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Cabin Lights

The alpenglow fluorescent is still a top-flight area light, and a good bet for a dome-light retrofit. taylorbrites's new cold cathode lamp is a winner over the bunk, but new led lights from imtra and d.r. smith are bright, not too cold, and easy on the power..

sailboat cabin light bulb

Among all the energy demands aboard a modern boat—electronics, pressure-water systems, watermakers, autopilots, refrigeration, and so on—it’s simple DC cabin lighting that’s often the largest factor in overwhelming the storage batteries. Turn on three measly 20-watt incandescent lamps and leave them on from dusk until bed time—say, four hours —and you’ll take 20 amp hours out of your system (3 x 20 watts = 60 watts; 60 watts / 12 volts = 5 amps; 5 amps x 4 hours = 20 amp hours.) That’s comparable to running an anchor windlass, under a working load of 40 amps, continuously for half an hour. The same is true at home, of course, where parents since the days of Edison have adjured their kids to turn the lights off when they leave a room. The difference is that on shore we notice the carelessness when the bill comes. On boats, we notice when the house battery dies. If the battery switch has been left on “Both,” or there’s only one battery for all duties, including engine-starting, that carelessness can spoil your day.

Cabin Lights

The power demands of lights are so important aboard boats that for this article we initially intended to cut to the chase and review only LED-based cabin lights. We had in mind a scenario in which a boat owner wanted to use LEDs to replace reading lights in the forward and main cabins, and dome lights in the main cabin and galley. We think of dome lights as spreading a wide angle of illumination, and bulkhead reading lights as more directional, although these, too, are often used for general illumination, and aren’t as strictly directional as a chart light in the nav station.

Would such a wholesale move be possible for both area and spot lighting? Yes. Would it be advisable? Not yet. In any case, LED lights really need to be compared directly with the other types of lights on the market, especially since most of the makers and purveyors of LEDs tell us that the technology is changing rapidly and markedly, and that what might be a decent cabin light now will be much better, and cost less, in a matter of months. So we decided to expand our scope and survey a wide sampling of cabin lights on the market, including LEDs.

Light Terminology Some basic concepts and definitions are in order, so that we can make reasonable comparisons.

A lumen is the measurement unit for luminous flux, the quantity of lamplight cast in all directions.

A lux is the measurement unit for illuminance, the quantity or density of light cast on a surface. One lux equals one lumen per square meter. (Illuminance can also be expressed in foot-candles, which measure light on a square foot of surface, but the foot-candle measurement is becoming obsolete.)

These definitions are intertwined with those of candelas, luminance, luminous intensity, and several more that help people get a grip on artificial light. For the purposes of this article, we’ll be speaking in terms of lumens, and measuring in lux units.

Of particular concern is the relationship of lumens and watts. For example, a 60-watt incandescent household light bulb rated at 840 lumens produces 14 lumens per watt. On a boat, a 10-watt xenon bulb might typically perform about the same, while a fluorescent bulb would produce a much higher ratio of lumens per watt.

The apparent “warmth” of a lamp’s color can be expressed through its color temperature in degrees Kelvin (K). The lower the color temperature, the warmer-looking the glow of the light. A candle flame has a color temperature of about 1800K. Sunlight at dawn or dusk is around 2000K. A 100-watt standard incandescent (tungsten) lamp is about 2800K. A standard “warm white” fluorescent would be about 3000-3300K. Direct sunlight at noontime is around 5000-6000K, and “daylight” fluorescents are in that range or somewhat cooler. And so on—up to the high numbers represented by various levels of sun/cloud combinations and cool blue northern skies.

Color temperature can be metered and measured, but we found it easy enough to eyeball the lights for any remarkable warmth or coolness. Those remarks are in the chart on pages 30-31.

Light Types—Pros and Cons We’ll make the assumption that all of us are seeking pretty much the same ideals in cabin lights aboard sailboats: 1. They should provide a large number of lumens per watt. 2. The light they cast should be warm and welcoming. 3. They should produce little heat. (There are, of course, people who sail in colder weather who often prefer a bit of extra heat when they can get it.) 4. They shouldn’t cost much. 5. They should last a long time.

Obviously, no single light type can offer all of these things. So there are trade-offs to consider.

LEDs are narrow-beamed and directional. They don’t spread light, so if you want to use them as area lights, you have to arrange them in a cluster so that individual LEDs shine outward in a pattern. LEDs deliver long life (forever, for most practical purposes), hardiness (no fragile glass or filaments to break), very low power consumption per diode, and low heat per diode. On the downside, they’re still quite expensive, and while red LEDs are good as night-vision lights in the nav station and cockpit, white LEDs emit a cool, bluish light, which few would say makes for pleasant company. Individual LEDs vary in quality, and are culled and graded by manufacturers before they leave the factory.

If this sounds like faint praise, it isn’t. The long lifespans of LEDs eventually justify their cost. They’re extremely versatile and hardy, and with the technology developing almost hour-by-hour, they’re becoming both warmer and less expensive (see this month’s PS Advisor).

Fluorescent bulbs come in several varieties, such as standard, compact, and cold cathode. Color temperatures vary from about 2700K all the way to 5000K and above, depending on whether the tubes are standard, “warm-white,” “daylight,” and so on. The advantages of fluorescent bulbs are long life, excellent lumens-to-watt ratio, low heat, and reasonable cost. The downside of the typical fluorescent lamp is a color temperature that’s too blue and cool; however, some fluorescents are quite warm, as we shall see. Also, all fluorescents run on AC power, which means that they must be adapted to DC power systems by means of a built-in inverter. Sometimes this can cause radio frequency interference, so be careful if you mount a fluorescent light near sensitive electronics and communications equipment.

Cabin Lights

]Incandescent lights of the familiar tungsten-filament variety cost less than any other type, and offer a warm glow. Bulbs are readily available. The downsides are that they burn out relatively quickly, offer the lowest lumens-per-watt ratio, and produce heat. Interestingly, it’s getting harder to find standard incandescent bulb lamps in marine stores these days. (Replacement bulbs are available, but new lamps are scarcer.) Most light makers are now going with halogen and xenon bulbs.

Halogen and xenon bulbs are closely related to the standard incandescent. The difference is that the inert gas inside the bulb contains halogen, which helps return tungsten particles to the filament, slowing the burn-out process as well as enabling the filament to be heated to a brighter temperature without. In order for the process to work, the bulb has to be very hot. This, in turn, means that the bulb needs to be made of thick, heat-resistant glass or a quartz-based crystal.

Some bulbs contain high-quality xenon as the inert gas. This enables a more efficient process of returning tungsten to the filament, increasing brightness and bulb life still further.

Aside from cost, the downside to all this is—you guessed it—more heat, which can not only make it uncomfortable for people inside the boat in warm weather, but cause fire if a light is thoughtlessly installed. Nils Nelson of D.R. Smith & Associates told us some hair-raising stories of people who insisted on installing high-wattage halogens in non-fire-resistant headliners and other areas where their heat couldn’t be dissipated properly. “Just because a fixture will accept a higher-wattage bulb doesn’t mean you should install one,” he cautioned.

Even so, halogen bulbs are an excellent balance of cost with effective light. They typically show a whiter, higher color temperature than standard incandescents; about 3200K versus 2800K. This can be harsh in some situations, but makes great task lighting. And they have a good lumens-per-watt ratio of about 15.

