Bass Boat Forums

Bass Boat Mods => Custom Lighting => Topic started by: Mitz on March 17, 2015, 02:12:58 PM

Title: Bow LED
Post by: Mitz on March 17, 2015, 02:12:58 PM
@Bullet3119 Do the Bow LED lights pass boating regulations?
So I could get rid of the stick light that my trolling motor keeps destroying and just use the power and toggle switch from the console to power them?

-Mitz
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 17, 2015, 02:32:18 PM
They meet all of the requirements, but they aren't "coast guard approved". Nobody that runs bluewater nav lights have had any issues with water patrol. I don't know of anyone running the little pole light with Bluewaters also.
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Mitz on March 18, 2015, 08:27:55 AM
Thanks! Once I get the boat uncovered and take a look at the project Ill be getting in touch.

Mitz
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Treeman12 on March 18, 2015, 08:36:55 AM
They meet all of the requirements, but they aren't "coast guard approved". Nobody that runs bluewater nav lights have had any issues with water patrol. I don't know of anyone running the little pole light with Bluewaters also.

@Bullet3119    Hey Calvin, how long are the BW Nav lights, is it a kit... and what do they cost?
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 18, 2015, 09:49:43 AM
They are 10" strips. The kit comes with a red and green strip and t-tap connectors to tap into your existing pole light. I DO NOT recommend using the t-taps, jut cut your wires and make a solid connection. Regular price is $32.99 plus $5 shipping. For premium members here they are $30 shipping included.
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Jimmy RodandReel on March 18, 2015, 09:50:05 AM
here's a pic of mine.  (y)

Coast Guard Approval is NOT needed for bow and stern lighting.
 I have a CC station right here at my local ramp and I have talked with the Commander a few time about this very subject. 
  The CC DOES NOT care about what brand or type of light a person uses for bow and stern lighting as long as it meets any and all CC requirements and boating regulations for your size vessel.
Let give you an example.  If you loose your pole light and run down to you local wal-he** or local marine dealer and buy a new light. Look on the package.......You WILL NOT see "Coast Guard Approved" anywhere on the packaging.
  Some lighting companies are using a "paperwork approval" as a selling point to justify their high prices.
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 18, 2015, 09:57:01 AM
Well said Jimmy, and that is exactly right.
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Curt on March 18, 2015, 10:56:57 AM
here's a pic of mine.  (y)


Awesome pic @Jimmy RodandReel  (y)

Those lights are simply stuck on with adhesive, correct? And if I remember correctly, a small (1/8 inich) hole needs to be drilled to run the wire through?
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Jimmy RodandReel on March 18, 2015, 11:00:25 AM
On my model boat that's all you can do, peel and stick because I have no rub rail. And yes one small 1/8in hole to run the wires
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Curt on March 18, 2015, 11:08:52 AM
On my model boat that's all you can do, peel and stick because I have no rub rail. And yes one small 1/8in hole to run the wires

I just checked my boat and I actually do have a rub rail all the way to the bow.

So I guess I would have to cut my rub rail? @Bullet3119 How would this work if I have a rub rail?  (dk)
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: ranger361v on March 18, 2015, 11:13:34 AM
(popcorn)     we need a popcorn emoti.
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 18, 2015, 11:15:40 AM
(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1136.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn496%2Fbullet3119%2F20140917_170847.jpg&hash=b74b7c72196c973c46dc8b13ded53cc30eb92cb3) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/bullet3119/media/20140917_170847.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 18, 2015, 11:16:58 AM
(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1136.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn496%2Fbullet3119%2FIMG_20130909_094720.jpg&hash=6b44eb153ae004b4243073e98cf72fca0dbf7e93) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/bullet3119/media/IMG_20130909_094720.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 18, 2015, 11:17:49 AM
(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1136.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn496%2Fbullet3119%2F20140212_165318.jpg&hash=543451ee42e2def8e594279db51b8c13cafcf3a1) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/bullet3119/media/20140212_165318.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Curt on March 18, 2015, 11:25:51 AM
(popcorn)     we need a popcorn emoti.

OK. Popcorn added! But now that it's been added, what's the whole popcorn thing all about?  (dk)
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Curt on March 18, 2015, 11:28:17 AM
@Bullet3119 Thanks for the pics. The rub rail on my boat feels pretty hard, not rubbery or soft to the touch. If I push on it, it doesn't give.

