Searchlight install

Todd M Caldwell

Todd M Caldwell

Active Member
Oct 7, 2018
145
Port St Lucie, FL
Boat Info
1998 290 Sundancer
Engines
5.0 Alpha
i want to install a searchlight. Should install it on the deck or the Rail If on the rail. Do I run the wires inside the rail?

Thanks

Todd
 
While I have one and do occasionally use it I would save my time for something better and just get a hand held. I feel I have better/faster control when needed and the light washout at the bow makes the fix mounted less than optimal in certain circumstances. I carry a hand held on board for that reason.

-Kevin
 
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I installed a light on the front of my 370 Express. The marina used a piece of polished stainless steel cut into the shape of a small platform that was wielded to the front end of the bow rail. The base of the platform had 4 holes drilled in it that matched the base of the new light. The power was routed through the starboard rail back to the helm controller. The installation was well done and it looked as if it was a factory option. There is a downside to having a light on the bow and that is it takes a real beating up there. You need a light that is very robust to survive the jarring of running in big seas. Those lights that rotate up, down and left to right on a pedestal will not survive. I suggest using a light with a sturdier design such as those sold under the ACR brand if you want it to last. Mounting the light on the bow rail has the added advantage of protecting it in the event you accidentally bury the bow in a big following sea. I had a light torn off the boat once on a 300 WE while running on Lake Michigan.
 
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KevinC said:
While I have one and do occasionally use it I would save my time for something better and just get a hand held. I feel I have better/faster control when needed and the light washout at the bow makes the fix mounted less than optimal in certain circumstances. I carry a hand held on board for that reason.
-Kevin
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That is certainly an option that works, but having a bow mounted light is really nice when pulling into a slip at night. It helps when picking up lines. I use mine for that and also to light the way from the end of the boat to the side walk that leads to our home. Our yard is very dark at night and guests have trouble seeing where to walk until they reach the light walk way.
 
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Here is the type of light that will survive a good pounding on big water. It is also located in a place where the lighting output does not illuminate the white deck and spoil night vision at the helm.
 
With a 290, I'd forgo the expense and use a hand held light. If you really want a mounted light, mount it on the pulpit (like the post above)for best lighting with out reflected glare.
 
wayne0 said:
With a 290, I'd forgo the expense and use a hand held light. If you really want a mounted light, mount it on the pulpit (like the post above)for best lighting with out reflected glare.
Click to expand...

^^^^ X2
When I bought my 330 it did not have a spot light (I guess it was optional). My previous boat did, so bought a Jabsco and installed it. I think i have used in twice in the 8 years I have owned the boat. And that was just to pick up a marker buoy I could not see coming into a port after dark (I could see it on the radar anyway). A handheld would have actually been easier to use. Save your money and buy a good handheld!
 
Creekwood said:
A handheld would have actually been easier to use.
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This. If filling the holes in the deck and dash was not such a hassle I would remove mine. I wish the PO had spent his money on the the anchor wash down option instead of the search light.
 
wayne0 said:
With a 290, I'd forgo the expense and use a hand held light. If you really want a mounted light, mount it on the pulpit (like the post above)for best lighting with out reflected glare.
Click to expand...

Used a handheld on my old boat, and have a fixed one on this boat. Very rarely use a spotlight at all, but for the very few times I have used it, the handheld was more than adequate for what I needed.
 
For as many times as I've used my spotlights I'd trade you mine for 2 cases of beer and a high five.....if it wouldn't leave a big hole in my boat.

Buy a super slick LED handheld. Save the hole in your boat and the boat bucks it will take to install a permanent unit properly.
 
We use our light in the river at night to spot debris in the river on our way back to our dock. We have gotten grief from the CG a time or two but that will not stop me from using it. JMO I would mount it on the deck.
 