Decisions, Decisions As standard-issue sailors, not experts in lights and lighting, we admit being a bit flummoxed by the prodigious amount of science involved in the study of light—its color, intensity, warmth, concentration, etc.—as well as by the large number of artificial lighting products available for boats, and the variations and overlapping characteristics of many of them. Add to that the fact that several of the light makers and light experts we talked to are in disagreement over the finer points of both science and light engineering, and it was difficult to figure out how to bite off a digestible amount for this article. When we were griping to our friend the shellfisherman about the vastness of this topic, he said: “Hey, people don’t need to know all that. What they need to know is, when you’re down in the cabin, trying to make some time with your honey, do you light the oil lamp and turn it down low—or flip on the halogen?”

The man, of course, is entirely correct. It’s not so difficult to define what kind of light serves what purpose best. Consider what Al Johnstone of J/Boats had to say when we asked what kind of lights his company preferred in different locations aboard: “In general, we use halogen lighting in main cabin areas for reading lights and red/white domes, and fluorescent fixtures in head areas. Ninety-eight percent of the lights are sourced from Imtra (Cantalupi) and Hella Marine (including domes and nav lights). On a boat like the J/105 we’ll use very simple plastic-finished self-contained halogen lights, whereas on the J/42, J/46 and J/160, we’ll go for a complete dimmer system for ambient lighting in the main salon and galley areas, in addition to chrome-finished self-contained reading lights. We occasionally will still use incandescent lighting, depending on the application and available fixtures/style. We continue to watch with interest the developments in LED lighting, due to the low energy requirements. We have little experience yet with xenon fixtures.”

These views would be typical, we think, of many sailors—we lean toward warmer lights for area lighting, and fluorescent for galley, head, and engine-room areas. When we can substitute LEDs without sacrificing too much warmth or dramatically increasing cost, we will.

And so it remained for us to gather the sampling and try to find lights that we’d actually like to buy. The only way to get to the bottom of that essential question was to line ’em up and shine ’em. The results of our explorations are shown in the big chart on the preceding pages.

What and How We Tested We went shopping at West Marine and ordered a pretty fair sampling of what’s on their shelves. We also solicited lights from several of the big light purveyors and talked to experts about the state of the art in DC cabin lighting.

Generally, the lights we evaluated were in two categories—overhead dome-type lights with wide light spread for area illumination, and bulkhead-mounted reading lights. Also included are a few LED lights that could go either way, and LED replacement clusters for incandescent bulbs.

Cabin Lights

We powered the lights with a 12-volt power supply, dimmed the office to an ambient light of two lux, and turned on the lights one by one. We measured the spread of each light from 12″ away, and took photos for comparison. We took a multitude of light meter readings for each light from different angles and distances, using a Meterman LM631. Then, because handheld light meter readings can fluctuate so much, we took into account the spread of readings, did some averaging, added some Kentucky windage, and came up with the rather simple ratings shown on the chart—Dim, Low, Medium, Bright, and Intense.

To measure heat produced by the lights, we used a Raytek Mini-Temp infrared temperature sensor to report the surface temperature of a piece of brown particle board held 6″ from the front of the lens for 10 minutes. (In each case, the ambient office temperature was kept at 75°.)

We measured current draw using a Radio Shack digital multimeter.

Over the course of about six weeks, we spent quality time with each light in an otherwise darkened space, reading and contemplating the mysteries of the universe.

The results of all the measurements, along with ratings and subjective comments, also appear in that mammoth chart.

Noted in Particular The Alpenglow compact fluorescent light has received words of praise several times in this publication over the years, and we see no reason to stop now. The fixture is trimmed in attractive wood; the light is warm and adjustable in four levels (two for the red LED light, two for the white fluorescent), and the light it casts will pleasantly fill the typical saloon aboard a big variety of boats. And, we think it’s fairly priced (see chart).

The cold-cathode fluorescent lights from Taylorbrite (Taylor Made Products) deserve a very positive mention. We looked at the self-contained bulkhead-mounted reading light and were impressed by its design and the warm, even light it cast. It’s expensive, and you would have to replace the whole fixture—but it should have a very long lifespan. Consider these if you’re thinking of replacing reading lights in the master cabin.

Among the incandescent dome lights, we’d buy the mahogany-based West/ABI 20-watt xenon model 260786, and put it on a dimmer, or the Imtra/Cantalupi halogen “Chip.” For an incandescent bulkhead light, we’d go with the Catalupi “Patty” model.

As for LED lights, in our view they’re still a bit too cool-colored and directional to be used where a warm mood is a must, but if you can use a coolish, medium-widespread LED for reading in the bunk, Daniel R. Smith’s “Little Inagua” would be a good bet. Another strong contender for that job would be Imtra’s F1 “warm white” cluster, which at this writing is just going to market. The former is more of an whole-bunk light, the latter more for directing right at a book. Imtra’s Touch LED would do very well on its gooseneck over a nav table.

Other Considerations Lamp shades, lens types, and interior reflectors can make a big difference in the intensity, spread, and color warmth of any light. So can the depth of the bulb in the socket, and the color and reflectivity of the surrounding areas. Light will behave differently on a white Formica surface than it will on mahogany—and differently on the mahogany, depending on whether the wood is varnished in a glossy or matte finish. Dimmer is often better than brighter, and narrow better than wide.

Filament-based cabin lights can be adjusted for both light output and power demand with dimmers, which can be a simple rheostat type (an energy-waster and heat-producer) or a more sophisticated dimmer such as that made by Reddford Technology ( www.reddford.com ), reviewed in the January 1, 2000 issue of PS.

Also With This Article “Value Guide: Cabin Lights”

Contacts • ABI, 800/422-1301, www.abimarine.com • Alpenglow, 406/889-3586, www.alpenglowlights.com • Aqua-Signal, 011 49 421 4893-224-205, www.aquasignal.de • Daniel R. Smith & Assoc., 561/842-5704, www.drsa.com • Deep Creek Design, 615/646-2532, www.deepcreekdesign.com • Gator Lights, 941/355-4488, www.interconmktg.com • Guest, 800/767-8541, www.marinco2.com • Hella Marine, 770/631-7500, www.hellamarine.com • Imtra (Cantalupi), 508/995-7000, www.imtra.com • Lumileds, 877/298-9455, www.lumileds.com • Perko, 305/621-7525, www.perko.com • Reddford Technology, 208/666-1955, www.reddford.com • Sailor’s Solutions, 631/754-1945, www.sailorssolutions.com • Taylorbrite (Taylor Made), 941/708-0940, www.taylorbrite.com • Thin-Lite, 805/987-5021, www.thinlite.com • Weems & Plath, 410/263.6700, www.weemsandplath.com • West Marine, 800/262-8464, www.westmarine.com

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Several years ago I installed a small aux instrument panel in my Freedom 30 sloop. Among other things I mounted an Iridium Go on the panel. To power the Go I installed a bank of four USB outlets figuring I could use the extra three outlets for various sundry charging tasks. One of the outlets was dedicated to the Go. Boy, was that a good decision! I use all the outlets plus an additional three installed in a lighter socket at the main electrical panel.

