Bow lights / night landing lights install?

[Erik]

Has anyone ever installed those bow landing lights on their boats? Every time I see a boat with those things on them - I begin to drool terribly. Is this something that any of you have dony - or is this normally done at the factory.

Or, is it something that a dealer could install? At first I was thinking about doing it myself, but I am not sure that drilling a huge set of holes like that is such a good idea...

Any advice or information on this would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Erik

[winebrad]

RE: Bow lights / night landing lights install?

I am having the dealer install a set this week. The total cost is around $400 installed.

Brad
02 Air

[Erik]

RE: Bow lights / night landing lights install?

Would you post some pics, when it is done? And thanks for the reply! At least now I know it is possible. Thank you.

[Mikeski]

RE: Bow lights / night landing lights install?

I have them, they are useless, save your money.

[Erik]

RE: Bow lights / night landing lights install?

Hmm - really. Can you explain a little bit more? They are awesome looking, and I could definitely see using them...

[DRAGON88]

They look good no doubt, but they actually don't work good at all. If you want lighting for docking/ trailer loading, get/make some tower lights. It seems like with lighting stuff it's always one step below what it's advertised to do. IE: Tower lights are really only good for docking (they help a bit with night riding, but not much, from a drivers stand point anyways.)

The docking lights shine light maybe 3 to 4 ft in front of the bow. This is because of CGA regulations about having "white lights" on the bow. I guess it is illegal if they actually illuminate more then like 4 or so ft.

Ascetically- They look awesome

Functionally- They're not really worth the money.

Just my two cents.

[DRAGON88]

Picture that maybe can give some idea of what I'm talking about.

[AbunDiga909]

I only have tower lights on my fams boat, but at times I feel bad when docking for blinding everyone enjoying their dinner outside at the marina when docking at night. Yeah, they light up the dock and reflectors on the bouys amazingly well, but they draw a lot of power if not wired perfectly, and I promise you someone on land will eventually complain about how bright your lights are. Its not a good feeling, getting that complaint, but hitting a dock too fast is worse.

Erik, more specifically, for our area, I know some people that won't touch the boat as far as drilling holes in the bow for installing them. I know NECC is very good at it, and they've even installed them on the 216, which technically they are not supposed to fit on. If you are really into it, give Craig a call, he seemed really confident about it compared to another dealer which didn't seem to comfortable.

[Erik]

Awesome info - thanks folks. Dragon I got your IM but I was at dinner with my Dad. Thanks for this information. I had been considering tower lights as well.

[winebrad]

Eric,

I have tower lights now but I don't like illuminating the whole marina when I dock besides they look really cool.
Hammer's in Petaluma is performing the install and they have not indicated that there will be any problem on my 216. I will definately post pics when it is finished. I am also installing dual batteries, reinstalling the newly re-powder coated tower, and I will be installing new Polk Momo's and a APX 480 Amp.

Brad
02 Air

[Mikeski]

Erik,

I don't do much boating when it's pitch black out, my dock has an overhead motion operated light that illuminates when the boat approaches. The first time I used them I thought they were not working because I couldn't even tell that they were on. They do light up the trailer a bit when loading at night but no better than the tow vehicle's backup lights. My expectations were a bit higher than what they deliver. As for looks I guess it's personal preferance, I can take them or leave them. My boat came out of Hammer's stock it had the lights and a few other options that I would not have selected but Jim made me a better deal than I could have made if I ordered the boat so I went for it... No regrets, I just leave the lights off. I do carry a bright spot that plugs in the lighter, I use it if I really need to see something at night.

[882001]

thats not good. i also thought that those lights would be awsome. you ever tried using towerlights when its the least bit foggy? its not good. could you modify the lights by installing better bulbs or changing out the reflecter?