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Exterior lighting ready for a life at sea.

sku: DL-OEM-04

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sku: CL-80-12

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OEM Replacement Deck Light for Sea Hunt, Parker, Scout, Grady White and other boats with recessed LED deck lamps, but with a serious improvement in output and quality versus the original equipment product. This lamp is a perfect replacement for your...

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PRICED INDIVIDUALLY Back again after popular demand!  12V or 24VDC LED Spreader Light in traditional Stainless Steel housing.  Now available in a fixed mount version and an articulating mount version.  If you are looking for a very-bright...

THE COMPACT SUPER-WIDE BEAM LED FLOODLIGHT THAT EVERYONE WANTS, BUT NO ONE CAN FIND! Our super-wide angle LED flood light that is perfect lighting outdoor passageways and cockpits. Most LED deck lights have a very tight and blinding spot type beam, and...

This is the newest 40W LED technology from CREE, the leader in high-output LED lighting in America. This lamp features a rugged and waterproof IP67 6061 alloy-aluminum powder-coated housing and polycarbonate lens, so it is impervious to dust, water, and...

LEDs: (6) 3W PowerLED emitters Input Voltage: 10 - 30VDC (Integrated Constant Current IC) Wattage: 18 Watts Amperage: 1.2A at 12VDC Beam Angle: 30° or 60° Color Temperature: 6,500°K (Cool...

Mirror-polished stainless steel 4-color LED recessed downlight for boats (12V or 24V operation).  A very nice light for those wishing a high-quality recessed fixture with multi-color output.  Quick-mount spring retainers makes installation easy...

Professional Grade Marinebeam LED Offshore Deck Light.  Powered by 12 Cree 10W LEDs A rugged-environment 12" Dual-Row LED lamp developed for an OE customer that produces high-end sport fishing boats and commercial craft.  Now popular on...

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Fully waterproof aluminum anodized puck light draws only 3 Watts, but has the output equivalency of a 25W incandescent lamp. This lamp is great for fully wet (or dry) locations on deck, or down below. Makes a great cockpit light, and is also perfect for...

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The Best Marine LED Spreader Lights

Written by Anthony Roberts / Fact checked by Jonathan Larson

The deck is one of the most important parts of any boat. This is where I socialize with my friends and prepare fishing bait. At night, however, it is harder to do things and have fun at the deck because it is too dark. Thankfully, I have the best marine LED spreader lights.

A spreader light is a type of courtesy lighting installed in the spreader mast of a sailboat. It is available in different types, but LED is one of the most popular. From its long-life span to energy efficiency, there are tons of reasons why LED should be an excellent choice for spreader lights.

Choosing boat spreader lights is confusing. I am here to make things easier! Read on and I will help you pick a top-notch light that delivers superb quality and performance.

Lumitec LED Spreader Light

Jump to Review

EXZEIT LED Light Bar

WFPOWER Boat Light

Table of Contents

1. Lumitec LED Spreader Light

2. exzeit waterproof led light bar, 3. wfpower boat light, 4. ambother led light bar, 5. exzeit marine lights, 6. jiawill marine led spreader, 7. shoreline led spreader light, 8. lumitec 101292 deck light, 9. bunker indust led light pods, 10. shangyuan boat docking light, 11. kawell slim boat light, 12. wave one marine led spreader light, what is a spreader light on boats and how does it work, types of marine spreader lights, benefits and drawbacks of using marine led spreader lights for boats, buyer’s guide, care and maintenance, frequently asked questions, top 12 marine led spreader light reviews.

Lumitec spreader lights are popular for their durability and performance, so I am confident of recommending the Caprera2. It has 1,000 lumens to deliver maximum brightness! The light features two-color technology, combining white and blue or white and red depending on the application.

More than its incredible brightness, I also love how sturdy it is. With IP67 waterproof construction, the light is submersible up to one meter for 30 minutes. The fully-sealed body keeps the water out, protecting the bulb and other internal components. Plus, it is made in the USA, guaranteeing that it meets the strictest quality control standards.

To ensure the best quality, the light was continuously salt-sprayed for 2,000 hours in a state-of-the-art facility. This test proves the ability to withstand tough marine environments. To add, it has die-cast aluminum housing. It has a powder coating to minimize external damages, such as rust and corrosion.

I like how it features exclusive Deck Sweep technology. It casts wider usable light compared to most of its competitors. The improved pattern directs light where you need it the most for maximum illumination. Even if it creates wide light, some colors are optimized to reduce eye fatigue.