The USB outlets power my tablet, my burner phone which I use as a mini plotter, calculator, satphone (via the Go) and for various sundry apps, my bluetooth speaker and on and on.

So what has this got to do with lights? Well, about two years ago I purchased a usb rechargeable lantern for my house. When I replaced my headliner in the boat I included some overhead handholds. In doing so I inadvertently covered my man cabin dome light location. I was proudly admiring my headliner handiwork when suddenly “where the hell is the cabin light?” oops. Anyway, being a sailor, I went up to the house and grabbed that rechargeable lantern to use as a main cabin light until I could figure out what to do for a permanent solution. I fell in love with the lantern. Threw plenty of light fit well nestled up into the main cabin hatch alcove and every now and then I could easily recharge with at my trusty USB outlets. The lamps sip power. I mean they sip little tiny drops of power and they don’t sip very often. I recharge maybe once a month and even less if you dim them (yes, they dim too). I mean it is a sweet lighting solution.

So when I got tired of looking at my old badly corroded bronze finish reading lamps in the fwd and main cabins I decided to look for rechargeable units vs a wired solution. Turns out I was able to find very compact, very inexpensive and , I think, very attractive rechargeable lamps on Amazon. Bought four of them and relaxed all of those gnarley brass lamps. While I was at it I removed the 30 year old 12 volt wiring so that hazard is gone as well…win win. The ones I bought are infinitely adjustable using a magnet ball and socket set up so care must be taken to stay away from compass and AP sensors. But, other than that, these things are the bomb.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PZS5C3C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Turns out those USB ports have come in mighty handy. Have sailed 10,000 mik=les with them aboard through some pretty nasty conditions and they still look and function beautifully. None of these items are fit for the weather deck but they have been terrific below decks and I would highly recommend you consider these type of lamps when you change out you lighting.

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Boat Cabin Lights

Is it dark belowdecks? Why not shed a little light on the subject? (You knew that one was coming). Great Lakes Skipper has amazing discount prices on top quality marine cabin lighting. Whether you're looking for boat wall lamps with shades and swing arm mounts, cabin reading lights, or sleek cockpit lighting, boat dome lights, or utility lights, we have what you need. We carry festive rope lights, brilliant LED lighting kits, boat cabin wall sconces, and push lights. Many of our marine cabin lights are suitable for 12V systems like a solar off-grid cabin, RV, or tiny house. Our inventory of thousands of new and replacement marine boat parts features quality cabin lighting components by Perko, Attwood, Luminaire, Maxxima, TH Marine, Vista Manufacturing, and more famous makers. You'll love our prices and our service, so shop online or give us a call.

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Boat Cabin Lights

Sea Dog Marine Chrome Led Dome Light 6''

Sea Dog Chrome Led Dome Light 6''

Sea Dog LED Dome Light 6" LED Dome Lights have very low current consumption at .068 amps at 12 volts and have extreme long life. LED Dome Lights give off very low heat and are resistant to vibration. LED Dome Lights have 18 white LED’s per light.

Sea Dog LED Stainless Steel Day - Night 12 Volt Dome Light

Sea Dog LED Stainless Steel Day - Night 12 Volt Dome Light

Sea Dog LED Stainless Steel Day - Night 12 Volt Dome Light Sea Dog LED Day/Night Dome Lights have very low current consumption at .068 amps at 12 volts and have an extremely long life. These lights give off very low heat and are resistant to vibration...

Sea Dog Marine S.S. Dome Light With Switch

Sea Dog S.S. Dome Light With Switch

Sea Dog Stainless Steel Dome Light With Switch This Sea Dog Stainless Steel Dome Light is a great addition to any marine vessel. It is constructed of corrosion-resistant stamped 304 stainless steel and is supplied with a 18.4 watt DC double contact...

Sea Dog Brass Berth Light

Sea Dog Brass Boat Berth Light

Sea Dog Brass Boat Berth Light Sea Dog Brass Boat Berth Light are interior lights that look good in any boat. Made of solid stamped brass and coated in lacquer to prevent it from tarnishing. The interior is painted with white enamel to help reflect more...

4-LED Bunk Light

Innovative Lighting 4-LED Boat Bunk Light

Innovative Lighting 4-LED Boat Bunk Light Innovative Lighting brings their 4-LED Boat Bunk Light that is small and convenient. Operating on a 12 volt DC system the product is rated for operating for 50,000 Hours of Service. Made for interior use only...

Sea Dog LED Cabin/Reading Light

Sea Dog LED Cabin/Reading Light

Sea Dog LED Cabin/Reading Light This Sea Dog LED Cabin/Reading Light will provide exceptional satisfaction for any buyer. With an adjustable light angle and plastic silver finish, this cabin/reading light offers extreme flexibility and can be used...

Perko Interior Or Exterior Surface Mount Dome Light

Perko Interior Or Exterior Surface Mount Dome Light

Interior or exterior dome light with Perko- Kote finish. Double contact bayonet socket. Black vinyl gasket. Push switch with water resistant boot. 12 volt bulb included.

Sea Dog LED Low Profile Task Light

Sea Dog LED Low Profile Task Light

Sea Dog LED Low Profile Task Light Stainless Steel Dimensions: OD: 3 3/8" Lens Diameter: 2 5/8" 9/32" Deep

Sea Dog Marine Halogen Reading Light

Sea Dog Halogen Reading Light

Sea Dog Halogen Reading Light Sea Dog Halogen Reading Light looks good on any boat. Comes with a 2" reflector, clear glass lens, and a 10 watt MR-16 halogen bulb. Product Features: 10 Watt MR-16 Halogen Bulb 2" reflector Clear Glass Lens

Gen3 Marine LED Accessory Light

Gen3 Marine LED Accessory Light

Gen3 Marine LED Accessory Light w/ Black Aluminum Housing The Gen3 Marine LED Accessory Light is the perfect option for boaters looking to add extra lighting to their vessel. With its 1-pod design, the LED light can be mounted virtually anywhere,...

Hella Marine Polished Stainless Steel Rim LED Courtesy Lamp - Blue

Hella Marine LED Courtesy Lamp

Polished Stainless Steel Rim LED Courtesy Lamp - Blue Attractive, energy efficient lighting for interior and exterior use. Hella Marine round LED courtesy lamps can be installed almost anywhere on board. Over 3 x brighter than regular Soft Light White...

Sea Dog Mini LED Dome Light

Sea Dog Mini LED Dome Light

Sea Dog Mini LED Dome Light The Sea Dog Mini LED Dome Light is a compact, vibration-resistant LED light that's prewired with an on/off toggle switch. With the low current consumption of 0.068 amps @ 12 volts, this light gives off very little heat and...

Lumitec Mirage - Flush Mount Down Light - Glass Finish\/Polished SS Bezel - White Non Dimming

Lumitec Mirage - Flush Mount Down Light - Glass Finish/Polished SS Bezel - Non Dimming

Mirage - Flush Mount Down Light - Glass Finish/Polished Stainless Steel Bezel - White Non-DimmingLumitec's Mirage down lights remain the best performing down light on the market today. Utilizing the most efficient emitters commercially available, Mirage...

