Boat Lights

Boat Lights

Waterproof Torches: The Best Boat Light

Whether you're spending time on the water in a boat, raft, canoe or inner-tube it is always a good idea to have a handheld light easily accessible. You can never predict what circumstances may cause your plans to keep you out past dark. In most areas, a working light is mandatory on all vessel, large boats as well as canoes and kayaks. While large ships and boats require strong, spotlights as well as handheld flashlights, a compact, portable waterproof flashlight is perfect for a smaller vessel.

Waterproof Flashlight Must Haves

There are a number of aspects to consider when looking for a good waterproof flashlight to keep on board your vessel.

Size: A waterproof flashlight should be easy to carry and access at any time. Avoid bulky handheld lights you are apt to leave at home rather than take with you on a small boat. If possible, have two lights, one small one that you can attach to your life jacket or fishing vest and a larger one that is tied into the boat.

Directional: Large sailing vessels utilize stationary mounted boat lights to handle their emergency light needs. If you are in a smaller vessel you are going to want a handheld flashlight that can be easily aimed in a direction quickly. Even large vessels should have several torches easily available in addition to mounted lights.

Easy-To-Use: Find a flashlight or waterproof torch that is simple to operate. If it has multiple light beam settings, make sure the transitions can be made easily in an emergency.

Durable: Make sure that the casing and construction of the torch itself can handle the ruggedness of river rafting, boating and any emergency that may occur in that environment.

A well-constructed waterproof flashlight is exactly the kind of light that can provide the reliability you will need. LED (light-emitting diode) waterproof torches can also provide more energy efficiency, longer battery and bulb life than regular incandescent bulb lights. These LED lights are slightly more expensive to buy than a traditional flashlight, but the longer battery and bulb life will save you significant dollars in the long-run.

Extra Flashlight Features

Waterproof flashlights can serve many different purposes, especially if you purchase a light that has multiple colors, brightness variation, and flashing features. Different colored lights can serve several purposes. A red light can be used to signal boats in case of an emergency. A blue light can help you preserve your night vision if alone on the water and a green light can help attract fish during night fishing. A waterproof torch with a flashing light feature can be used as a signal beacon. Other handheld lights have a dimmer or focus switch that allows you to create a wider beam of light to scan an entire lake or a narrow beam to focus out on a distant place downstream. These are all useful features to have at your fingertips while on the water.

Whether you're boating, rafting, canoeing, or kayaking, you should always carry an emergency light with you that can hold up to the conditions a watery adventure can bring about.

~Richard McNeal, 2009

About the Author

Richard McNeal writes from his home in Portland, OR. Check out
Coast LED product reviews
to better understand the benefits of a
quality handheld waterproof light
in practical situations.

I sell art at outdoor shows. I've seen people use a boat battery to power lights, but I need instructions.

I know it can be done somehow, but I am electriclally challenged. From what I have seen you use little jumper cable-type clamps and split some wires, and then can power even a halogen light. I need specifics (what type of marine battery works best, etc). Help!

You could use a boat, car or truck battery depending how much power you need but it's best left to a mechanic to rig something up as these batteries can deliver quite a punch if you get something wrong.

I'd have thought a much better option would be to get a portable powerpack - these are basically car batteries enclosed in a carrying case, you charge the battery by plugging into a cigarette lighter or normal mains electric supply. They have normal plug socket outlets so you can just plug something in like you would at home.

Because they're portable you can run your lighting off it, watch TV in the middle of a field or microwave your dinner on top of a mountain. They're great when you're away from home as you can also recharge cell phones, laptops etc.

Flourescent lights and LED's use less power than a conventional light-bulb and even with a small powerpack you'd be able to run about 10 flourescent lights for many hours

A lot of the models come with useful attachments such as work lights, car starter cables, different outputs, hazard lights etc and they're not that expensive. A moderate one will probably be in the region of $100 to $150.

The one I bought was off eBay so you could try looking there but also contact caravan and boating suppliers.

Here's a couple of examples of what I'm on about...

http://www.caravantechnology.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=35

http://www.edirectory.co.uk/pf/pages/moreinfoa.asp?pe=BGEGJEEQ_+ring+powerpack+120+portable+power+kit+with+12+240v+inverter&cid=880

WildCat Marine Lighting on 22' Skeeter Bay Boat