• Incredibly bright light output
• Dual-color output for versatile illumination
• Wide beam design to cast more light
• Fully-sealed construction to keep
• Quite more expensive compared to most competitors

The perfect marine spreader lights don’t have to be expensive. This product proves that you don’t need to spend a lot to enjoy exceptional quality. While it is one of the most affordable on my list, it is a pack of two lights!

I recommend this to anyone who is looking for an energy-efficient light without compromising performance. It has 12 OSRAM lenses in one light. Each lens has a 1.5-watt power output, which is equal to 36 watts per light. To increase the lifespan, however, the light limits the output to 20 watts. It saves power without dimming.

The durability is also impressive. It has a tough but lightweight aluminum alloy housing. Meanwhile, the spreader light mounting bracket is stainless steel. The light is built to withstand even the harshest environments, so you don’t have to worry even if you install it in open spaces. Rust isn’t a problem!

This 6-inch spreader light has 4,000 lumens to guarantee brightness. It casts light at 120 degrees for wider coverage. What I like is that I can get two lights in one pack, so I can enjoy double power!

It is a versatile light with multiple applications! While I use it as a spreader light for my boat, it is also good for golf carts, motorcycles, and off-road vehicles, among others. The universal fit makes it compatible with different uses.

• Lightweight aluminum alloy housing
• Controlled power output for better efficiency
• Comes with two lights in one affordable package
• Universal fit for multiple applications
• Does not come with instructions

A pack of two LED spreader lights for boats – this is another great budget-friendly alternative. Despite being affordable, it has decent quality. It does not have features as advanced as its more expensive counterparts, but for most users, this is an incredible pick.

Besides, one of the best assets of this spreader light is its bright output. Thanks to its 6 LEDs per unit, it has a light output of 1,440 lumens. This is visible up to 25 feet. Even with an output of 18 watts, it is energy-efficient, which is because of the use of LEDs.

This isn’t one of those dim spreader lights. I love how it comes with reflector cups in each bulb, which are meant to augment the brightness of the LEDs. It has a high transmittance to improve luminous clarity. This allows light to bounce brighter, resulting in a more powerful output.

I am also impressed with the lightweight aluminum alloy housing. It is powder-coated to prevent corrosion and other external damages. I can say that it will withstand the test of time because it is waterproof, rust-proof, and quake-proof. To add, it has built-in thermal fins for efficient heat dissipation. I like how it does not overheat, even when the light is turned on for an extended time.

• Great option for people on a budget
• Energy-efficient but bright LEDs
• Designed with thermal fins to prevent overheating
• Reflector cup to maximize brightness
• Difficult to attach to a mounting bracket

Make nights on the deck brighter with this spreader light! With two LED boat spreader lights in every purchase, you will enjoy exceptional value. The length of each light is seven inches and generates a total light output of 24,000 lumens. It has a triple-row design to pack more bulbs in a compact body.

To add, the spreader light has a 5050 new-generation SMD LED module. According to the manufacturer, the average lifespan is 50,000 hours. With its advanced LED chips, there is no need to frequently change your spreader light.

Aside from its brightness, I am also impressed with its waterproof design. In a test conducted by the manufacturer, the light bar was submerged in one-meter water for seven hours. It showed no signs of damage!

One more reason why I am interested in this product is its versatility. It works both as a floodlight and a spotlight. As a spotlight, it has a narrow 15-degree beam. On the other hand, as a floodlight, it has a 170-degree beam.

The efficient design of the spreader light is also admirable. The back has diversion fins. It allows heat to radiate quicker. Aside from keeping the light cool, it also extends its lifespan.

• High-lumen output for optimal brightness
• Combines spotlight and floodlight in one product
• Efficient design radiates heat quicker
• Moisture gets inside the lens
• Does not come with a wiring harness

Equipped with high-quality OSRAM LED chips, this spreader light promises unmatched functionality. It has a 150-degree far-reaching illumination to easily turn night into day. It has clear visibility even at a distance.

With 20 LEDs in one square light, I expect a bright output. It turned out that I was impressed by its performance. It exceeded my expectations. With 2,100 lumens and 90 watts, it has astounding brightness.

A lot of high-performance sailboat spreader lights are power-hungry. This product is worth a shot if you are looking for a more energy-efficient alternative. It does not draw a lot of power from your battery. Plus, the lights remain cool even after hours of use.

As expected in a spreader light, it has waterproof construction. It has been tested for two hours under the water and showed no problem. The manufacturer is confident that the light resists water damage. They are offering a free replacement within two years if you experience any water issue.

