Spot light position when spotlight not in use

[NautyDog]

How do you position your spot light when it's not being used?

Some say that keeping it pointed aft for a long period of time can damage the servo's, but I seem to doubt this on modern spot lights.

Keeping it forward allows for quick use and avoids blinding you at night, but does this increase the chances of corrosion, water intrusion or salt water build up?

Opinions please!

 

[dpmulvey]

Mine faces aft during daylight running to attempt to avoid water damage.

Frankly, I find the mounted lights to be a VLPITA. I can swing a handheld in the dark much faster than the motor can.

 

[r_moss]

Not to mention the damage that the flying fish can cause! I keep mine pointed back and down.

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=fyling+carp&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#q=flying+carp+asian&hl=en&emb=0

 

[ChuckW]

Aft and down. Let's me know if someone hit the power switch in daylight and keeps any flying debris while trailering it from cracking the lense.

 

[Bridog]

Aft and down for me too. Hate those flying fish.

 

[Uplate]

Aft and Down. This is the best protection from anything hitting the lens while underway I figure.

Easy enought to pan it around out of your eyes before turning it on. I regularly use hundreds of automated lights in my eyes, so this tiny thing is no big deal.

I cannot imagine a servo being stressed in any position, maybe if it is left in the On position...maybe.

 

[Asureyez]

Aft and down

 

[Bridog]

Most of the spotlights can not be panned around without being illuminated.

Most?? Scott, you cant turn yours around without turning the light on?

 

[Zorba]

Aft and Down. I trailer. If i know i'm boating after dark I turn it before dusk.

Don't you all just turn your awesome bow headlights on anyways while underway after dark?

 

[trit21]

Aft and down......I can't see why a dealer would rewire the movement (pan featuer) of the light. Every SeaRay I know has the ability to move the light without turning it on.....now someone will tell me otherwise I am sure but everyone I KNOW OF.......

 

[Woody]

You joke about being a pilot, right?

 

[trit21]

All right, which one of you clowns re-wired my spotlight???? :wink: Like I said, I take an extra large, and prefer a black tee-shirt with white font. "I AM A MORON" and for my wife, a small TEE that reads "I AM MARRIED TO A MORON"

From now on, my posts will start with Hello, such and such. and have the disclaimer to disregard everything past "Hello"

If you can't call yourself a moron, you can't call anyone else a moron. From now on, Scott is allowed to call anyone a moron, he has earned it.....:smt038

 

[2000SEARAY280SS]

Forward and down as you can see in my picture. Not likely to hit anything on the water that would break the lens. If I did I would be worried about the rest of the boat probably more.

 

[J Levine]

I once had one of these rebuilt by this guy:

http://www.lbharveymarine.com/

He told me to alwasy store it aft and down. Aft to help keep sea water out of the works and down to take the leverage off of the works when stowed. Everyone I have ever had on a Sea Ray had to be illuminated to be moved.

 

[JeffM]

Disclaimer: I haven't used the spotlight once in the five years we've owned the boat. I have a hand-held light I prefer.

However, after reading this thread I checked ours today, and the fixture will only move when the light is on. So Scott, you weren't completely wrong, maybe you were remembering an older boat.....

By the way, ours will only move about 30 degrees each side of center, and couldn't face backward even if I wanted it to. Were there different models used through the years?

 

[everthing's irie]

Aft and down. Mine spins with the light off.

 

[glennj3]

My boat is a 21 foot, 1987 seville, mid cabin cruiser. I have owned it since 1990. I have never left my Spot light facing any direction other than forward and slightly down. Still works fine, have replaced the bulb X 1 due to burn out! It is the ray line, chrome, 5 inch. It turns about 350 degrees left to right and up down about 40 degrees. I agree that the hand held light is much better, faster to see what you need. The front light is good for just cruising and needing some light ahead for general use.

Glenn

 

[trit21]

The problem with handheld lights is that you get a lot of reflection off all the white of the bow. This will impede your night vision. Using the light mounted at the very front of the bow the light does not reflect off the white topside thus increasing your night vision. We do a fair amount of night navigating and handheld are good for backup but limit your night vision. IMO....