Custom Retrofit Mount for ACR RCL 50/100 Search Light WHO WANTS IN???

[dimnddavid]

I've been wanting to mount an ACR RCL-100D searchlight to my 1995 270 for a few years now, but as many of you probably know it isnt too easy to find a mounting place for spotlight on one of these boats if the boat didnt come with one from the factory. This year I've finally taken the time to design a mount that will fit on my boat without having to weld to the rail and risk damaging it, as well as minimizing permanent modifications to the boat itself.

This mount would bolt to the front of the stainless steel anchor "guard rails" on the pulpit of the boat. The mount is designed to bring the light forward of the bolts and about an inch under the rail. The lens would end up just forward of the rail so that the front of the rail wont get in the way of the beam if you point the light upward. It is designed so that it is high enough not to interfere with the operation of the anchor. You'll have to conceptualize it a bit with the photos I've attached since it is not made yet. You would drill a hole on the inside edge of the pulpit (being careful to pick a spot that wont interfere with anchor chain/line) for the cable to enter the boat; I figured I would seal it with the 3M 4300. One thing to note is to please IGNORE the rolled round section of the mount; it WILL NOT be included. That was originally to route and protect the cable, but was way too expensive, so I'm just going to add a few holes to mount regular cable clamps.

I've got a sheetmetal manufacturer that is going to make it for me but the cost is significantly reduced if I order 3 or 5 of these. For a qty of three, the price goes to $157/ea, and $131/ea for 5 pre-shipping. This mount is going to be made of heavy gauge 3/16" stainless steel and will be a heavy duty beast. It will be formed from a single piece of metal and will have no welds to rust in the gaps or potentially crack over time.

This mount will work for a 50 or 100d ACR light and could be easily drilled (by you) for others as well. Again, my boat is a 95 270DA, but I bet many Sea Rays of that era or beyond use the same anchor rails. Of course, its up to you to measure your own boat to check. The hard part is the bending and the shape of the mount, its easy to drill extra holes. I want to order this thing early next week, so I'm just gauging interest on the forum to see if we can work out a deal that you guys can benefit from my design, and get a professionally made product for your boat! I MAY be able to make slight last minute changes, i.e. slightly increasing mounting hole sizes to fit more boats, if there is enough interest and need but I can't go crazy.

I want to place my order no later than next Friday May 3rd so let me know any interest and questions before then! I think the mounts will take about 2 weeks to be finished once ordered.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Before you go to the trouble and expense of having a sheetmetal company make one for you, let me offer an alternative suggestion from my 30+ years as a boater--toss out the idea of a remote spotlight and pick up a rechargeable hand held spotlight for about $20.

Here's why I suggest that....
-when using a remote spotlight you have to take your attention off what you're doing to turn it on, then try to aim it while the boat is drifting and moving around. It's a PITA to get them to shine exactly where you want it then, as the boat changes position it's hard to keep it shining where you want it, while at the same time you're trying to maneuver your boat. Most likely you'll be near a dock or rafting up with another boat or looking for a mooring bit.

As an alternative, if you pick up one of these 1million candlepower rechargeable lights for about $20. Keep it on the helm and just pick it up when you need to use it. From my experience it's much faster to aim and use than a remote spotlight. I have two of the remote lights on my boat but always use the handheld because it's so much easier to use.

 

[IanBat]

I 2nd the above. My remote blew the sealed beam and even wholesale that dual beam is ridiculously priced. I tossed around with the the thought of fitting a semi sealed insert in with either a halogen globe or a HID conversion.

But likewise I didn't find the joystick that much of a joy to use.

So I removed it and fitted a fixed HID in its place that we sell

Around th same time, we had bought some hand held rechargeable LED lights into stock, like the one in your picture. I through one on board.

When we were on the harbour 2 weeks ago, we were cruising up a bay looking for a mooring, I had the bow light on and told my wife where the torch was. She was using the torch from the helm, and after we picked the mooring up, she made the comment that it was a good torch.

It was the torch that found the mooring


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