Bimini Lighting

[wpauley]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had installed any bimini lighting? Looking for suggestions. We aren't out a lot at night but it would be useful to have a couple of lights for debarking, etc.

Thanks,
Wayne

2025 Bennington M24 Sport 250SHO

 

[Ishoot308]

You may wish to check with your local marine patrol enforcement with legalities of this before spending any money. Where I am from they do not allow any lighting whatsoever that can be seen above the helm except nav lights when underway. The speaker lights in my tower speakers even need to be turned off.

If using the lighting just for getting on / off the boat while at a dock you maybe OK…

Good luck!

Dan

 

[wpauley]

Thanks Dan - it would only be for dock time. We have the same rules on the Gulf - only nav lights on the water.

 

[Potomacbassin’]

I've seen people with Christmas lights strung all through, but to me that just makes your boat a bigger bug magnet! You'd also potentially have to route the wires in a way to avoid crimping when stowing the bimini.

All in all sounds like a hassle. Hang a portable LED lantern and be done with it!

 

[Vikingstaff]

Hang a portable LED lantern and be done with it!

Agreed! This is the way!

 

[sunedog]

You may wish to check with your local marine patrol enforcement with legalities of this before spending any money. Where I am from they do not allow any lighting whatsoever that can be seen above the helm except nav lights when underway. The speaker lights in my tower speakers even need to be turned off.

Just curious, Dan. Where do you boat?

Law enforcement on my local lake in SC have the opposite opinion, as do I. The more lights the better as long as others can still clearly see the red, green and white navigational lights. The red, green and white navigational lights on most boats are tiny and are easy to miss entirely. We have had many fatal night time collisions on our lake over the years that were caused by not recognizing another vessel was in your path. These were not from misinterpreting a vessel's direction.

I am well aware more lights can cause night blindness at close quarters. But if you can see my under deck side lights from literally two miles away, I don't think you're going to run over me.

(Please forgive the thread hijack.)

 

[Ishoot308]

Sorry just seeing your question…I boat in New Hampshire. Marine patrol is very strict on excessive and unnecessary lighting.

Dan

 

[mtudb24]

These are fantastic. They are self adhesive strips that stick like crazy and then have a full length magnet to hold the light to the base.
RGB. Remote control, dimmable, and uses USB to recharge them
Its what I used on our new boat for interior illumination.
You could put these on the frame facing down or even under the seat cushions on the bases
Makes it easy to get in and off the boat in the dark.

They are about 6" long and have 48 LED's. you can see one tucked up under the cushion behind the Pugster.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y1NHL8X?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_10&th=1

 

[LaurencetheAdventurer]

I am also a big fan of evening outings: I found these 12v USB LED lights that plug direct into any charging spot on my Benny, clip them down the center of the Bimini for evening meals, and store in a plastic ammo box - 5 minutes to setup and take down!