Installing the light is easy for everyone, even for a beginner. I did not have any trouble while using it. Wiring is also pretty straightforward. You don’t have to pay a pro to do it!

• 150-degree light beam for a wide coverage
• Does not draw tremendous power from your battery
• Runs cool even after extended use
• Guaranteed waterproof construction
• The quality of the fasteners can be better

Whether you want a blue or white spreader light in your boat, this is an excellent option! I love its dual-color mode, allowing you to switch from one color to another in an instant. Regardless if you want it bright enough to see things clearly on the deck or you prefer it a little dim to enhance mood, this light changes color as it turns on and off.

As I see, this horizontal bar light comes with six bulbs. The output isn’t as exceptional as most of the products in this list, but if you have a small deck or boat, this is enough. It has six LEDs. The three blue and three white chips each have 3 watts. Meanwhile, the light has a beam of 60-degrees for optimal coverage in a compact body.

The durable housing is also a plus that I like, making it ideal in a marine setting. Like most of the choices for LED flood lights for boats, it has a stainless steel bracket and aluminum alloy housing. The polycarbonate lens is equally impressive.

• Color-changing mode for versatility
• Optimal beam coverage even in a small body
• Durable construction that handles marine environments
• Interferes with radio frequency
• Cumbersome installation of the mounting bracket

If you are searching for spreader lights for T-top, this is another option worth considering. This is specifically an impressive pick for small boats. With its rectangular bar design, it is space-efficient.

Despite being compact, it has terrific light output. It packs 3-watt LEDs for impressive illumination despite its size. I have seen brighter lights but given its dimensions, this is an amazing product. The best thing is that despite the high output, it has a low amperage draw. It is energy-efficient, so it does not drain the battery.

More so, I also commend this product because of the swivel mount design. The light is not fixed in a single direction. Instead, you can rotate the mount and direct the beam exactly where you need illumination.

One of the most important features of spreader lights is their tough construction. Otherwise, it is easily damaged by water and other marine elements. Luckily, this spreader light has an IP67 waterproof rating. The 316 stainless steel hardware and aluminum housing also protect against wear.

• Space-efficient rectangular design for small boats
• Low amperage draw for energy efficiency
• Swivel mounting bracket to direct light where it is needed
• Low-grade supplied screws
• Size is too small for some decks

One of the best features of this light is Deck Sweep technology, which is also present in this model. It increases the coverage of usable light, making it up to two times larger compared to what you will find in most of its competitors!

LED floodlights are constantly exposed to the sun and water. Rust, corrosion, and other damages are visible in the long run. The good thing is that this light has a powder-coated housing, which shields against wear. Plus, it has been through salt spray testing for over 2,000 hours to prove its rigorous construction.

Installing this spreader light won’t require too much time and effort. With basic tools and a bit of patience to spare, I can complete the assembly in no time. I prefer bracket mounts over a flush mount since it is easier to connect.

At first, I was skeptical about this model because it only has three lights. Then, I was surprised at how bright it is at 1,000 lumens. I also like how it is compatible with a dimmer, although you need to purchase the latter separately. This way, you can adjust the brightness depending on what is suitable for a specific situation.

• Powder-coated housing for protection from wear
• Provides twice the usable light you will find in other models
• Easy installation with its bracket mount
• Compatible with a third-party dimmer
• Not for people on a budget

A quick look at the technical specifications of this spreader light is already a compelling reason to believe that it delivers top-notch performance. It has three rows of LEDs with a maximum light output of 25,000 lumens and a power of 240 watts. All in all, there are 80 bulbs, including 20 spot LEDs and 60 spot LEDs. It lights at a wide-angle for larger coverage.

Aside from its incredible brightness, one more thing I love in this light is the adjustable mount. I can move it in any direction that I prefer. Whether you need light on the right or left side of the boat, the mount is quick to adjust.

A common problem in high-output spreader lights is that they get extremely hot. In this product, there is an oversized aluminum heat sink for temperature management. It improves ventilation to minimize heat.

The polycarbonate lens is also notable. It enhances light transmission and reduces optical loss. It also protects the LEDs from external damages, extending its lifespan to up to 50,000 hours. The lens and other parts are tightly sealed, providing military-grade waterproofing. It has an IP68 rating, which makes it submersible at up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

• Large angle beam for wide illumination
• Adjustable mount to customize the light position
• Built-in heat sink for excellent temperature management
• Long-lasting polycarbonate lens enhances light transmission
• Mounting bracket easily loosens

This set of two-piece T-top spreader lights have a power output of 18 watts and a working voltage of 10 to 35V DC. It fits on both 12V and 24V outlets. Each light has six LEDs equipped with a high-powered chip. The beam angle is 60 degrees for optimal coverage. Looking at its technical specifications, it has a color temperature of 600K. This means that it emits cool white light.

