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Thru-hull lights?

  • Thread starter Thread starter thoward
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thoward

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  1. OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
Hatteras Model
52' CONVERTIBLE (1983 - 1990)
Is anyone using thru-hull lights? How deep do you think you need to penetrate the water? They make them to 600' but I would think 75'-100' would be plenty.... :confused:
 
Those things look AWESOME! I would think that the depth would be hugely dependant on the water clarity wherever they are used. For a light to penetrate even clear blue ocean 600' sure sounds amazingly bright/powerful.
 
The 600'ers are $$$ and too much light for our boat I think. They range from 30' to 100' at a reasonable price. I think 3 transom lights and 2 side hull lights would look and perform well.
 
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I just installed Aqua Lights underwater lights on my 1978 58YF. The center of the lights are aprox. 8" below the waterline. The instructions call for 12" but I spoke with Aqua Lights and the said I should be fine. You just need to watch the temp of the glass.

Boat just went back in the water last week and I am anchoring out this weekend and can't wait to use them... :D

See attached photo...
 

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The other thing to remember about transom mounted lights is to make sure they are turned off with running. The water helps cool the lights. The glass lenses have been known to crack when left on and not cooled properly. I think you would be OK if slow trolling though. The water tends to churn more behind the transom at slower speeds.
 
I drive like grandpa at night(asleep with the autopilot on :D ). It is for fishing our dock at night and swordfishing in the stream. I am looking at the LEDs. Abyss makes a surface mount one that may work. They are only $300 but 6 or 8 should do the trick. I could go with thru-hulls and would only need 3 maybe 5 but I do not really want to put those big holes in the boat.
 
There should be some way to keep them from over heating due to no water maybe wire the switch to the key switch on the engines so you have to have the keys off.... in order to turn on the light on. you know it's vary easy to leave on as you goto get on plane :mad: it's just another thing to forget and break..
 
My son has 3 Abyss LED lights underwater on the transom of his "86 32 Hat. He says they are bright, easy to install, cool running, and draw very little power. They also are a bunch cheaper than regular ones. We are going to put 4 on our 36C Hat next week. we have already installed a continuous string of small LED lights under the deck coaming in the cockpit. These do a great job of illuminating the cockpit floor in soft blue. They don't reflect upward. Great addition.
 
I think those lights sure look cool. They are definitely more convenient to the free floating swordfish lights BUT I am in thoward's camp as I think less holes in the hull the better. In the above pics the boat has a swim platform....can't you attach something to the platform that approaches safe and efficient. If designed correctly, they could be tucked under the platform and essentially invisible.
 
How thick was the transom there? Is it cored there or solid? I saw a set attached with little SS brackets to the tabs... stayed wet when slow, and slightly elevated when under way. ws
 
Maynard Rupp said:
My son has 3 Abyss LED lights underwater on the transom of his "86 32 Hat. He says they are bright, easy to install, cool running, and draw very little power. They also are a bunch cheaper than regular ones. We are going to put 4 on our 36C Hat next week. we have already installed a continuous string of small LED lights under the deck coaming in the cockpit. These do a great job of illuminating the cockpit floor in soft blue. They don't reflect upward. Great addition.
Click to expand...

If you take any pics please post. Are you not in Fla right now? If so maybe I could drive out and see them some time. Those blue lights are great as they do not mess up your vision. I crank up the 4 500w spreader lights and it causes night blindness. Not a good thing when you are dealing with big billfish.

Carl, I do not run on plane in the dark so breakage due to heat is a non issue. The high end ones have a heat sensor with auto shutoff but I see no reason to put 10-15k in lights.

Bill, The boat is not cored but the trim tabs are recessed otherwise I'd be rigging me some pool lights back there....
 
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Thru-hull lights?

Hey, how about some playing cards in the spokes, a banana seat and some racing stripes too? :rolleyes:

Sorry - couldn't resist. I admit they look neat at night - on someone else's boat. I figure there are enough oem hull holes awaiting leaks as it is.

The cards in the spokes though...hmm :cool:


OK, maybe as someone suggested, too many cervasas!:)
 
thoward said:
If you take any pics please post. Are you not in Fla right now? If so maybe I could drive out and see them some time. Those blue lights are great as they do not mess up your vision. I crank up the 4 500w spreader lights and it causes night blindness. Not a good thing when you are dealing with big billfish.

Carl, I do not run on plane in the dark so breakage due to heat is a non issue. The high end ones have a heat sensor with auto shutoff but I see no reason to put 10-15k in lights.

Bill, The boat is not cored but the trim tabs are recessed otherwise I'd be rigging me some pool lights back there....
Click to expand...
I hope to be back in Miami on the 15th. We are at Dinner Key marina. Dock #6. Call me 313-701-1179.
 
We will be down in Miami for Dania Marine Flea Market which is March 29th(I think). I will try to get with you then. Thanks.....

Mike, they are for fishing at night as the light brings in small critters which in turn draws large critters. It also helps you to see what is going on with a hooked fish under water. The :cool: ness factor is just an added bonus.... :D
 
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If your going to spend that much money for 3-6 lights whats another thousand, go for the transom camera too and hook it to your laptop or vcr and record the bite in the day or at night record the guest's that loose there bikinis :D
 
I often require the guests to remove their bikini tops to use at my discression in tying the boat up. That bikini string is the strongest line known to man!!!LOL :D
 
Mike, they are for fishing at night

Oh!

Well I'll be darned! I didn't know that. I thought folks just wanted them 'cuz they thought they looked cool.

As you can no doubt tell, I do all my fishing at the grocery store.

Thanks!
 
You guys need to have confidence in those Hatteras hulls!

I figured that I've filled in enough of the oem holes (portlights, vent openings, xducer openings) to make a neutral off-set...cutting 2 x 3" holes for the big 110V lights is IMHO well worth the percieved "risk".
It's all bout the installation.

I've had the Aqua lights in the transom for 2+ years with out a hitch. Floating around the Gulfstream at night, the transom looks very similar to a lit swimming pool with lights, except for the mahi schools, squid, flying fish, etc., that just love the illuminated water.

One of my better decisions.
 
As far as volts/bulb watts go:

what is the preferred.

110v ac ?

12/24 dc?

50w bulbs

100w bulbs

500w bulbs ?????
 
I went with the Ocean LED 3010's, they(two) pull around 8amps@24V or 16amps@12v (the controller works with both voltages) and emit a LOT of light, about the same as a 150 metal halide. I can't wait to try them in the Bahamas next month :) .
 
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