Going to have to ditch my powdercoated flip up bow light to make room for trolling motor quick release bracket.
I have not installed rub rail yet, so I have some options:
Rub rail insert LED’s - but they have a stainless “flange” that goes in rub rail, and might not be able to disassemble to powdercoat
Shark Eyes - can disassemble and PC housings black easily, but requires holes in hull
Rub rail LED strips - wont last long
NAV light on a mast with a receptacle on bow - just seems like an afterthought, and in the way
I did find these on Amazon…they’re black, and super small. I could put them very far forward under the rolled gunnel and make them work probably…
I have them on the side of my console, love it, the only thing i will say is be weary of your passengers standing on the side riding blocking the lights, my buddies we always fish with like to stand on either side of the console and i had a boat come very close to me early one morning because they couldnt see me. Needless to say, no one stands on side of console when riding out anymore.
Other than that, easy to wire and really prefer them there. Anything goes out they are really easy to change out on the spot too. everything is right there.
Look at where Jesus went to pick people. He didn’t go to the colleges; he got guys off the fishing docks.
Seems like this is going to be the way that I go. While worried about the glare on the sides, I don’t think it will be bad enough to warrant the other options…
Also, I have no more room in conduit to get any more wire to the bow, and already have that wire run…but I need it for something else, so this may work out in the long run after all.
Thanks all…
Anyone have any other bad experience with the console mounted lights?
FishinMission - I can see that becoming a problem. Thankfully in my little boat, it’s only someone on front of console sitting and maybe one more sitting at helm with me, so no worries on that aspect. Standing up underway on my boat is a no go!
Buddy, this is what I used, No glare at all when sitting back behind the console driving. I put mine as high up and as far forward on the side of my console as I could.
For those with nav lights on the console it might be worth sharing a picture. The regulation is specific on red/green light shining dead ahead and aft 112 degrees in either direction. To me that means the lights need to be a bubble type design to mount on the console side. Since a bubble type protrudes above the console surface the light can be seen by someone directly in front of the boats path. Someone let me know if this is an incorrect interpretation…it would definitely be an easier to install on the console but flat LEDs may not pass inspection, etc.
I installed a pair on my console last year! A couple of weeks ago I was washing my boat and found the cover missing on the starboard side I tried to contact the mfg. to see if I could get just the green cover to no avail so I ordered a set of stick on 12" red and green LEDs off the net for $5.00 and they work great, I mounted them on the grab rail on either side makeing sure the were visible at 112 deg I have order more to add to my other boats, you can even mount them in the rubrail! After sticking them on I covered them with clear epoxy.
