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Underwater lights - are they worth it?

Discussion in 'Electronics' started by SoCalD, Feb 27, 2021.

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  1. gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    Price out new RIBs lately?:)
  2. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    The last one I bought (for a client) was a pre-owned 13' with a 50hp for $10,000. J gave a price of $12K for 4 lights.
  3. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    I also don't like the wedges option, and as I said I think lights would work well also pointing diagonally downwards.
    But having said that, at planing speed obviously there would be no drag at all.
    And even if I don't think, as Capt J suggested, that the angled transom above would be out of the water at anything above idle (more like up to 10/12 knots, if I should guess), the drag of some small wedges, just large as much as the lights, would be negligible.
  4. gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    Good point, 12 K for 4 lights, he did say that. get out the hole saw, the boat is already hauled, let’s get some goop and get ‘er done for way less!
  5. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    If like me you've got scuba rechargeable flashlights onboard anyway, that's a zero cost alternative.
    And it works as well on the tender as on the mothership! :cool:
  6. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    :D
  7. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Try $30k for a Walker bay 15 with 75 Honda 4 years ago ...
  8. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Even figuring only 2 lights for half the price that's expensive bling. 20% added to the price of boat and motor for 2 lights.
  9. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    On a tender you can put some small lights, for $200-400 a piece. Someone even make a light that fits in the plug hole.
  10. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    That sounds more reasonable.
  11. SIMON ZAMMIT

    SIMON ZAMMIT New Member

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    Dear Pascal.

    I really like your idea. I would like to install the lights but dont want to put holes in transom. My only concern is the wiring on how to guide them above waterline and then penetrate inside. any ideas?
  12. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    you can use a strip of 3/4 Coosa about 1” wide with a groove for the wire to be recessed in.
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  13. SIMON ZAMMIT

    SIMON ZAMMIT New Member

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    Thanks a lot for your kind help Pascal. Will use the Coosa board . Yes better . What about the wire?. I was thinking to install them just under the line of the waterline in order for wire not to be exposed a lot underwater. Contacted Lumitech and they said it is not recommended as the area where the wires pass out of the housing should not be constantly exposed to the water. The idea of drilling the new hull though is not in my plan.
  14. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    You just run the wire thru the Coosa as if it was the hull and then in a groove behind all full of sealant
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  15. SIMON ZAMMIT

    SIMON ZAMMIT New Member

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    Thanks a lot and again Pascal for your kind help and ideas. Just one last question if i may ask. As the coosa panel will be constantly underwater ( Saltwater) do you think I need to glass it or?
  16. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    It doesn’t absorb water but I always roll a couple of coats of epoxy whether above or below wl
  17. SIMON ZAMMIT

    SIMON ZAMMIT New Member

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    Thanks a lot Pascal. Ordered some panels of the bluewater 26. Would attach to transom with polyester resin or epoxy resin? once attached to transom would do some coats of resin at front. then install lights.
  18. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I always use epoxy. West System with 404 high strength filler in this case
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