Suggestions for Flybridge lighting, please.

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PEJ

PEJ

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Could you help me with some suggestions for how to light up my flybridge. Did you retro fit something on yours that might work on mine?

The boat is a Princess 61 with canvas bimini like the the ones in the photos, except on mine the sleeve that the attaches it to cross tube runs the whole length of the tube so there is no exposed stainless as there are in these examples.

jrudge of this parish pointed me to some groovy LED lights that I put round the seating area but the 24 power supply unit keeps failing and in any case I really want something on the "ceiling" that shines downwards.

Any thoughts?
 

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We fitted 4 led's per rail countersunk into the overhead bimini rails, simply got local cover makers to cut & finish holes in the canvas, the wiring is run through the SS rails, massive improvement we use the flybridge in the evening so much more for dining & entertainment. IMO one of the best upgrades we have done on the boat.

Sorry can't find any photos..
 
Timage.eu have several lights that fit onto bimini tubes. As pan says you'll need to modify your canvas.

This is not a simple upgrade due to having to drill the stainless steel tubes.

A much simpler idea for lighting a dinner table is a couple of fat boys.
 
jfm said:
This is not a simple upgrade due to having to drill the stainless steel tubes.
Click to expand...

Plus you will be seeing cables at each bimini tube junction. That was the sole reason why I didn't go that way.

If you can walk the wires from inside the legs, I would suggest you to use strip LEDs under the table skirts. Those will not help to see what you are eating but for sure will provide a very nice ambiance. If you use 24V LEDs, they will not fail easily. Also they will be in a more protected area when they will be under the table.

Here are a couple of photos from my previous boat to give you an idea:
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Very simple Varta LED bulb hanging light .Circa €15 from a DIY store .
Doubles up as what ever too , like extra low power anchor light or grab bag light , ER room dark area light , emergency light etc etc .
You can move it as well .
Instal is just tie a hanging cord .

Ok bit camping, buts what’s not to like under canvas ?

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You can get the rechargeable LED lights with V clamps which can be clamped around the tube with the canvas on.
 
jrudge said:
Mapism has something similar on his boat. It was lovely but £160 ish which I baulked at!
Click to expand...
That's actually the price of the gold or chrome versions.
Ours is the crystal clear one, which on top of costing a bit less is actually more elegant, according to the Admiral.
Besides, we managed to buy it for fairly less in a sort of factory outlet, which is not far from where we live. Still outrageous 'fiuaskme, but hey-ho!
This is the webpage that you'd better NOT show to your wives.
For some reason, the geometric light that the thing throws on the table is a sort of chick magnet.
We already had to buy others for several friends of ours, because of that... :rolleyes:
 
I have a sports cruiser with similar lighting issues as my canvas goes under the radar arch lights. When I had the bimini based canopy made I had the clear plastic window material sewn on the underside of the rail pocket and fitted a LED strip. Wiring can be run inside the pocket and/or through the rail. It works very well with good light when we need it rather than the built in "mood lighting" found at floor level.
 
PEJ said:
Thank you so much to everyone who posted and for the great links.

I see on the fat boy website that they have a hanging lantern also: https://www.fatboy.com/gb-en/lampie-on

And these balls look pretty groovy too: https://www.fatboy.com/gb-en/bolleke

I think I might get one or two of those.
Click to expand...

The hanging balls are perfect for the job PEJ. We borrowed a couple from another boat for a night, and hung them from the bimini frame, and it gives just the right amount and tone of light. 3 brightness settings iirc so you can set the mood.
 
Nick_H said:
The hanging balls are perfect for the job PEJ. We borrowed a couple from another boat for a night, and hung them from the bimini frame, and it gives just the right amount and tone of light. 3 brightness settings iirc so you can set the mood.
Click to expand...

Good to know because I went a bit OTT and bought two of them and two tables lamps! I only wanted one lamp but they wanted £20 for delivery and another lamp pushed me up to free delivery.

It will be like Blackpool illuminations up there now! :)
 
Yes, I am well pleased with my fatboys.

I hang the two balls from the bimini on the flybridge and the two lamps are used up there or in the cockpit.

Thanks JFM for the recommendation and JR for the purchase link.
 
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