Lumitec NevisLT Led Engine Room Light - 1000 Lumens

Lumitec NevisLT Led Engine Room Light - 1000 Lumens

NevisLT LED Engine Room Light - 1000 LumensA high output LED alternative to large, boxy, unreliable fluorescents. With more than 1,000 integrating sphere tested lumens, the NevisLT douses hard to light areas with a 180 degree spread of bright even light...

Whitecap Stainless Steel Dome Light

Whitecap Stainless Steel Dome Light

Whitecap Stainless Steel Dome Light Outfit your boat's cabin with the Whitecap Stainless Steel Dome Light. This light features a stainless steel frame with diffusing glass. The electric socket is designed to take a regular double contact bulb. The...

Lumitec Mirage - Flush Mount Down Light - Glass Finish\/White Bezel - 4-Color White\/Red\/Blue\/Purple Non Dimming

Lumitec Mirage - Flush Mount Down Light - Glass Finish/White Bezel - 4-Color

Mirage - Flush Mount Down Light - Glass Finish/White Bezel - 4-Color White/Red/Blue/Purple Non-DimmingLumitec's Mirage down lights remain the best performing down light on the market today. Utilizing the most efficient emitters commercially available,...

Lumitec Mirage Flush Mount Down Light Spectrum RGBW - Glass Bezel

Lumitec Mirage Flush Down Light Spectrum - Glass Bezel

Mirage Flush Mount Down Light Spectrum RGBW - Glass BezelLumitec's Mirage down lights remain the best-performing down light on the market today. Utilizing the most efficient emitters commercially available, Mirage boasts incredible output and a profile...

Lumitec Aurora LED Dome Light - White Finish - White\/Blue Dimming

Lumitec Aurora LED Dome Light - White/Blue Dimming

Aurora LED Dome Light - White Finish - White/Blue DimmingCustomers told us they wanted a high quality LED replacement for the ubiquitous dome light. It had to be bright, with wide even light. They wanted a clean look, an intuitive and reliable switch,...

Lumitec TouchDome - Dome Light - Polished SS Finish - 2-Color White\/Blue Dimming

Lumitec Touch Dome Light - Polished SS Finish - 2-Color Blue Dimming

Lumitec TouchDome - Dome Light - Polished Stainless Steel Finish - 2-Color White/Blue DimmingBrilliantly designed. That is what you will think when you use Lumitec's innovative Touch Dome. Of course the light is completely sealed and has no o-rings,...

Lumitec Mirage Flush Mount Down Light Spectrum RGBW - White Housing

Lumitec Mirage Flush Down Light Spectrum - White Housing

Mirage Flush Mount Down Light Spectrum RGBW - White HousingLumitec's Mirage down lights remain the best-performing down light on the market today. Utilizing the most efficient emitters commercially available, Mirage boasts incredible output and a...

Boat Cabin Lights: Safety in the Dark

Having adequate boat cabin lighting can help ensure you can enjoy your boat both day and night. Boat cabin lights serve to provide extra lighting in cabin and galley areas. Wholesale Marine carries a wide variety of boat cabin top from brands like  Lumitec ,  Shadow Caster , and Sea Dog .

Wholesale Marine has marine cabin lights that are perfect for any setup or situation. From dome lights, berth lights, to LED strip lights we have your lighting issues covered. Wholesale Marine carries high quality boat cabin lights that are built tough to stand up in marine environments.

Boat cabin lights come in a variety of styles from dome lights to flexible lighting fixtures. Marine cabin lights are easy to install and integrate into your existing power network. Depending on the style you choose you can network the lights to a switch or utilize the built in toggle switch.

For interior boat cabin lighting that provides flexibility, try the  Sea Dog LED Cabin/Reading Light . Its adjustable light angle allows for use almost anywhere in your cabin. The bright white led light has a warm hue to not be too harsh on the eyes. Easy to install and putting out 150 Lumens on a low power draw, this light is a top choice!

For a more low-profile light, we recommend the Sea Dog LED courtesy light . This dome light puts out low heat and is easy to install. Featuring white & red LEDs for an efficient bright interior lighting solution. Constructed of durable 304 stainless steel this cabin light is built to last in marine environments.

Lumitec offers a wide variety of flush boat cabin lights. The Mirage Flush Down light offers a surface mount marine cabin light wrapped in stylish polished bezel. Featuring a full RGBW color spectrum lets you choose from a white output or any color on the rainbow. Utilizing colored light allows you to save your dark vision in low light settings.

Lumitec Mirage Flush Down Cabin Light

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My Sailing Fix

My Sailing Fix

sailboat cabin light bulb

LED Lightbulb Conversions

When I bought Priorities in 2011, her previous owner had done a good job making upgrades to her systems. One upgrade was a partial conversion to LED light bulbs in the cabin. LED lights can save considerable amounts of power, especially important on a sailboat using battery power when anchored overnight.

Unfortunately, the choices available for LED light bulbs during the previous owner’s tenure were very limited. The main cabin LEDs were a nasty bluish white that left the cabin feeling cold and dark even when they were all illuminated. I wanted better, more modern alternatives.

During the course of a season, I ended up replacing all the cabin lights, nav lights, and the anchor light with LED bulbs. I didn’t even need to replace any fixtures… I found LED bulbs to fit each fixture. Simply replacing the bulbs, rather than entire fixtures, saved a bunch of time and money.

Many of the bulbs I used are made by  Dr. LED , and available for purchase at many online chandleries. I’ve also had excellent luck with Marinebeam’s online store.

LED bulb installed in downlight fixture

Due to their significant advantages in efficiency, we use fewer amp hours for lighting despite using much more lighting now. As an example, with all the main cabin and galley lights on, we only use 2.4 Amps of power now with LEDs compared to 9.2 Amps with incandescents before. Fewer amp hours consumed means less that need to be recharged back into the batteries via solar or diesel power, and less overall wear on the batteries, too.

The color of the new lights are much better, also. The tint of LEDs are typically given as a color temperature in degrees Kelvin. Incandescents are frequently in the 2800K range, where “warm white” has a slight yellowish tint. My nasty old bluish LEDs were around 3500K. The newer LED bulbs that I’ve found are right around 3000K, which is barely “whiter” than an incandescent. 3000K is a vast improvement, though, and really brings out the warm colors of the interior brightwork. This helps uplift the crew’s mood, especially on those evenings when it’s cold and rainy outside.

Priorities is a Catalina 400 Mark I built in 1995. Other Catalina owners with boats of the same vintage may recognize some of the fixtures in these photos, and hopefully can realize some of the energy savings I did.

LED bulbs installed in eyeball light fixture

I still haven’t replaced the cabin “sheer lights” yet. Most are burned out, so it needs to be done. Amazon has a selection of LED light strips, though I’m worried they’ll either be too bright or an undesired color temperature. Feel free to comment below if you find an attractive replacement!

sailboat cabin light bulb

Another highly valuable LED conversion is the anchor light. Since an anchor light is required to be displayed all night when anchoring almost everywhere, its power consumption adds up to a bunch of amp hours.

I added a light to the masthead Windex by converting the Davis Light Kit  to an  LED (it’s now available with an LED directly from Davis) . To power the new light, I had to run an additional wire in the mast conduit alongside the VHF and anchor light cables. It’s a single, red, positive wire that connects to the “Running Lights” circuit. It shares a ground wire with the anchor light.

