I'm a simple man. I still enjoy just sitting and watching the sunrise and sunset every day when we are cruising. If I had fish to watch, my wife would probably think I had had a seizure.
Underwater lighting experiences
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- Start date
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I'm a simple man. I still enjoy just sitting and watching the sunrise and sunset every day when we are cruising. If I had fish to watch, my wife would probably think I had had a seizure.
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2008
- Messages
- 13,731
- Location
- California Delta
- Vessel Name
- FlyWright
- Vessel Make
- 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
1. I'd NEVER use silicone as an underwater sealant. I'd use one of several products intended for below-waterline use.
2. I'd pay special attention to sealing the drilled holes into the wood transom. The installer drilled a large hole for the wire, fed the wire through the bare hole, then squirted some silicone into the hole from the inside of the transom hoping it would fully cover and seal the hole. I wouldn't want to bet the life of my transom that I got that right on the first attempt. Wrong product and wrong technique.
3. Given the choice, I'd opt for a mounting board attached to the transom with 5200 that would accommodate the mounting screws to preserve the integrity of the transom.
4. He's already got one wire hanging over the top of the transom and the light kit includes a mounting plate to allow redirecting the wire. Why not route the cable to above the waterline and drill a hole through the transom above the WL? A properly sealed hole above the WL with a clamshell cover would look professional and help preserve the integrity of the transom.
And, there you have it! My thoughts exactly!!
Benthic2
Guru
Thanks. The list of materials at the beginning said "silicone/marine sealant"
I also noticed that he already had a wire running down the transom, so why not just add this one to that.
I also noticed that he already had a wire running down the transom, so why not just add this one to that.
dhays
Guru
- Joined
- May 26, 2015
- Messages
- 9,045
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Kinship
- Vessel Make
- North Pacific 43
UW lights might be interesting and attractive in a boat that spends its time in clear water but I can't see it for Puget Sound. We have very murky water. There is just so much organic matter in the water that we have very poor visibility. Lights under the water would likely end up looking like a green glow regardless of the color.
psneeld
Guru
I believe the light had a tapered rubber fitting on it so when screwed in, it plugged the hole where the wire went through.
So just a smear of someting should have made it watertight.
Not probably the best for big boats, but for 6 inches underwater on a trailerable boat???
So just a smear of someting should have made it watertight.
Not probably the best for big boats, but for 6 inches underwater on a trailerable boat???
There is an advantage to through hull lights where the light remains inside the boat. Eventually the lights fail. With a light mounted inside the boat you can replace the lamp without having to haul the boat. This was a huge deal in the days of filament lamps, but not quite as big a concern with LED. But potted LED's still go bad.
I'm replacing several unneeded transducers and through hulls with underwater lights. Faster to cut a bigger hole and install a Lloyds of London approved light than patch the hole. I have zero concerns that a glass lens intended for use on high speed battle wagons and yachts is going to ever receive enough of an impact at 8 mph to break.
I'm replacing several unneeded transducers and through hulls with underwater lights. Faster to cut a bigger hole and install a Lloyds of London approved light than patch the hole. I have zero concerns that a glass lens intended for use on high speed battle wagons and yachts is going to ever receive enough of an impact at 8 mph to break.
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