LED Docking Lights?? Seadog? Attwood? Innovative? Something else?

[EricU]

I want to add some docking lights, (got caught late a few times last year) any suggestions on the following:

Seadog Stainless Steel Led Docking Lights SDG-4059501 (http://www.jmsonline.net/seadog-stainless-steel-led-docking-lights-sdg-4059501.htm?gclid=CNuZuva4-LUCFaI-MgodhDAAOA) Look a little cheezy in the photo

Attwood 6522SS7 Stainless Steel LED Docking Lights (http://www.boatersland.com/att6522ss7.html?gclid=CNa37tG5-LUCFetFMgodCQgASw) Cant quite tell in the photo about these

Innovatiove Lighting 585-0200-7 - LED DOCKING LIGHTS, S.S. (http://www.sailsmarine.com/ItemDetail.aspx?c=165565&l=g) Look nice, but more $$


I have some of the Attwood LEDs for the side that I am going to wire up along with the docking lights.

Soon as I am done with redoing the backyard and pool I am concentrating on the Moomba (already gave in and started subbing some stuff out!!) cause its almost that season!!!!

[EricU]

Soooo... Nobody has any experience with adding any of these docking lights to a boat?

No one?

Come on! Someone has to know something about these different brands...

[ian ashton]

My 08 Outback had docking lights - they were completely pointless.

[mmandley]

My 08 Outback had docking lights - they were completely pointless.

My 08 LSV had Docking lights and they were just a bling item. They didn't function well. You couldn't even tell they were on till you were almost on the trailer and by then its too late.

I'm looking more towards LEDs for the trailer to make it easier to see at night.

[brain_rinse]

If my boat didn't have them I wouldn't add them. They are hard to seal and let water in the bow, especially when running an IBS. And I've used them maybe once. Maybe if they were higher and brighter? Even still I'd probably find other things to spend the money on instead.

[bergermaister]

Curious - are you concerned about navigating obstacles in a channel - logs, deadheads, etc?

Anytime I've run at night any forward lighting has done more harm than good, at least if you are running at speed. I'd suggest getting a big old 2-3mil candle power spotlight and stash it in a cubby somewhere until you need it.

[EricU]

Curious - are you concerned about navigating obstacles in a channel - logs, deadheads, etc?...

No, just coming into the docks later than I should. Our local lake kinda blows for getting smooth water and we usually end up pushing it time-wise to catch the late water settling down. It's about a half hour jaunt to the docks from the cove and we end up coming into the unlit docks in the dark. My old '03 Natique had em and they did help. I did mount some lights on my tower late last season and I was surprised how much they helped at the docks and just want to add to them.

[bergermaister]

Ah - gotcha. My launches are usually pretty well lit - it's the main channel or wide open water where it gets really dark and a little unnerving sometimes. Just remember to take off the sunglasses = much better. :cool:

I don't have docking lights either but if I had to I'd be looking at something surface mount and flush as possible - little holes for wiring much better than big holes for recessed mounts. Or just stick with the towers and done.

[viking]

my 07 has docking lights and they do help when extremely close to dock but other than that they aren't very bright. I personally would not retro-fit them. Not worth it imo.
I'd go with forward facing lights on the tower if you really want them to be functional.

[chawk610]

Our '08 has them, we use them so I can sit in the bow when we are coming in and watch the small fish dart around... but I honestly do not think they have much more function than that. I think the are cool though.

[motosno963]

id say trailer lights..i saw a video of the axis trailer at night in the water and it looks like a lit runway haha..i might do that for my trailer

[chawk610]

Great idea... I think I know my next mod!

[bergermaister]

Hop over here for a look - http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=794995

I was thinking that might be cool but now, uh, blinding is more the word. Need a dimmer. I supposed when they're 2-3ft under it wouldn't be quite so bad.

[chawk610]

I wonder though... would that get the attention of the police? Would that be "legal"? Not that I get hammered at the lake, but I have been know to have a few... and it does NOT take much to blow .08

[bergermaister]

I would definitely not be driving around anywhere all "lit" up with the trailer - think about that one for a second. But while loading up and wiping down at the ramp and stowing gear I'd keep it glowing. Unless that would be an all-you-can eat sign for the mosquitoes and bugs.

[mmandley]

I saw this but the add for those lights is gone. I would be willing to take this on as the first Moomba guy to do it LOL.

Wouldnt be the first time i tested an idea on my boat.

I was thinking the same with the white and being too bright, ilegal at night.

I was thinking orange, still able to see it and your allowed to have orange lights on the trailer.
I was also concerned with my laser ethed lights that say Moomba but i was told because there Iced over and its dull, its ok

[NCSUmoomba]

I have never used the docking lights, but I do have tower lights. They mostly attract bugs. They add too much glare and mess up the human "night vision" when trying to run with them. Not much help at dock. That being said, they are great for cleaning all the stuff out of the boat once we are done. I have forward and rear facing ones, and they will pivot. I can point them down and light up the whole inside of the boat really well.