I’ve noticed some other boats have lighted Windexes (Windices?) whose bulbs are visible to other boats. This can look like a steaming light, leading to confusion about right-of-way at night. To minimize this, I wrapped the bulb in electrical tape, then secured the tape with a cable tie… now the light only points straight up at the reflective components of the Windex.

sailboat cabin light bulb

The running lights (I also call them “position” lights or “nav” lights) were upgraded to LED bulbs, too. Since my boat has separate side lights on each side of the bow, power consumption with incandescents was a whopping 5 Amps (50 Amp-hours for a 10 hour overnight passage!). With LEDs, it’s a tiny 0.4 Amps, or 4 Amp-hours a night, even including both compass lights and the LED lighted windex.

sailboat cabin light bulb

Priorities’  running light fixtures are Aqua Signal 40s. When installing an LED bulb behind a colored lens (such as with running lights), you have to use the specific color LED bulb. A white LED bulb behind a colored lens won’t work properly.

The  Dr. LED bulbs  designed for running lights come with a foil reflector that I had to stick onto the bulb once I figured out the proper orientation. Be sure to do this… it significantly improves the bulbs’ brightness.

The Coast Guard has certification requirements for running lights based on vessel size. Replacing the bulbs can affect this certification, so carefully check the packaging on any bulbs you intend on using to make sure you stay legal. Using “illegal” lights may open an owner up to liability in the event of a nighttime collision with another vessel.

Summary of Exterior Light Part Numbers (see photos for interior lights):

  • Red running: Aqua Signal 40 with  Dr LED 8001764
  • Green running: Aqua Signal 40 with  Dr LED 8001771
  • White stern running: Aqua Signal 40 with  Dr LED 8001757
  • Steaming: not converted to LED
  • Anchor: Perko 200 SWB with Dr LED 8001757
  • Windex: Davis Instruments #3200

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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

A really easy DIY project to cut down on the amp-hours used, along with where to get the bulbs you need.

Changing to LED Bulbs on a Boat

Published on February 10, 2015 ; last updated on January 24, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Older dome lights use a lot of power on a boat, typically drawing just under two amps with a 20 watt bulb.

While not the biggest power hog on Barefoot Gal , we knew that switching them over to LEDs would be a quick and easy project. Very bright LED replacement “bulbs” would draw only 0.23 amps!

I got our replacement bulbs from Cruising Solutions , one of TBG’s sponsors. They have replacement bulbs for virtually every light fixture . I started by removing the old bulb to see exactly what type it was — both what type of base and the wattage. I knew that if anything, we wanted more light in these areas, not less. Since I was a little confused by all the options, I picked out what I thought we wanted, then called and double-checked before ordering.

On Barefoot Gal , the dome lights are in areas where we wanted bright light, so we chose the 23-LED universal matrix for all of them (you can also get them that have both red and white ). Had we wanted softer light, they have smaller arrays that draw even less power ( see all their LED replacements here )!

A quick photo tour of installing them:

Start by turning off the circuit breaker to the light you’re working on. If you’re not the only person aboard, it’s a good idea to put a piece of tape over the breaker with something written on it along the lines of “don’t turn on; work in progress.” I’m usually lazy and just write “NO!” Yeah, I know you shouldn’t have to do this to change a bulb, but I just like to have things off when I’m working on them.

Then remove the trim ring and glass from the light fixture. On most brands of lights, the screws are tiny — stick them in a cup so you don’t lose them!

A really easy DIY project to cut down on the amp-hours used on a boat or RV, along with where to get the bulbs you need. Step by step directions with photos!

If you want to reuse the old halogen bulb (either in a infrequently used light or to sell/give to someone else), use a piece of paper or cloth to remove it. Touching a halogen bulb with bare fingers leaves oil on it, and because of the high heat that halogen bulbs put out, this can damage and bulb and cause it to blow up. If the bulb is a “G4” style, as most dome lights are, you just pull to remove it — two little wires will just slide out. Other bulb styles may require the bulb to be twisted slightly, then pulled out.

A really easy DIY project to cut down on the amp-hours used, along with where to get the bulbs you need.

Attach the correct adapter to the wiring coming from the LED bulb (the photo is the “G4” style with two wires if you’re wondering . . .).

A really easy DIY project to cut down on the amp-hours used, along with where to get the bulbs you need.

Plug the bulb into the socket. Turn the power on and then the fixture on. Make sure it works before going any further. Then switch it back off.

A really easy DIY project to cut down on the amp-hours used, along with where to get the bulbs you need.

Route the wire to go down the center section and dry fit the bulb into the fixture. See next photo for how it has to fit.

A really easy DIY project to cut down on the amp-hours used, along with where to get the bulbs you need.

Then peel the backing off the double-sided tape and stick the bulb to the fixture. Press hard so it will stay in place — it’s perfectly OK to touch the LEDs.

A really easy DIY project to cut down on the amp-hours used, along with where to get the bulbs you need.

Put the lens and trim ring back on with those teeny-tiny screws. For me, this was the hardest part of the job (a computer screwdriver such as this one really helps).

A really easy DIY project to cut down on the amp-hours used, along with where to get the bulbs you need.

Total time? About 5 minutes per fixture, including washing the glass.

We also changed out the reading lights over the bed and it was even simpler as it was a straight “change bulb” deal with nothing to take apart or adapters to fit. About 30 seconds each for those.

A really easy DIY project to cut down on the amp-hours used, along with where to get the bulbs you need.

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sailboat cabin light bulb

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Reader Interactions

Rodney Lewis says

February 10, 2015 at 12:29 pm

I’d like to do this, but the prices at that place are OUTRAGEOUS! Folks, if you look hard enough, there are articles on how to make up your own LED assemblies for a small fraction of the cost those robbers ask.

The Boat Galley says

February 10, 2015 at 1:21 pm

If you want to make your own, sure you can do it cheaper. But for pre-made? Prices are competitive.

February 10, 2015 at 1:31 pm

You know what? What you call “competitive” IS outrageous. Just for perspective, at the local Home Depot they sell replacement recessed ceiling lights. 2 years ago they were going for about $40 a pop, and now they are $15. In the same period of time the stuff at West Marine actually went UP!

Colin Mombourquette says

February 10, 2015 at 1:25 pm

2/3rd’s if the way through replacing the old incandescents on my Alberg 28 with LED bulbs/fixtures – electrical consumption is less than 1/5th of what it used to be and there is better illumination. Expensive, yes; but a good investment as I plan on sailing the good old boat for years to come.

Mike Boyd says

February 10, 2015 at 7:31 am

If you guys want to get more adventurous with LED replacement, I wrote up my project to convert my fluorescent fixtures to LED.

Fluorescent to LED Conversion project

Cost was around $2 per fluorescent tube replaced.

February 10, 2015 at 2:22 pm

I’ve replaced most of my lights with LED using some pre-made bulbs as well as some do-it-yourself options. Definitely worth the effort in power savings. I’ve done a couple write-ups for those interested: http://thisratsailed.blogspot.com/search/label/LED

One thing with LED nav lights. Make sure the bulb doesn’t interfere with radio or electronics…some of the replacement bulbs can be noisy…electrically speaking.

