Suction cup bow light

[just_glenn]

Been out twice in the inflatable after dark. Bought a nice set of lights that run on batteries, bow light and a transom light. Didn't even occur to me to look inside after using until the first set, $24.95 from West Marine didn't function a few day later. Poured a healthy amount of disgusting rust looking sludge out of it. Tried cleaning it up but no go. Wised up and bought a replacement at Wal-Mart for only $13 and now tonight I'm rinsing it out and a pair of brand new Energizer E "D" cells are hissing and spitting at me. Hopefully I saved the light fixture by rinsing it out in time.<br /><br />But my point is... is the fact that the thing is a bow light on a boat even entering the mind of whomever made it? Do I have good reason to be ticked or is this all part of the "throw money in the hole in the water"?

 

[JB]

Re: Suction cup bow light

You have a right to be ticked, Glenn. Try doing some waterproofing on that thing or spring for a submersible light.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[martinwinte]

Re: Suction cup bow light

Our rescue squad has an Avon and if you are powered with less than a 10 hp. then you do not need lights on it. Just wave a flashlight from the rear when you hear a boat coming. That is why Honda's (and others)make a 9.9 hp instead of a 10hp.<br /><br /> A

 

[just_glenn]

Re: Suction cup bow light

J.B. Thanks, knowing I'm not misguided in my anger will help somehow. Even if only to make sure the next one really is waterproof and make someone promise that before I buy it.<br /><br />Seaboo, interestingly my aim here is creating a marine based SAR team with my dog.<br />I'm getting conflicting info up here. Some folks are telling me I don't need any registration etc. and the Mass. Sate web site says I need to if I even have an electric trolling motor. Figured I would call the harbormaster and try to sort it out.

 

[martinwinte]

Re: Suction cup bow light

Wow good deal... Our squad's Avon (and another local squad's) are both powered with a Honda 9.9. We also have an ARGO with a trolling motor on it (used mainly in local lakes) None have been reg. or lights. If you look at the coast guard regs they do follow as far as lights go (but...it's a gov. document....kinda reading between the lines). Check with the Harbor Master, ect. and best of luck. (odds are if you are doing correct and on an SAR mission or training...they won't care..... We make sure to invite them to our trainings to keep relations good).

 

[martinwinte]

Re: Suction cup bow light

I just looked at Mass. Gov. web page.......NC's rules are ALOT more lax than yours. (we get away with murder..just kidding)... From what I read you are correct.....Talk sweet to officials...they are the ones that matter.

 

[just_glenn]

Re: Suction cup bow light

Some strategically applied tube silicone to the fixture has kept the Wal-Mart light dry the last two times out. Yahoo! The whole lens area was just wide open it seemed. So now it's bedded in silicone where it screws down to the body of the fixture. <br /><br />And yep, Seaboo, I live in one of those states with too many people in Gov with too much time on their hands thinking up yet another program that requires $$. We'll be the first state to issue a permit to wipe your butt.