Forward Navigation lights

[JBFins22]

Does anyone know how to access the connections for the p/s nav lights on a 2004 280DA? I bought Attwood direct replacement LED units. The factory, or previous owner, caulked them in it looks like. Is there access behind the speaker in the v-berth? Or another location? It's not in the anchor locker. Thank You!

 

[Mike Blake]

On my boat I just take them off and some wire pulls out with it. Your may be different.

 

[jason78]

You will need to access them from under the existing lights. Be careful and don't pull the wires loose or let them drop in the hole.

The only alternate access is in the cabin. You would need to remove the port and Starboard storage cabinets above the V-berth back cushions then peel back the headliner enough to reach the wire. Doable but not easy. This would allow just enough room to barely slide your hand up and feel. To actually access the deck hole I cant see a way around cutting the headliner and somehow patching it later since the headliner is so tight. I have had the port cabinet off so I speak from experience.

When I changed my NAV lights I removed the old ones and slowly worked my way through the existing caulk with a pic and small flat screwdriver. You will love the Attwood lights, they are great. Remember, test them before to seal anything. LEDs are polarity sensitive.

Another tip. Measure off of the hatch window and use some kind of straightedge or yardstick to make a tape line so you can be sure your lights are facing straight with the tapeline parallel to the center-line of the boat. I tried to "eyeball" mine and it took forever to get them just right. Because of the shape the bow and deck take it is very deceiving. Taking 15 minutes to measure down a straight line from the hatch will be worth it.

 

[JBFins22]

Ok, so some tedious, careful work and I should be able to get them freed up above the deck. Thanks so much for the info! Hopefully it wont be too difficult! I just finished manifolds, risers and elbows on both engines so it can't take longer than that job!

Thanks