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03-19-2015, 11:02 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
City: Cruising Florida and Bahamas
Vessel Name: TBD
Vessel Model: Tiara 53 Fly
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 215
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Underwater lights on a Grand Banks?
Background:
We will be leaving on the Great Loop this Fall.
Admiral has seen underwater lights on lots of boats but there aren't too many GB's in the Great Lakes to view.
A happy admiral makes for a good trip....
Clearly this option is not common on a trawler although many express cruisers and other types of vessels have added them over the past few years.
Questions:
But, what will we be doing to our three years down the road resale value? Will this make the boat undesirable to a trawler buyer?
What does one need to spend on the LED lights? There are some very expensive ones out there...are they worth the extra $$$?
Is there a brand someone can recommend that is a reliable, functional, middle of the road price?
I expect this will create a spirited debate!
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03-19-2015, 11:05 AM
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#2
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Guru
City: South FL
Vessel Name: Oliver
Vessel Model: Nordhavn 47 Hull# 12
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,607
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I don't think they have an effect on resale.
We installed 4 Lumitec Sea Blaze X's and I'm quite happy with them they are dual color all you have to do is cycle the toggle switch to go through the various modes.
They're about $400 a light, pretty fair I think.
__________________
Thanks, Oliver
M/V Oliver
Nordhavn 47 Hull #12
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03-19-2015, 11:25 AM
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#3
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Guru
City: Satsuma FL
Vessel Name: No Mo Trawla
Vessel Model: Hurricane SS188
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,300
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What function do they serve?
Seems to me like something one would buy only if they have too many boat bucks in the bank. There are better things to spend boat bucks on IMHO.
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03-19-2015, 11:54 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
City: San Diego and Gabriola
Vessel Name: Skookum Maru
Vessel Model: Ed Monk design #1924
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 228
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N4712
I don't think they have an effect on resale.
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Several additional penetrations of the hull below the waterline for no good purpose? Reduces the resale value IMO.
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03-19-2015, 11:55 AM
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#5
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Guru
City: Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Vessel Name: Moana Huaka'i
Vessel Model: Selene 53
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 816
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donsan
What function do they serve?
Seems to me like something one would buy only if they have too many boat bucks in the bank. There are better things to spend boat bucks on IMHO.
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Actually if you fish, at night, many species will be attracted to the lights. For example squid are very much attracted, and other desirable species follow.
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03-19-2015, 12:04 PM
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#6
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Guru
City: South FL
Vessel Name: Oliver
Vessel Model: Nordhavn 47 Hull# 12
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,607
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Quote:
Originally Posted by QB
Several additional penetrations of the hull below the waterline for no good purpose? Reduces the resale value IMO.
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No, they're small 1/4 holes with 3 #10 self tapping screws. I got bigger things to worry about.
__________________
Thanks, Oliver
M/V Oliver
Nordhavn 47 Hull #12
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03-19-2015, 12:52 PM
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#7
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Guru
City: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,438
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Propery installed underwater lights would have zero negative effect on resale. As would the added thruhulls nesscessary for the high powered units.
http://www.charterworld.com/news/wp-...o-M.-Paris.jpg
I've installed quite a few sets. And I have found, as with anything, you get what you pay for. If you cheap out you most likely will be disappointed in there brightness.
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03-19-2015, 12:54 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Vessel Name: Moana Huaka'i
Vessel Model: Selene 53
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 816
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Actually, I was just at a boat show a month or so ago and saw a new set of underwater lights that required a 4 inch hole through the hull., and that's 4" per light installed.
I don't expect sales of that particular model to do well.
But N4712 is right that generally they are small holes.
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03-19-2015, 01:41 PM
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#9
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Senior Member


City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vessel Model: I have keys to lots of boats...
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 438
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Twenty years ago I was captain on a private yacht and we had an underwater light. It was extremely rare at the time, there were no LED thru hull lights made then.
Using a five gallon bucket as a mold, a fiberglass shell was made, a round hole was cut in the bottom, and a swimming pool light was installed. The power cord ran up under the swim platform and ran through the transom above the water line. The shell was cut to create the proper angle to the transom and it was glassed to the boat.
