Let there be light

[NX EXA]

I know some of you are/were against lights on a PWC. Here are the results of my project. The front white light is a temp until I find something more suitable.

 

[LouDoo]

Nice job, I guess if you're gonna ride at night illegally it's better to have lights than not.

Lou

 

[Dr Honda]

What's with the front white light? Boarding/docking lights can only be used near shore, and at low speed.

Your white light needs to be 360 degrees, and high. (above your head) You can get a pole light, with a socket, so it can be removed during the day.

Finally... you need to wire it so only the 360 degree white light is on, when at "Anchor" (or trolling) and all 3 are on when underway.


Regardless.... be safe if you are going to be out at night.


****EDIT****


Here's your 360 pole

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Perko-Delta...794?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d12be2ff2


Here's the socket that gets mounted to the hull. (but there are a bunch of styles to chose from)


http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Perko-M...d=100005&prg=8344&rk=3&rkt=4&sd=321229278098&

 

[chucked]

In MD boats less then 20 meters the white light only needs to be 270 degrees, the 90 degrees not visable facing the stern. But same as you, cant be on while under way.

 

[red2blue]

The thought of running my ski in the dark just screams....insanity.

 

[NX EXA]

What's with the front white light? Boarding/docking lights can only be used near shore, and at low speed.

Your white light needs to be 360 degrees, and high. (above your head) You can get a pole light, with a socket, so it can be removed during the day.

Finally... you need to wire it so only the 360 degree white light is on, when at "Anchor" (or trolling) and all 3 are on when underway.


Regardless.... be safe if you are going to be out at night.


****EDIT****


Here's your 360 pole

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Perko-Delta...794?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d12be2ff2


Here's the socket that gets mounted to the hull. (but there are a bunch of styles to chose from)


http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Perko-M...d=100005&prg=8344&rk=3&rkt=4&sd=321229278098&

Like I said before, the front white light is a temp until I get the required light. There is a white light in the back as well, just not in view on the picture. The white lights are wired separate from the green/red lights.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Is this ski really going to be driven at night or are you just adding lights to be "cool" and added safety as in "daytime" running lights on a car?

what side lights did you use?

 

[NX EXA]

Is this ski really going to be driven at night or are you just adding lights to be "cool" and added safety as in "daytime" running lights on a car?

what side lights did you use?

I've quickly learned that I ride distance. I can easily be out on a 50 mile ride as I just love cruising around. Most of my time available is in the afternoon. I put the lights on for when I'm further out than I expected and it starts getting dark before I get back (especially as the days are getting shorter). The light in the front is for when I'm up the rivers to help me see if I happen to still be in there as darkness approaches.

The side lights are LED flex strips.
Here's a picture of the common area I ride. To the north and west are miles of rivers which lead to the bay at the southeast. As many times as I've been up there I've seen maybe two other boats.

 

[Strizzo]

It's not that people "frown" on riding at night, it's just that it's illegal and all. Pwc are classified if differently than regular boats so you aren't allowed to ride at night, lights or no lights, if you're riding when lights are needed, you're breaking the law.

Not to mention the safety issue riding at night. Navigating is totally different when te lights go down.

 

[NX EXA]

I've quickly learned that I ride distance. I can easily be out on a 50 mile ride as I just love cruising around. Most of my time available is in the afternoon. I put the lights on for when I'm further out than I expected and it starts getting dark before I get back (especially as the days are getting shorter).

^^^ You guys seem to think I'm riding at night on purpose. This is a precautionary for above statement.
Where I am weather can change very quickly. Example was on Saturday where I still had 2 hours before start of sunset as a thick overcast came in and I was more than 30 minutes out. Pop up storms are nothing new here and there have been a number of times fog will roll in at midday.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

The problem I see with the front light is it may obscure the P/S marker lights, which other vessels must be able to see so they know your heading. I also will use my spotlight if I cannot see well, as I approach the dock.