Search light on Bow

[itsonlymoney]

What is the easiest way to route the cable for a Bow mounted search light on my Bayliner 2655 ?
Is there an alternative place (that works) to mount one ?
Any suggestions on types ?

Thanks in advance of a reply - Ian

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[tcm]

um, i would say that it will be rubbish having a searchlight on the bow, cos partly you lose all night vision, and secondly the bow is the bounciest bit of the boat, so it will be all over the place.

if you must have a searchlight, best place is at the cg of the boat behind the helm, up high - because unless you spend a fortune on a searchlight it won't be waterproof, or not very waterproof anyway - they always go manky after a season or two of drenching.



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[Roy]

There are a few B liners at our place with bow mounted lights and they appear to be wired either straight down into the forepeak or inside the stanchion and along the railing runs before dropping inside. However, I agree with tcm re the night vis and bounce, so unless there is one already mounted on your bow, invest in a removeable clip on job that you can fix to your windscreen mountings or as suggested, fit it on your radar arch. Cheers. roy

<hr width=100% size=1>What does this mean then?

 

[duncan]

surely he wouldn't be using the bow mounted searchlight anywhere other than in sheltered water - ie marina or upper ecelons of a harbour for mooring?
agree re night vision - critical that no part of the boat is lit up by the searchlight.

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[itsonlymoney]

Yep inland water only.
Any ideas as to were to purchase a "clip on" job. No radar arch so windscreen mount is possible. Alternatively I saw a rubber sucker type, cigar socket powered that swiveled and had joystick control pre wired at my local Gunshop. They use them on land rover bonnets when "spotlighting" rabbit etc. What does anyone think to this idea, bearing in mind that I only need a searchlight a few times a year and then only for 6 miles or so back to the marina.
Ian

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[Roy]

Buy a couple of powerful plug in lantern spots - about £15 from usual sources. Give as much - no, more range than mid price boat searchlights for fraction of cost. Ideal for your intended purposes.

<hr width=100% size=1>What does this mean then?

 

[itsonlymoney]

Roy
Thanks I will look into that option.
Ian

<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !

 

[Jim44]

You can get 3.5million+ watt touches that are very good, will last for about 20 mins and can plug into 12v socket.

I have 1 on my boat, search light broken and not got round to mending it yet.

Borrow it and see what you think. If it is only for 6 times a year it should do the trick.

I came back from Beech Hill last night about 9 o'clock not totally dark but could see better with no search lights. Came back from Waterhead on Monday night about 9.30pm on a Dorel with a search light monuted on the radar arch but did really help with vision



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[BarryH]

Shooting is my other hobby that takes loads of money. Was out lamping a few nights ago using one of the remote bonnet mounted things. Basically they're crap for the money. The bulb is too far in front of the reflector giving a "black" spot in the center of the beam. So you have to use the periferal of the beam to actually see anything. I ended up using the night sight for spotting and the gun mounted lamp for the shot.
Robert Dyas are doing a rechargable hand held spot for £9.99. It comes with both 240volt and 12volt charging leads. I've had one on the boat for a while and its fairly good. Or for inexpensive night vision you can pick up early generation sights from the back of a few gun mags. Shooting Sports had and ad for Gen2 surplus for less than £100. Bit grainy, but useable.

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