Natalie Claire Seager says

February 10, 2015 at 3:51 pm

John Seager this could be good for above the chart table…

Bill Dixon says

February 10, 2015 at 10:33 am

We tend to keep solar hours on the boat. Dont leave lights on long enuff to matter. Big energy savins for us was in the big energy using refridgerator. External insulation between engine room and refer box really paid off.

ChrisW says

February 10, 2015 at 11:39 am

Given the cost of very good house batteries and the fact they are charge cycle limited, we found that the extension of useful life on the batteries due to reduced recharge AH per week just about paid for the LED bulbs.

One suggestion though. Some LED bulbs have built-in dimmer circuitry and some battery chargers put out electrical noise which triggers the dimmer circuitry. When we first encountered this, the lights would do through a continuous dim-brighten cycle as long as the charger was in bulk mode. We recommend trying a single LED replacement before buying a bunch that have this annoying behavior.

CherylAnn Falconer says

February 10, 2015 at 7:45 pm

We invested in changing all our old incandescent with LED’s last year on pur Liberty 458, it droped our power bill to 1/4 of what it used to be. We are in CA = expensive. I agree with Colin Mombourquette. Well worth the investment. You can also choose the ambience you like in different locations on the boat.

Ernest Lorimer says

February 11, 2015 at 7:32 am

I know this won’t be exactly popular, but I’ve started down this path direct sourcing bulbs from Alibaba. I replaced all the reading lamps for less than a dollar each. These turned out to be auto taillight bulbs. I ordered extras, and they arrived after a couple of weeks in a padded envelope. A quarter of them didn’t work, but it still was a good deal.

I also ordered replacement bulbs for the courtesy lights. These also turn out to be auto bulbs. I haven’t tried them yet, as they took about 3 months to arrive. But those were around a dollar a bulb. The delay I can see from the envelope was because the Post Office sent them back as undeliverable (my office!) and they were resent to the same address.

Gimme Shelter says

February 11, 2015 at 11:40 am

Just make sure you aren’t getting any interference with your VHF. Brands like Dr. LED and HQRP guarantee their marine bulbs to be shielded, so they won’t cause any RF problems.

February 11, 2015 at 11:46 am

We did some LED testing as well. Cruising Solutions seems to be about half the price of West Marine, but a little steeper than HQRP-USA on eBay.

https://svgimmeshelter.wordpress.com/2014/12/20/putting-leds-to-the-test-dr-led-vs-hqrp-usa/

Bruce (s/v Migration) says

February 13, 2015 at 8:11 am

Before you invest in changing all the bulbs in your boat, look at how much you actually use each light. Saloon, galley, nav station, and reading lights all make sense. But a light in closet or berth that is hardly ever used really doesn’t save you much. Even the light in the head (unless you do a lot of preening). If a light is on for 1/2 hour a day (which would be a lot in the head), you would save about 3/4 of an amp hour. That doesn’t make a dent in most electrical budgets.

Edward Biernot says

August 9, 2016 at 11:24 am

that is a huge difference, thanks for the tip

David B Weaver says

August 9, 2016 at 1:23 pm

I bought led replacements on eBay. They had to come from China so it took longer to get them. The type I got was 2 for $5 with free shipping. Significantly cheaper. Worked fine.

Brad Fisher says

August 9, 2016 at 1:53 pm

I changed all our halogen G4 bulbs to LED. Power savings as well as almost no heat generated. Got from Amazon direct from China as well. Very inexpensive. Easy upgrade.

Darryel Picou says

I changed over 50 lights on my boat to LED wow what a difference

Kevin Troy Forbes says

August 9, 2016 at 2:54 pm

Less power draw, long life, vibration resistant. Absolutely

Abby Penny says

August 9, 2016 at 5:15 pm

Pennco Phil

Steve Eberhard says

August 9, 2016 at 9:14 pm

Outland Hatch Covers, LLC says

August 9, 2016 at 9:23 pm

We changed all the bulbs in our boat and its a great peace of mind knowing if you leave a light on it wont cause a problem in the battery dept.

John Rushworth says

August 20, 2017 at 12:07 pm

About 1/10th the consumption of the 10 Watt original halogens. First upgrade I did, well worthwhile.

Rik Savering says

August 20, 2017 at 8:07 pm

I did this on my Lancer 27. 6 changed to LED. INCREDIBLE difference.

Darlene Luxton says

August 21, 2017 at 5:25 pm

We’ve changed all ours to LEAD with halogen for when on shore power and we don’t have to pay!!!

Mike Hellyar Sr says

November 30, 2017 at 6:53 am

On my. 22ft pocket cruiser I have placed battery powered LED touch/tap lights. Messing with wiring in a small cruiser as most sailors know is hard on the body. Batteries last forever and cheap to replace. And his way only light up where needed.

Carolyn Shearlock says

November 30, 2017 at 6:56 am

I’ve used some of those in the galley where wiring wasn’t easy. Love them! Add a Little Light

Pierre Askmo says

February 18, 2018 at 8:00 am

Thanks a lot for a very well explained and illustrated post! All light fixtures on my old Ranger 37 are now LED. Most of them use the 23-LED universal matrix. I am having a hard time finding replacement bulbs, do you have a source? The link in the post yields a 404 error. They do sell a “UNIVERSAL MATRIX RED/WHITE” but the 23-led seems hard to find.

February 18, 2018 at 9:04 am

Thanks — they redid their website and the links changed. I fixed them.

I think this is the one you’re looking for: https://www.cruisingsolutions.com/collections/cabin-lighting/products/universal-matrix-23

If that’s not right, check the full listing on this page: https://www.cruisingsolutions.com/collections/cabin-lighting

February 18, 2018 at 9:11 am

Thanks Carlyn! So these square ones (mine are round) will fit a 5.5″ diameter dome light?

February 18, 2018 at 9:14 am

Yep! As shown in the pictures in the post of installing them in my boat!

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Cabin Light bulb replacement??

  • Thread starter John Murphy
  • Start date Aug 17, 2013
  • Hunter Owner Forums
  • Ask A Hunter Owner

John Murphy

Please, The "cabin light" style at the forward base of my helm doesn't come on. Is there a bulb replacement available or do I have to buy a whole new light fixture?? Much Thanx  

Ken13559

Pictures?  

Alan

While you're at it go ahead and replace all your bulbs with LED's. I did mine a few years ago which basically reduced the load on my battery by more than 3/4 and eliminated the need for replacing bulbs permanently.  

Ken & Alan, Thank you for your replies. BUT, neither of you addressed my question. When I exposed the light at the foreward base of the helm of my 1997, 376, I discovered a circular fixture attached to two wires. Unlike the cabin lights which have a direct bulb replacement. Is there a way to replace the bulb?? Or do I have to buy a new fixture?? Much Thanx, "Murph"  

MrUnix

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Best LED Navigation Lights

Best LED Navigation Lights | Life of Sailing

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

May 3, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

  • Navigation lights offer safety to you and other boaters
  • You must understand how boat navigation lights rules are important
  • Bow light and stern light are red and green respectively
  • Pontoon boat navigation lights are similar to other marine navigation lights and their use
  • The best boat navigation lights will vary based on a variety of factors to you

‍ Boating at night requires proper lighting in order to ensure safe travels. So what are some of the best LED navigation lights?

