Remote Searchlight are they worth it?

[emcm0025]

Hi all,

As the title says just looking for some general answers to the above, are searchlights worth having fitted or they just another extra? If they are worth having then where is best place to look best prices and what make type to look for?

Ignorance here well I’ve looked and can’t find evidence to a yes or no, do you use them when underway at night/poor visibility?

I look forward to any replies and advice given

Ewan

 

[mikesyam]

Got a factory fitted one on my Sealine and its a chocolate fire guard! It will light up the deck ok but not much good for much else and certanly nothing like a headlight, tried it one night and just got a glare from the stainless rails.

 

[omega2]

handy for negotiating moorings in winter after dark, no good underway in the open, unless you lose a body over the side, if you do fit one make sure it is either well forward, or as high as possible, to prevent throw back from the rails etc. Possibly a good hand held rechargable is just as good, if you have a mate with you of course.

 

[Wiggo]

As Omega said, great for picking out buoys but sod all use in any kind of a sea as they just appear to amplify the movement of the boat.

 

[peterb26]

Never had one on any of my boats, but been on delivery boats with them on.

Yep - chocolate teapot/fireguard etc etc comes to mind.

 

[pheran]

As low as possible ie deck level and right at the bow as seen on some US boats is OK but even then, not a must have accessory. Hand-held on a wander lead is far more flexible.

 

[GrowingLad]

Interesting this, I'm in the process of having my boat re-fitted and this was something that I was going to have fitted. It will be ontop of the wheel house but this was something that bothered me. There is a stainless steel hand rail around plus a stailess tripod for arial and radar reflector.....hmmmm at 125 quid I may have to give this some more thought.....

Other suggestions??

Hand held lead light ?

 

[GrowingLad]

whoops pheran has Psychic powers...note to self, must remember that you have preview and then it posts...

 

[DoubleVision]

Ditto to all posts above. Tried mine at the Cowes fireworks last year and it took me 5 mins to get my night vision back! It looks good up there though and is handy for bugging the neighbours on the pontoon. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Alistairr]

I have a factory fitted one on my Sealine, and like it.
I think its useless to use it while traveling, but navigating the narrows on Loch Lomond, and for using whilst picking up a mooring or while setting the Anchor, its excellent.
I will always make sure i have one.

Cheers

Al.

 

[emcm0025]

Thanks all, as you have just saved me £125. After reading above a pistol grip handheld will be it then easy and cheap to replace.

 

[Nick_H]

Agree with others, totally useless when mounted on the radar arch as all they do is light up the bow and blind you to everything else. Some bigger Sunseekers have them mounted above the bow roller, which could be useful for picking up buoys at night. (For any Lib Dem MP's reading this, that's buoys with a "u")

 

[Tugw]

(For any Lib Dem MP's reading this, that's buoys with a "u")

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[duncan]

if it lights up any part of the foredeck or railings then it's pretty useless - and if you have an outside helm position you are better off there with all other lights off in most circumstances.

hand held helps with people and things overboard, potentially assists in collission avoidance etc etc

I have a compromise on my boat, it's a HH on a remote lead that plugs into the 12v socket and is long enough to go from helm position to a dedicated locking position I have installed above the bow roller (it came with the locking plate and that's where I installed it) which I use when returning through the last moorings to my berth in pitch black.

It can also be mounted using a good suction plate to many areas of the boat.

 

[emcm0025]

Where did you get one like that?

Thanks

 

[[2068]]

My remote searchlight came with the boat (not specified by me).

It has the following uses:
1.) Removing all night vision for 15minutes.
2.) Illuminating the front guardrail.
3.) Attracting mosquitos.

 

[duncan]

I think it was asap supplies - it lives in a nice bag in a locker and comes out from time to time /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif was about £75

I did have a cheap hh 27trillion candle power one but that lasted 6 months.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

wasn;t asap but the unit is one of these - golite

 

[cliff]

How about one of these? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[duncan]

good find cliff - everything but the additional clip in mounting plate i have with my unit

 

[emcm0025]

Thanks Cliff for looking that up, and thanks Duncan for the info on the portable solution.