High Power Docking Lights Upgrade for the Cobalt 25SC?

[simtal]

Hello Cobalt Folks,

I've a 2019 25SC Outboard, the model with the square bow he in beautiful Redington Beach, Flordia.

While cruising the intercoastal at night its seemingly super dangerous and easy to miss ICW channel markers and buoys until its too late! Most of them are not lit at night, which really sucks and I wish they would put lights on them all, but that's not going to happen anytime soon.

SO Im left with needing a high-power light, the factory "docking lights" / LED's are extremely low light output and dull.

Has anyone done a light upgrade? Know if I can change the LED's out? Other suggestions?

Thanks very much,

Simon

[AsLan7]

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Hey simtal. So glad you found us my friend.

It may be best to invest in a high powered LED spot light. That's what we use. It is illegal to run with your docking lights on. They are only to be used for docking or trailer loading.

Any pics of your Cobalt?

And welcome aboard mate.

.

[Whippled263]

At night in the intercoastal is def. no joke. We has a 50 inch led light bar on top of my friends 2020 sunsation 34cx. It lights up the markers like a highway. His garmin 22 inch screens also show every marker in the channel. However running the light off and on is never a problem. Everyone does it. If another boat is coming you def. wanna turn it off. They make way better l.e.d bulbs for your boat. Just do some digging around. They also make a remote powered spot light that turns direction with the push of a button. You could install this on your bow. I dont think the docking lights are going to give you the lighting your looking for

[simtal]

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Hey simtal. So glad you found us my friend.

It may be best to invest in a high powered LED spot light. It is illegal to run with your docking lights on. They are only to be used for docking or trailer loading.

Any pics of your Cobalt?

And welcome aboard mate.

.

Hi AsLan7, thanks for your welcome and the advice!

Cobalt25SC Blind Pass.jpg

Cobalt25SC Birds.jpg

[simtal]

At night in the intercoastal is def. no joke. We has a 50 inch led light bar on top of my friends 2020 sunsation 34cx. It lights up the markers like a highway. His garmin 22 inch screens also show every marker in the channel. However running the light off and on is never a problem. Everyone does it. If another boat is coming you def. wanna turn it off. They make way better l.e.d bulbs for your boat. Just do some digging around. They also make a remote powered spot light that turns direction with the push of a button. You could install this on your bow. I dont think the docking lights are going to give you the lighting your looking for

Whippled263 thanks for your feedback and advice. Ill pickup LED bar or a remote light, makes sense.

Stay tuned for updates

[bruceb58]

I use a spotlight when necessary. Just turn it on at critical times. I have a narrow channel with lots of rocks that are hard to see if there is no moon. I only need it for a 30 seconds or so.

[Whippled263]

I would try and mount a light bar on top of your tower. Maybe the leading edge. You could prolly even mount it using some strong zip ties so that its not permanent. Its a simple two wire install. It would also blend in and not be an eye sore like a spot light on your bow

[rrfisher]

A handheld spot light is the way to go. This is the light I prefer.

https://www.amazon.com/STANLEY-SL10LEDS ... 129&sr=8-8

[bruceb58]

A handheld spot light is the way to go. This is the light I prefer.

https://www.amazon.com/STANLEY-SL10LEDS ... 129&sr=8-8

I may need to pick up one of these but maybe one with more lumens. Mine is a 1 million candlepower halogen light that plugs into the cig lighter...major old school. It also gets super hot.

[sailor55330]

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Hey simtal. So glad you found us my friend.

It may be best to invest in a high powered LED spot light. That's what we use. It is illegal to run with your docking lights on. They are only to be used for docking or trailer loading.

Any pics of your Cobalt?

And welcome aboard mate.

.

+1000

As mentioned, It is illegal to run docking lights or any other forward looking lights unless you are working commercial vessel or loading on a trailer, plus, it's a real jerk move.....Think about it-----you are having a hard time finding a marker, well, so is the guy coming towards you. If you turn on a light bar, you will ruin their night vision as well and make it more confusing for them. Please use a hand held spot and get a good chartplotter. WIth a good chartplotter and nav program, you won't need any lights as you will be able to tell your positoin within a few feet.

Don't be "That Guy"....

[Whippled263]

Again, The lights would only be used off and on with no other boats around. A Chart plotter is a must for the ICW or any major body of water.
End of the day do what your comfortable doing. I boat often in Florida and see vessels including ourselves flicking the light off and on if needed. To run the light non stop is def. a major No NO

[rrfisher]

A handheld spot light is the way to go. This is the light I prefer.

https://www.amazon.com/STANLEY-SL10LEDS ... 129&sr=8-8

I may need to pick up one of these but maybe one with more lumens. Mine is a 1 million candlepower halogen light that plugs into the cig lighter...major old school. It also gets super hot.

Yea, that waterproof one is weak. I have the other one that is 2200 Lumens that I use to navigate East Matagorda Bay in Texas. Plenty of things to run in to out there.

[NautiWeasel]

The spot light sounds like a good idea, and I like the idea of a map as well.
I like to use Navionics. Works for Apple or Android, it's pretty cheap for an annual subscription, and you can download charts for your frequented lakes, so no need for cell service. If you have friends you boat with too, you can even share locations and know where they are. It's a great app, and I'm not even getting paid by them.