How would I go about cutting that in a way that wouldn't destroy it?
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 18, 2015, 11:33:08 AM
Popcorn means you are watching the thread..or interested in what's to come. Can you send me a pic of your rubrail Curt?
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Jimmy RodandReel on March 18, 2015, 08:58:00 PM
(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1183.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fx465%2FFishface1911%2Fpopcorn-1.gif&hash=9fea5ffabb94b30ea17c1ea024dfb60fc211bbe9) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/Fishface1911/media/popcorn-1.gif.html)
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Curt on March 18, 2015, 09:01:50 PM
@Bullet3119 Here you go!

(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbassfishingphotos.com%2Fimages%2F1%2F171%2F00000005.jpg&hash=b42d3e989a485c214e334db43a95316075fb3b06)
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 18, 2015, 09:10:47 PM
@Curt honestly, on that style boat putting them in the rubrail probably isn't the best option. The rubrails on aluminum boats have no way of keeping the insert in after you cut it. On aluminum boats we usually install them above or below the rail.
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 18, 2015, 09:12:33 PM
(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1136.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn496%2Fbullet3119%2F20130706_171506.jpg&hash=4139fb455c2b3eb03c0793d65dfb17e369538a01) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/bullet3119/media/20130706_171506.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 18, 2015, 09:15:39 PM
(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1136.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn496%2Fbullet3119%2F20150203_075742_1.jpg&hash=349135c4b3f60d1b20f180049022a626b3515308) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/bullet3119/media/20150203_075742_1.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 18, 2015, 09:18:58 PM
(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1136.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn496%2Fbullet3119%2F20150203_075549_1.jpg&hash=48ac8e52dfb068abe37a8956b39aa6aae8fb65f8) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/bullet3119/media/20150203_075549_1.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: ranger361v on March 18, 2015, 10:17:12 PM
(popcorn)     we need a popcorn emoti.

Ask and ye shall receive....      thank you. (pcd)
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: ranger361v on March 18, 2015, 10:21:37 PM
(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1183.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fx465%2FFishface1911%2Fpopcorn-1.gif&hash=9fea5ffabb94b30ea17c1ea024dfb60fc211bbe9) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/Fishface1911/media/popcorn-1.gif.html)

I like Jimmy's.    She could be BOTD
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Curt on March 18, 2015, 10:26:24 PM
So is it impossible to cut into the rub rail on a boat like mine, or is it just difficult to do?

Ans what's the difference between my boat's rub rail and those on a glass boat?
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 19, 2015, 06:49:23 AM
I'm not sure it's impossible, and cutting it isn't the difficult part. The thing that concerns me about it, is the rubber staying locked in after you cut it. On those boats they put a screw in one end of the insert, wrwp it around the boat, and screw the other end. There isn't much of a lip on the back to hold it in place. Also I don't know if the cavity behind the insert is deep enough for the lights to fit behind it. A glass boat has a bigger rubber rubrail that screws all the way around the boat, and has a center insert that locks into it.
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Curt on March 19, 2015, 07:50:16 AM
OK. Thanks @Bullet3119. Appreciate the input from an experienced point of view.

I'll most likely just mount the lights under the rub rail when I do the bow kit  :D
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 19, 2015, 08:31:54 AM
No problem.  I just don't want to see you run into issues if you cut that rubber.
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Jimmy RodandReel on March 19, 2015, 08:47:19 AM
......... is the rubber staying locked in after you cut it. On those boats they put a screw in one end of the insert, wrap it around the boat, and screw the other end.

We ran into this same problem when we looked at installing my Black lights.  (yes)
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Curt on March 19, 2015, 09:52:19 AM
@Bullet3119 Here you go!

(https://www.bassboatboards.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbassfishingphotos.com%2Fimages%2F1%2F171%2F00000005.jpg&hash=b42d3e989a485c214e334db43a95316075fb3b06)

Now that I'm looking at the bow of my boat, I'm wondering if I even have enough space to mount the light strips  (dk)
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 19, 2015, 10:56:05 AM
You need 1/4"
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Curt on March 19, 2015, 11:01:58 AM
OK. Thanks @Bullet3119  (y)

I didn't know that there were different sizes available. That's]/i] why you're the lighting expert  (yes)
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Bullet3119 on March 19, 2015, 11:46:53 AM
@Curt you need 1/4" of surface for the light is what I meant.
Title: Re: Bow LED
Post by: Curt on March 19, 2015, 01:21:00 PM
@Curt you need 1/4" of surface for the light is what I meant.

OK. Thanks for clarifying!
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