DIY Boating Spotlights
With the shorter winter days rapidly approaching, boaties are more likely to spend at least some of their trip in the dark. Getting in and out of marinas/anchorages is fraught at the best of times, let alone when you can’t see hazards or channel markers. Use a spotlight.
It’s illegal to have very bright, front-facing white lights on your boat while underway if these prevent another boat from seeing your coloured navigation lights. Running at speed with ‘headlights’ isn’t allowed. But a bright spotlight may be used when coming into a berth or anchorage. Because the hazard is not always in front of you, having a controllable light that can be pointed anywhere it is an advantage. So, if you want to retrofit one, what’s currently available in New Zealand?.
Bottom of the pile, in both cost and complexity, is a powerful waterproof torch. Although these don’t compare with specialist spotlights, they’re cheap, readily available and spare batteries can be kept on hand. The popular Eveready Dolphin model can be sourced from any hardware store or supermarket, and its 200-lumen output is good in an emergency.
A far better option, though, is a handheld rechargeable spotlight. Most marine chandlers have a variety of options, ranging from 12V plug-in models through to battery-powered standalone models. Both halogen bulb and LED models are available, with the halogens being generally cheaper but also consuming more power.
My favourite is the 45-watt rechargeable LED spotlight model available from Jaycar Electronics, which is IP67 waterproof and also floats. It can be recharged through a 12V socket, and the manufacturers claim an astonishing 4,500 lumens of light.
A wrist strap helps prevent it from being dropped overboard and included in the package is a clip-in bracket to allow it to be
Ensure the intended mounting point is either low and below, or forward of any stainless surfaces.
used hands-free. The manufacturers claim a run time of more than 75 minutes on a full charge, which should be enough to get you home safely.
The issue with a handheld solution, though, is that you need one hand to hold and direct the light. This can be a problem for a solo boatie trying to steer at the same time. Also, you really do NOT want to be directing a spotlight through a glass window. Trust me on this – these units should only be turned on outside the confines of the cabin – inside, you will at the very least temporarily blind yourself!
This could be an issue if it is raining and you don’t want to open the window or hatch, but of course those are precisely the conditions when visibility is limited and you’re most likely to be needing a spotlight.
MOUNTED MODELS
A better solution is an externally-mounted spotlight. The fixed-mount versions will cost about the same as a good handheld and need to be permanently mounted on a cabin roof or deck. Before you commit to a location, however, be aware of reflections off shiny surfaces like a bow rail, which can render the spotlight useless due to the glare.
Ensure the intended mounting point is either low and below, or forward of any stainless surfaces. A roof mount is a better solution (since this complies with maritime regulations) but ensure you place it far enough back from the edge of the roof (to cast a shadow over the bow railing and prevent that reflected glare).
When choosing a fixed-mount option, you can opt for either a