes down. But I always have a fear about hitting something (floating log etc) or someone (w/ no nav lights on).

The best solution is to provide more light. I'm trying to figure out what would be best.

The easiest solution would be just hold or mount a spot light. I've done that before, but thinking it would be awesome to really light up the night. Problem is you need a lot of power.

I don't want modify the boat ( screw down lights everywhere, pull new wires everywhere etc ).

I have a Honda 2000 that doesn't get run enough in the summer anyways. I was thinking I could buy a couple off-road spot lights and flood lights then mount them on a portable tripod. Then I would run them off the 12 volt 8 amp battery charger on the generator (in case it rains to prevent sparks )

Has anybody ran stuff off of the charger before? Anybody ever try something similar? Is this idea dumb?

[Scott K]

Well, all light needs an object to bounce off of to light up the night. LED's from my experience on a dark, clear night, with no objects to bounce off of, it will look like the light isnt on. The LED beam is more direct, and has a smaller beam, therefor is you adjust the lights perfectly straight, the light wont have anything to bounce off of, but if you angle the lights a bit, it will hit shore, water, or anything. Once something does get in front of the beam, it lights up nice and bright. So if there is something in your way, you will see it.

[TruthWalleyes]

I think i'll be adding some smaller flood lights on each side of this spot light to get some better illumination at closer distances. I'll make that decision once i get the boat on the water.

[B-man715]

That is titties Truth!

Can't wait to get all of my stuff put on the boat. Have to mount the big light, interior black lights, 1198 si, Terrova 80 I pilot link, interior white lights, dimmer switch, spool up 4 new rods and reels... the list goes on

Finally flying out today. Been out of the country for seven weeks. When I get bored my paypal account gets a workout....ouch..... LOL!...... I'll be busy when I get home

[TruthWalleyes]

My camera doesn't pick up light very well so it illuminates much better than the picture shows.

[B-man715]

Looking good Truth

I stole your mounting idea and tweaked it a little.

The rain has kept me in the garage and not out fishing

Just finished up this morning with the wiring. Here is a little video showing it in action.

[no bait nate]

sweet set ups boys!

[Savage Brewer]

Some great ideas here, did you guys go for a smaller spot beam or a wider flood beam?

Going to order some but not sure which would be a better choice.

[Alagnak]

Some great ideas here, did you guys go for a smaller spot beam or a wider flood beam?

Going to order some but not sure which would be a better choice.

Floods are fine if you don't plan on going on plane otherwise id go spot. Try to find euro beams instead of just spot/ pencil beams. I have on a pair of floods and spots.

[DTro]

Great idea BMan!

[dan z]

If anyone is looking at upgrading the illumination products to rip around the skinny water this summer go led. I have a 12" light that has flood on the outside edges and 6" of spot in the middle. Its 72 watts and lit the river well last night as I was traveling at about 20mph. And for 65 bones I'm glad I went with it. I bought it from a guy that sells stuff on by the bay of E.

[delcecchi]

There have been a couple of threads about lighting that folks might find interesting. Mostly catfishing dudes.

[Savage Brewer]

I put a 54 watt LED submersible off road bar up front, no photos of that, but here is what I did with the interior, all the photos are at full brighness as I put in dimmers also.

[landscaper]

savage brewer

where did you get those lights??

[Savage Brewer]

the e bay auction site.