Brands such as Shangyuan, Linkstyle, Partsam, and Obcursco make high quality LED boat navigation lights. Each brand will have a variety of factors that make them the best LED boat navigation lights such as price, quality of materials, and a super bright light.

In my years of experience some brands are definitely better than others. Price appears to be a driving factor but keep in mind what the boat lights intended use is for and how it applies to your situation.

Table of contents

‍ The Top 12 Best LED Boat Navigation Lights

Using LED boat lights is a smart choice for those who frequently sail or engage in open water activities. These are especially needed to obtain sufficient lighting for both the interior and exterior of their boat during night or dawn trips.

Partsam LED Lights

Partsam LED Lights

The Partsam round chrome light is a waterproof LED boat navigation light that doubles as an interior boat cabin light. It is made from top chrome bezel and high-grade plastic that make it durable and lightweight.

It comes with mounting screws and is easy to install with its flush mount. It is also compatible with 12 volt DC power.

  • Waterproof and durable against all elements
  • Can be used in both interior or exterior of your boat
  • Installation is easy and it is super bright
  • Not meant to be submerged especially in salt water
  • Cannot dim the lights

Shangyuan Boat Navigation Lights LED Strip

Shangyuan Boat Navigation Lights LED Strip

The Shangyuan LED boat running lights are versatile and reliable for use all over the boat. These are especially used for:

  • Stern lights
  • Starboard and port sides

These LED boat navigation lights are ideal for small boats, kayaks, pontoons, and sailboats. The 3.8-inch LED strips are green for the starboard side and red for the port side. They meet maritime requirements and are battery-powered.

These running lights can withstand harsh marine conditions and provide exceptional brightness and performance. The slim ABS casing needs careful screw tightening to avoid cracking. They are easy to install and durable even in harsh environments during hunting and winter seasons.

  • Be seen on the water with proper navigation lights
  • Energy efficient
  • Overtightening the screw can damage light casing
  • Meant for small boats

Obcursco LED Navigation Lights Kit

Obcursco LED Navigation Lights Kit

Obcursco makes a great boat navigation light kit. This LED navigation light is perfect for low light settings and rough weather with a 12v DC power and IP67 waterproof rating.

It is corrosion-resistant and impact-proof thanks to the ABS material while tightly sealed LEDs ensure full waterproofing. With easy installation using 3M adhesive it is a versatile option for boats and land use alike.

  • Easy to adjust lights
  • Waterproof and has durable materials
  • Easy to install
  • Might need to glue the lights in addition to the 3M tape
  • Does not include instructions

Linkstyle Marine Boat Navigation Lights

Linkstyle Marine Boat Navigation Lights

Linkstyle's marine LED boat navigation lights are a durable and versatile option for various boat types. Its corrosion-resistant design features waterproof red and green LED units, an ABS plastic casing with a stainless steel enclosure, and polycarbonate-lenses lamps.

The lightweight and easy-to-install design is ideal for hunting and fishing. The 225-degree mounting angle ensures maximum luminance and safety compliance. These IP65 waterproof safety lamps use 16 LED bulbs powered by a 12V battery to widen visibility during reduced visibility conditions.

  • Lightweight and durable to outdoor marine conditions
  • Easy installation
  • Ideal for smaller boats
  • Installing wrong may cause navigation issues
  • Not meant for larger boats

OPT7 Aura PRO LED Kit

OPT7 Aura PRO LED Kit

The OPT7 Marine LED Kit is for hassle-free and waterproof boat lighting. It features SoundSync bass-activated technology, a handheld remote, and one-touch color selection with advanced dimming options.

The kit contains four LED strips, connectors, extension wires, power harness, mounting kit, and other accessories. This beats looking for everything individually but the price point might deter some buyers wanting a simple setup.

  • Super bright lighting
  • Easy to install and plug into 12 volt power
  • Comes with remote and various light features
  • Remote is not the best quality
  • Might be overpriced for those wanting a simpler LED kit

Interwebz Boat Bow Navigation

Interwebz Boat Bow Navigation

Interwebz has waterproof LED bow navigation lights in red and green for boats that can be connected to a 12-volt battery or a standard pole. Proper labeling is required for night trips.

It has stylish mounting options for the boat's rub rail with a black cover that blends in with the exterior surfaces. Suitable for various boats such as bass, ski, and fishing boats, the lights are weatherproof with an IP68 rated silicone casing.

  • Easily seen lighting
  • Has six foot cord to connect anywhere on the boat
  • Great weatherproof rating
  • Likely have to use marine grade silicone to keep it secure

PryEU Daylight White

PryEU Daylight White

The PryEU Daylight White 6000K is an energy-efficient and versatile waterproof lighting fixture that uses 3M double-sided foam tape for secure attachment. It has a 12v DC voltage compatibility and consumes only 1.5 watts and makes it ideal for marine interiors and other spaces.

Installation is easy but it involves surface cleaning and sticking it to the adhesive backing. A three year warranty plus 60 days replacement and fast delivery with customer support are provided by the manufacturer.

  • Excellent energy efficiency
  • Solid waterproof rating
  • Easy to install and has three year warranty
  • Might need silicone to help make it stay
  • Lights cannot be dimmed

Amzonly LED Navigation Lights

Amzonly LED Navigation Lights

AMZONLY LED boat navigation lights are a versatile and top-rated kit with red and green LEDs for the bow and port side and white for the stern. They have three flashing modes and a magnetized screwdriver for easy battery changes.

This IPX5 weather-resistant light kit comes with four LEDs, 12 3-volt batteries, three elastic straps, one long armband, and a 12-month return policy. This is suitable for kayaks, yachts, motorboats, and pontoons and they can be used as a flush mount navigation light, masthead light, taillight, running light, or flashing light.

  • Easy to install kit with everything you need
  • One year return policy
  • Solid waterproof and weatherproof capabilities
  • Not intended to be submerged or soaked

Leaningtech LED Boat Navigation Lights

Leaningtech LED Boat Navigation Lights

The LEANINGTECH Marine LED is a waterproof and adaptable lighting choice for boats that is known for its brightness, energy efficiency, and USCG compliance. Its durable construction from ABS plastic and chrome plaid zinc ensures both lightweight and waterproof properties with an IP65 rating.

It can serve various purposes that as a source of lighting for different types of boats. It can also serve as a bow, running, or stern light.

  • Great brightness
  • Easy to install and is made from quality materials
  • Has multiple functions for use
  • Gauge for wires is a bit small
  • Some reports say it did not hold up well in salt water conditions

Osinmax Boat Navigation Light

Osinmax Boat Navigation Light

The Osinmax LED boat navigation lights is a top-rated energy-saving set that uses a 3W LED bulb and 12V DC power. With green and red lenses it offers masthead-like running lights that ensure you will be seen up to two miles.

The housing is waterproof with an IP67 high-density seal ring made of foam silicone rubber that helps prevent short circuits from splashes. The lights comply with maritime navigation, wildlife, and fisheries regulations, and install easily with one screw.

  • Low power consumption and is super bright
  • Designed to keep water out
  • Can be used as courtesy lights
  • Might need to add silicone to adhere the back side
  • Might be difficult to install on some boats

Lumitec SeaBlazeX Boat Navigation Lights

Lumitec SeaBlazeX Boat Navigation Lights

To attain premium illumination you should opt for the Lumitec SeaBlazeX LED with 12-24V DC power that emits 4,000 lumens. Its marine-grade bronze housing enables convenient flat surface installation.

