Need help with boat headlights

[WV Bass]

I recently purchased a Ranger 175. I plan to do quite a bit of late evening/night bass fishing. I would like to install headlights on the boat so that I can see as I motor around the lake. At certain times of the year there is a lot of debris (tree limbs, trash, etc.) floating in the lakes I fish. So safety is of utmost importance here.

I have basically 2 requirements. First, I don't want to drill any holes in my new boat. Second, since I just bought the boat I need a lighting solution that is inexpensive (I'm thinking less than $100.00).

I thought about buying some inexpensive off-road lights and mounting them somehow to either the front pedestal seat or under the windshield by using some aluminum tubing and replacing some of the screws used to hold the windshield on with longer screws. I would like to be able to adjust or aim the lights easily. I've seen some of the lights sold in Bass Pro and other magazines but they are to expensive. However, I don't know if these are good ideas or not.

Does anyone have any ideas about mounting the lights? Should I buy spot-lights or flood lights? Any ideas or experiences would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

[Dogface]

I have them on my boat for traveling small creeks while duck hunting. They light up the banks to the side and give me a reference.

Their range is limited and they must be aimed based on the position of the boat. Mine are set up to put their beam on the water at slow speed. If I go too fast they lift off the water and are useless. They are also useless on big water.

You would do better with a good handheld spot light.

[WV Bass]

Dogface, thanks for the info.  I've used hand held spotlights in the past and was hoping for something better.  However, you may be right that a handheld is the best way to go.  

My fishing buddy and I sometimes shine a light on the bank above where we are fishing.  We're able to see where to cast and, at least at our lake, it doesn't seem to affect the fish.  Right now we turn the light on and lay it in one of the seats pointed toward the bank while we're fishing.  In my opinion, not the ideal set-up.

Thanks for the info.  Handheld spotlight it is until I come up with something better.

[bassdocktor]

If you like the spot light but don't want to set it down or hold it what about this one. I've never used it but you get a mountable spotlight.  I'm sure someone on here has used one.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21412-cat20161&id=0004010520661a&navCount=1&podId=0004010&parentId=cat20161&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20161&hasJS=true

[Dogface]

Be careful laying it on the seat. Some of them get very hot and can burn the material or cause a fire.

[Wayne P.]

Have you checked for the legality of using any type of light such as spotlights and headlights while navigating?

[Team_Dougherty]

It is illegal to use headlights on the water. you can ruin your night vision but more importantly you can blind another boater.

Here is PA's take on lights I am sure other states have similar

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/boatcrs/03boathandbook/operation5.htm

Here is the colregs start with rule 20

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/boating/colregs.html

Now that does not mean you can not use the occasional hand held or other spot light to look for buoys, other navaids or to help in docking. You just can not run with the headlights on at night like you would in a car. Once it is dark your eyes will adjust and you will be able to see quite well.  

[WV Bass]

I may need to check into the legality of it running headlights.  However, I suspect that they are legal since a lot of boats on the lakes I frequent use headlights or hand held spotlights.  I just don't want to drill holes in my boat to install headlights.

More imporatantly I want to be safe.  And that means not blinding other boaters and avoiding floating logs and trash in the lake.  Which is one of the reason I'm asking the question here.  Alot of people on this forum seem to have a good answers to problems and have been there done that.  

I appreciate all the replies and advice.  

Headlights or lights other than Nav. lights may be one of those laws that isn't enforced on the lakes I fish.  A lot of boaters use the black fishing lights and other lights at night.  I'll check one way or the other.

[Catt]

I night fish from the full moon in April until the full moon in October so I'll can give you a little in sight. You will not be satisfied with any available head lights on the market since they do not have enough candle power and when mounted on your boat they do not illuminate enough to really see that clearly. I use Brinkman's MaxMillion III which is 3,000,000 candle watt power and will light up the night even if you have over cast skies. I like to sweep from one side to the other ahead of my boat looking for potential danger some thing head light will not do.

A MaxMillion III can be had at Wal/Mart for under $35.00

[Splat]

A little pricey but this is what I use.

http://www.magnalight.com/c-23-golight-spotlights.aspx?gclid=CKnC4IWKtJMCFQMUGgodG09vCw

May give you some ideas.

Bill

[WV Bass]

Thanks guys for all the ideas and info.  Looks like I may have to stick with the ole hand held spotlight and figure something else out for fishing.

How does everyone like the black lights?  How do you see where to cast?