Since the most expensive part was the pool light available now at a local pool supply store, I expect to hear about other TF readers report their low cost installation.
__________________
Tucker Fallon CPYB
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03-19-2015, 02:10 PM
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#10
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Guru
City: LI or Fla
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,148
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Other then a general cool factor at the dock not overly practical for a trawler, for fisherman that's a whole different story. I agree with some others, keep the money, you'll need it for other issues on your loop trip for sure.
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03-19-2015, 02:49 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: Pender Harbour, BC
Vessel Name: Gwaii Haanas
Vessel Model: Custom Aluminum 52
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,791
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Couldn't you just mount them under your swim grid? No holes in the hull...
Just use a bright flashlight and you can see underwater just fine so there would not be a glare issue.
__________________
Don't believe everything that you think.
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03-19-2015, 02:53 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: LI or Fla
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,148
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In the Bahamas/Keys/Caribbean lights will at least provide a nice fish attracting show, not so sure that will be the case for most of the loop, but others can weigh in on water clarity.
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03-19-2015, 04:08 PM
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#13
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Guru
City: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,438
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They are great in clear water. Especially if you have kids on board. They will spend hours on the swim platform watching and catching what comes to the lights. Of course many adults will too.
But in dirty water, waste of money IMO.
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03-19-2015, 05:28 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 12,672
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In Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, traditional cruise boats entertain passengers at night by attracting squid to catch with a waterproof light on a cord dropped overboard. Worked well. I`d say the reason for fitting lights is aesthetics, not practicality.
(Footnote: Do NOT swim in Ha Long Bay. A beautiful place, but the many tourist boats do not have holding tanks, combine that with delicious spicy Thai food and ....)
__________________
BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
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03-19-2015, 05:53 PM
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#15
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Guru
City: Here
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,937
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I had blue lights under the dash of my 56' chevy .... I grew out of that stuff by the time I was nineteen.
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03-19-2015, 08:57 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
City: Everett, Wa
Vessel Name: The 6-Pack
Vessel Model: 1974 Custom Aluminum Pilothouse
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 205
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Underwater lights on a Grand Banks?
My kids play for hours with a flashlight. I want to join the fun and have my own large flashlight😃
They are awesome and I say do it asap
Who cares what the next hypothetical person buying the boat will want! Enjoy it when you have it...
__________________
Jeff & Michelle
The 6-Pack
1974 Custom Aluminum Pilothouse
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03-19-2015, 09:06 PM
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#17
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Guru
City: Miami Florida
Vessel Name: Possum
Vessel Model: Ellis 28
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,154
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Walking down the dock in Bimini when every boat on the dock had their lights on was stunning. I say go for it.
__________________
Parks Masterson
Retired from Hopkins-Carter Marine Supply
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03-19-2015, 09:26 PM
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#18
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Veteran Member
City: Morehead City, NC
Vessel Name: Grande Jete`
Vessel Model: 1990 Grand Banks 46 Classic
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 36
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I put four blue LED lights on my trim tabs. Two per side. Used the relatively cheap ones, and only one small hole for wires above water line, so no issues there. Had two sets of the Perko underwater lights to fail. Don't waste time with them. The blue LEDs look nice in clear water, otherwise, don't bother.
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03-19-2015, 10:00 PM
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#19
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Guru
City: Hotel, CA
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 8,323
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seaisleman
I put four blue LED lights on my trim tabs. Two per side. Used the relatively cheap ones, and only one small hole for wires above water line, so no issues there. Had two sets of the Perko underwater lights to fail. Don't waste time with them. The blue LEDs look nice in clear water, otherwise, don't bother.
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You wouldn't happen to have any pictures of the install would you?
__________________
Craig
It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they've been fooled - Mark Twain
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03-19-2015, 10:40 PM
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#20
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Veteran Member
City: Morehead City, NC
Vessel Name: Grande Jete`
Vessel Model: 1990 Grand Banks 46 Classic
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 36
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I may have some of the lights when it was on the hard. I will try to find them for you. Give me a day or so, I am in the Keys.
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