Like many of the top-rated options for marine spreader lights, it has IP67 construction. With a sealed housing, the components are protected from dust, rain, and snow, among other things that can speed up wear. The rubber ring seal shields the LEDs from different damaging factors. Plus, it also has a powder coating, which protects against scratches.

Speaking of its construction, it is remarkable because of its polycarbonate lens, which is virtually unbreakable. This is a resilient material ideal even in the most demanding settings, such as marine environments. With its high-impact resistance, it protects the LEDs against damages.

The advanced heat sink is also worth mentioning. Like many of the lights I reviewed in this article, it dissipates heat. It allows better circulation to minimize overheating. More than staying cool, it also prolongs the lifespan of the LEDs.

• Sealed housing offers dust and water protection
• Powder-coated housing improves scratch resistance
• Almost unbreakable polycarbonate lens
• Hardware is prone to rust

The perfect LED spreader lights produce exceptional brightness without being power-hungry. That is exactly what you can expect from this product. This 6-inch 18-watt LED has six Epistar bulbs that generate up to 1,170 lumens. While it is bright, it is energy-efficient. With its minimal power consumption, your battery will last long!

To maximize the performance of the spreader lights, it has deep reflector cups. I like it as it allows light to amplify as it bounces as a result of reflection. The innovative lens surface is also commendable, which enhances light transmission.

If you are still having doubts about this product, you might have a change of mind after learning about the one-year warranty. Even better, it has a two-month satisfaction warranty. If you are unhappy in any way, let the manufacturer know and they will issue an unconditional refund.

I love that I can enjoy all of its features without spending a lot! It is one of the most economical options on my list. Even on a budget, this spreader light does not fail to impress.

• Bright output with minimal power consumption
• Has reflector cups to maximize brightness
• Economical despite being feature-packed
• Comes with a satisfaction guarantee for your peace of mind
• Water easily penetrates

This white and blue spreader light offers dual-color technology, so you can easily choose which one is suitable for a specific situation or application. There is a toggle switch to change solid colors as you prefer.

I also love how it has large cooling fins, which is a common feature I find in high-quality spreader lights. This provides a bigger space for heat dissipation. It keeps the light cool even with extended use, which also prolongs the functional life of the bulbs.

To keep dust, water, and dirt outside of the internal parts, this spreader light has IP68 sealed components. I can submerge it in 1.5-meter water for half an hour without worrying about damages. The housing, lens, and driver are all watertight.

For your peace of mind, it is also good to know that it passed the strictest tests to guarantee quality and performance. It was submerged in water for over 1,000 hours, proving that it survives harsh conditions. The hardware has 100% stainless steel construction, which also ensures its longevity.

Speaking of its construction, I also like the dual-core marine wire, which is thick enough to withstand damages. Even the tinned wire is designed to handle extreme conditions.

• Sealed components protect against damages
• Passed strict tests to ensure quality
• Dual-color technology for versatility
• Installation is a bit confusing

A spreader light is a type of marine lighting installed on the spreader of a sailboat. It was originally used as courtesy lighting, installed in the sailboat mast and folding down. It functions very much like a floodlight.

In recent years, however, it is a general term for any type of deck boat lighting. It is not used for navigation . Rather, the main purpose is deck illumination, making it easier to do things when in the dark.

Spreader lights are built to function with almost any type of marine set-up. It provides optimal illumination while consuming minimal power so that you can conserve the battery and use it for other purposes. From radar arches to T-tops, it is a versatile addition to any boat.

One of the best ways to differentiate marine spreader lights is based on their bulbs.

• LED Spreader Light: The products I mentioned in this guide all belong to this group. They are powered by LED bulbs, which are known for being energy-efficient and long-lasting. They are not the brightest, but they are known for being eco-friendly.
• Halogen Spreader Light: If you are looking for more powerful marine spreader lights, halogen is a good option. It is cheaper than LED, but it consumes more power. It is also prone to hotspots.