It offers versatile programmable features such as cross-fade and strobe. Perfect for subaquatic use, preventing discoloration, it is available in blue, green, white, and white/blue hues.

  • Durable in salt water conditions
  • Solid underwater submersion capabilities
  • Bright lights in various colors
  • Cannot dim lights
  • Somewhat expensive compared to similar brands

Five Oceans Boat Navigation Lights

Five Oceans Boat Navigation Lights

Boaters prefer Five Oceans' marine LED boat navigation lights for clear visibility up to two miles. These dual-function green and red lights serve as stern, flushing, and bow lights.

They are made of lightweight ABS plastic and alloy covers.They are also brighter and longer-lasting compared to other boat navigation lights.

These low-tension safety lights connect to a 12V power source for energy efficiency and superior visibility. With a UV-resistant feature and a lifespan of about 50,000 hours they are top choice. No additional sealing is required thanks to their rubber seal.

  • IP66 protection and endure splashes
  • Easily install the 3W bi-color LEDs at a 225-degree angle using the included screws
  • Bright boat navigation lights that can be seen two miles away
  • Does not look as appealing as other boat navigation lights

What to Expect from LED Boat Navigation Lights

To simplify your selection process when looking for LED lighting fixtures to accessorize, you will need to research a variety of factors based on your needs. If you wish to upgrade or replace your boat navigation lights here are some key factors to consider.

Lighting Capability

LED lights have evolved to meet diverse lighting needs with some producing clear white light and others providing brightness from any direction. Lumens is the term used to describe the amount of light generated by a particular brand of LED lights.

Angle of the Lights

To avoid eye damage it is crucial to factor in the beam angle when purchasing LED boat lights. Read reviews from past customers to gauge the intensity of the light directed at you or from an angle. Strong LED lighting fixtures can harm your eyes so be cautious.

Energy Efficiency

Comparing the percentage of energy needed to produce sufficient light is crucial when selecting lighting fixtures such as LED lights. Higher lumens per watt make LED lights more cost-effective in terms of energy consumption.

Red Light Output

Excessive heat generation in boat LED lights is a significant concern for buyers. To ensure optimal lighting quality it is crucial to consider the heat output of the chosen LED light.

Ease of Installation

Multiple installation techniques for navigation lights cater to different boating needs but mount components should be ensured for both wired and battery-operated choices. Mounting options range from screws to armbands.

Wired lights are recommended for safety while small boats can benefit from the versatility of battery-operated LED lights. The chosen installation method impacts functionality, service life, and safety, ultimately safeguarding lives and property.

LED light prices will vary depending on select features such as materials used and the manufacturer's design availability. Choosing a manufacturer depends on the buyer's budget and preferences for the intended use of the boating adventure.

Customized features and extended warranty may result in higher prices. To obtain the finest LED light bargain you should scrutinize LED boat lighting warranties that typically span from one to seven years. Do not settle for one that is the cheapest option since it might not suit your intended use or last as long as you may hope.

Quality Materials

To ensure the longevity of LED lights it is crucial for prospective buyers to consider the material used. If the material is prone to rust then the light will eventually corrode.

Always check the manufacturer's material-composition and avoid products made primarily of alloy coating. You should for opt for a top-grade metal or alloy material from a reputable LED light brand.

Your lighting source must be tightly sealed and capable of withstanding harsh weather and moisture. When using LED lights for marine and saltwater expeditions, verify the IP rating.

Look for an IP67 rated LED product. This means it confirms its ability to endure any weather conditions and even some underwater submersion.

Why You Need LED Boat Navigation Lights

LED navigation lights offer numerous benefits. They primarily are designed to allow safe transport on the waterways so that other boats can see you.

Choose quality LED lights for greater energy efficiency and significant cost savings compared to incandescent bulbs. LED lights have diverse uses on land and sea, being useful for lighting homes, businesses, and buildings.

Marine LED cabin lights have become popular as decorative lighting inside homes, while others use LEDs for entertainment, transportation, spotlighting, or reading. LEDs are considered essential lighting tools in any setting.

Other reasons to have efficient ones include:

  • Easy installation and durable marine-grade construction
  • Versatile performance options based on different brands
  • Improved visibility for boat status and navigation
  • Helps prevent accidents caused by extreme weather and reduced visibility
  • Retain compliance with wildlife and marine laws
  • Multiple usage options in other marine applications

Differences in LED Boat Navigation Lights

The boat light packaging is compact upon delivery and LED lights operate similarly to incandescent bulbs. They are initially designed for lighting boats but a lot of these lights now serve multiple purposes and come in various types.

  • Navigation: Are essential for indicating the position and direction of sea vessels. Usually with red and green lights in addition to white.
  • Anchor: The anchor light serves to locate and signal the presence of a docked vessel
  • White: Provides adequate lighting all around the boat
  • Deck: These lights offer lighting in areas that you walk through often
  • Dock: Serve as bright illumination for boaters or mariners during departure or arrival at a marina
  • Underwater: These are submerged or placed near water to lure sea creatures during nighttime fishing expeditions.
  • Search: Search lights are essential for boat users to locate objects on deck or in water.

Which Colors Do You Need for Your Boat?

Boat navigation lights consist of red sidelight for port side and green sidelight for starboard side. White lights serve as anchor, masthead, or stern lights.

If you cannot remember how to tell the two apart you can always think of port red wine. There is a saying that you can easily remember such as “there is no red port wine left”. This way you do not have to worry about the starboard side since it works itself out in the phrase if you can remember the port side.

Navigation lights are unnecessary for illumination during normal boat motion except in low visibility conditions. If you decide to use other lights on your boat make sure that they are not in use during lower light conditions so that other boaters are not confused by your setup.

Related Articles

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

by this author

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    Boat Info. Downloads Weekly Quiz Topic FAQ 10000boatnames.com. Classifieds. Sell Your Boat Used Gear for Sale. ... Cabin Light bulb replacement?? Thread starter John Murphy; Start date Aug 17, 2013; Forums. Hunter Owner Forums. Ask A Hunter Owner. Status Not open for further replies. J. John Murphy. Oct 4, 2010 56 Hunter 376 ...

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    Cruiser LED 200x400 Silver Cabin Dome Light (Cool White / Blue) Cruiser LED X-Large Dome Light200mm x 400mm with 4 covered screw mounting holes. At less than 3/4" d.. $99.99 $199.99.

  21. Boat Lighting

    Shop lighting for boats and docks at West Marine including exterior and interior boat lights, bulbs and more. Visit for prices, reviews and deals! ... Interior lighting products include a variety of cabin lights, such as overhead dome lights, bulkhead (wall) lights, chart lights and utility lights. Interesting choices include rope lights and a ...

  22. Best LED Navigation Lights

    The Partsam round chrome light is a waterproof LED boat navigation light that doubles as an interior boat cabin light. It is made from top chrome bezel and high-grade plastic that make it durable and lightweight. ... These IP65 waterproof safety lamps use 16 LED bulbs powered by a 12V battery to widen visibility during reduced visibility ...