WV 320 Dancer said:
We use our light in the river at night to spot debris in the river on our way back to our dock. We have gotten grief from the CG a time or two but that will not stop me from using it. JMO I would mount it on the deck.
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The reason you are getting grief from the CG is because your use of the light will kill the night vision of any other boaters you are pointing towards, making it more dangerous for them. If you have to run at night with your light on then you may be driving too fast for conditions.
 
Creekwood said:
The reason you are getting grief from the CG is because your use of the light will kill the night vision of any other boaters you are pointing towards, making it more dangerous for them. If you have to run at night with your light on then you may be driving too fast for conditions.
Click to expand...
We are at idle speeds at night going back to our dock. We always shut down our light if a boat is approaching us.
 
sbw1 said:
View attachment 63797 I installed a light on the front of my 370 Express. The marina used a piece of polished stainless steel cut into the shape of a small platform that was wielded to the front end of the bow rail. The base of the platform had 4 holes drilled in it that matched the base of the new light. The power was routed through the starboard rail back to the helm controller. The installation was well done and it looked as if it was a factory option. There is a downside to having a light on the bow and that is it takes a real beating up there. You need a light that is very robust to survive the jarring of running in big seas. Those lights that rotate up, down and left to right on a pedestal will not survive. I suggest using a light with a sturdier design such as those sold under the ACR brand if you want it to last. Mounting the light on the bow rail has the added advantage of protecting it in the event you accidentally bury the bow in a big following sea. I had a light torn off the boat once on a 300 WE while running on Lake Michigan.
Click to expand...

Now that I have read your post I remember seeing some mounted just like yours ( old age setting in. Lol). For my situation I think this would be the best setup. Wooohoooo. I’ve used handheld lights in the past and found them to be a pain. To use and store. Trying to navigate and use the light trying to find that channel marker that isn’t lit Crab pots and other things that go bump in the night.

Thanks
Todd
 
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Todd M Caldwell said:
I wish my bow was like yours, but this is what I have to work with.

View attachment 63804
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Your boat's bow is not all that different from the 370 Express that we mounted a lite on. The yard took a small sheet of stainless steel, polished it to a high gloss and cut it to match the curve of the rail, put a break on the side facing the helm, and wielded it in place on the rail. The light sat on top of the newly created shelf. Wires came out below and went into a newly drilled hole in the bottom of the rail. From there they were pulled back to the helm running inside the rail the entire way. Looked and work great. Your's should work the same way.
 
WV 320 Dancer said:
We are at idle speeds at night going back to our dock. We always shut down our light if a boat is approaching us.
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Gotcha. My Jabsco has flood or spot light option and an automated pan and scan feature that works well for that kind of thing. I just have little need for it.
 
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Todd M Caldwell said:
Now that I have read your post I remember seeing some mounted just like yours ( old age setting in. Lol). For my situation I think this would be the best setup. Wooohoooo. I’ve used handheld lights in the past and found them to be a pain. To use and store. Trying to navigate and use the light trying to find that channel marker that isn’t lit Crab pots and other things that go bump in the night.
Thanks
Todd
Click to expand...

Yes. I agree. Hand helds are ok if you are not underway, but if you lose your night vision while moving, not so good. I never had much luck with battery life with them as well, although batteries are getting better. Mounted lights free you up to run the boat while docking or looking for a channel marker.
 
I have had poor luck with this type of light. One just like it broke off the pedestal while running in rough water. The design is not robust enough to last on the bow of a boat that is used in the Great Lakes.
 

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sbw1 said:
I have had poor luck with this type of light. One just like it broke off the pedestal while running in rough water. The design is not robust enough to last on the bow of a boat that is used in the Great Lakes.
Click to expand...

Touch wood, mine has been fine in the 8 years I have had it. And I am not one to stay at the dock if its rough out there. Mine is the larger Jabsco and is quite heavy. Here is a picture of it, and a short video of a typical run on Georgian Bay in tight great lakes chop. You can see from the bow movement how much the boat is pounding. On this trip there was no walking around while underway.
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