Docking lights/Headlights

[kross1]

Hi All
I just ordered a set of docking lights for my boat. I don't like to call them headlights but if you do a search you find a lot of lights for your dock not the boat.
I got LED's from a company called TecNiq. They seem to make a lot of lights for emergencie vehicles .Anyone know anything about them. By the way there are lights there now just replacing them.

Thanks

[ranjr13]

I think docking lights are excellent, used when entering harbor or docking to pick out moorings, assisting a boat in distress, working around anything that won't light up just by the lumens given off from nav lights. We had halogen large style docking lights in our 28 - that was 20yrs ago, before good LED bulbs were available. My only concern would be to make sure you get an excellent fit if it in any way changes the mount of the light. There are a lot of concerns, and some examples from folks in this sand box, where docking lights have blown out (inward) during heavy sea contact, creating a very large opening for seawater to enter when pounding into a head sea.

On our 31, I' have LEDs to put on - but they are not replacing large existing lights - they require only 2 or 3 small screw holes, and a wire hole very small (22 or smaller gauge wire). Thus there will be no large hole to ever cause a possible path for large water. I'm not familiar with TecNiq - if you google Whelen their factory is a town away from me here in Connecticut, and we use them exclusively on our emergency apparatus. If you have any issues with the TecNiq lights go with Whelen lights, the Cadillac of the emergency vehicle warning industry. I believe docking lights are great - just don't leave them on all the time. Best of luck, enjoy!

[Rawleigh]

I love my docking lights. Barengatts with the lexan cover. Some day I will change the bulbs to LED.

[mike ohlstein]

You don't worry about them blowing in? Big wave.... and all of a sudden you're taking in a gallon every few seconds?

[kross1]

I'm not concerned about the lights coming off the boat. The ones that are there now are rock solid and these are going on that frame work as they are a little bit smaller.
I will let you know quality and brightness when they arrive .

[Rawleigh]

My boating is limited to the Chesapeake Bay, which while rough is not the ocean. These lights are two layers. The inner light and the outer lexan protective lens. i am not going to make claims like the Titanic, but I am comfortable with them for what I do. There is a greater danger from sinking by hitting flotsam at night than sinking from breaching the lights.

[Carl]

Read Bob Licos posting in the "Exhaust Water Discharge Thread"

Wed 2/20/2019. 4:20pm

[IRGuy]

I don't have them and really don't feel the need for them. I have a great LED flashlight that I keep in the helm area and love it.

Also, I simply don't want to put a couple of holes in my boat.. IMHO I have too many already.

[Dug]

I had docking lights. When they worked they were cool. But the Morse lights that were cast aluminum died, the housings cracked and the plastic ones i replaced them with just never worked either. And then i blew one out on a bad run one from the canyon and that was it. When Alchemy got beautified, they were GONE!!! If you want then in your boat i understand. But ill take a FLIR anytime.

[kross1]

I received the lights they seem well made. They have two settings hi and low witch seems like a nice feature. Comes with lifetime warranty, who’s Lifetime I don’t know but will see how it goes.

[ranjr13]

Amen on FLIR. Use the radar to locate items in the water, use the FLIR to differentiate between mooring balls, geese or kayaks. Incredible tool when used after a little practice. Concern with water intrusion in nasty sea with large original style docking lights, but not with new modern surface mount led lights.

[bob lico]

i second dug! A vicious ocean WILL break those lights-----------trust me!!!!!

[bob lico]

BTW. if you get caught offshore with those docking lights on, the COAST GUARD will stop you and rip you a new asshole as well as a full inspection!!!! you will really piss them off don`t do it. this is a International law BTW those two light with port and starboard and mast light with be the sign of towing a 200 meter or more barge or ship.i spoke with a large party boater just after it the incident happen.all kind of aftermath sex,drugs,and rock and roll.

[Carl]

...and they are not too found of spot lights in the eyes either.

[bob lico]

carl 100% correct, police harbor patrol or Coast Guard consider this an act of terrorism along with a laser light on an patrol boat.