If you are looking for more convincing reasons to buy marine spreader lights, below are some of its best benefits:

• Versatile: These lights are not just for boats. Many of them are multifunctional, which you can use even in off-road vehicles and gardens, among other applications.
• Energy-Efficiency: LED spreader lights are bright without consuming too much power. It is a great way to save battery while having the illumination that you need.
• Long-lasting: Most of the products I reviewed have a 50,000-hour lifespan. Even though the years, LED lights deliver dependable performance.
• Convenience: It is a lot more convenient to move on the deck when you have a spreader light.
• Safety: Lights illuminate the deck so that you can move safely. It also helps the boat to become more visible.

Nonetheless, it also has several drawbacks, including the following:

• The difficulty of installation: Depending on the brand and model of the spreader lights, installation can be tricky.
• Expensive: One reason why a lot of people do not use spreader lights is the assumption that it is an unnecessary expense. Not to mention, top-notch products are often costly.
• Eye Fatigue: Whether the light is too bright or too dim, it can cause eye fatigue. This is especially true if you directly look at the beam.

Here are some of the most important considerations to help you narrow down the possibilities.

This refers to the light output of the spreader light, which is measured in lumens. The higher the rating, the brighter the light is. Based on the products I listed in this review, it can be anywhere from 1,000 to 25,000 lumens. Also, look at the number of LED bulbs in the light as it is also influential in its brightness.

Some spreader lights are equipped with reflector cups. This is a shiny material that is usually made of aluminum that you will find inside the housing. It allows light to bounce and maximize its brightness.

Brighter isn’t always better. In many instances, being too bright can be a bad thing. The light creates a blinding effect. This can be inconvenient and cause eye fatigue. It also causes excessive heat.

Angle of Illumination

Aside from brightness, another important light output consideration is the angle of illumination. From the lights above, the angle is anywhere from 50 to 170 degrees. If you intend to use it as a spotlight , then it should have a narrow beam. On the other hand, as a floodlight, you will need a wider beam, which also means a larger coverage.

Dimmability

It is good if you can dim the spreader light, making it useful in different situations. Most of these lights will not have a built-in dimmer. Instead, they are compatible with a third-party dimmer, which you must purchase separately. Dimmable lights are good to add ambiance to the deck.

The overall quality of the spreader light depends on the materials used. From the products I listed in this guide, the die-cast aluminum housing is the most common. It is lightweight and dustproof. A rubber seal is also commonly present for protection from external elements. More so, for the hardware, stainless steel is a popular choice. As for the lens, a polycarbonate lens is the usual material.

Considering the design of the spreader light goes beyond aesthetics. Pick one that combines both form and function. One of the most important is to be designed with large fins. This improves air circulation and heat dissipation. As a result, the light stays cool even when it is on for an extended time.

Versatility

To be versatile, the marine spreader light must be usable beyond a single application. Some are designed to function even in off-road vehicles. Being versatile also means that you will have different options on how and where to mount the light on your boat. This is a great way to enjoy the best bang for the buck.

Another thing that makes a spreader light versatile is its movable design. While the bracket is fixed, the light can be moved up or down depending on where you would like to direct the beam. This makes sure that the beam goes exactly where you want it to be.

Waterproofing

The top-rated marine LED spreader lights are waterproof. Since they are meant to be installed on boats, they must withstand the harsh marine environments. Otherwise, the light is easily damaged. Look for IP67 or IP68 rating. A sealed construction is a must to prevent the water from penetrating the internal components.

More than being waterproof, the spreader light needs to be durable. It is a long-term investment, so it should withstand the test of time. It should resist rust, corrosion, and discoloration. A shatterproof lens is also a must, which will protect the bulbs from damage.

To be durable, a lot of the spreader lights go through quality tests. For instance, spreader lights from Lumitec go through salt spray testing for thousands of hours. This proves the ability of the light to withstand the harsh marine environment where saltwater can easily wreak havoc to boat lighting.

Installation

Pick a spreader light that guarantees effortless installation. The package must have all the necessary mounting hardware, including brackets and screws. It must also come with detailed instructions from the manufacturer. If possible, there should be a diagram to make everything clearer.

I am talking about the color of the light output and not the color of the housing. White, blue, and red are the most common colors available. Some spreader lights have interchangeable colors, which you can instantly activate with a flick of a switch.

Blue LED spreader lights are good for ambiance. Red, on the other hand, is great if you want a light that does not interfere with your night vision. For the brightest possible output, you can never go wrong with white.

for your peace of mind, consider the warranty coverage the manufacturer offers. At a minimum, the warranty should be one-year. Aside from the warranty, some manufacturers also offer a satisfaction guarantee. Within a specific period, if you are unsatisfied with the light, you can return it and you will receive a full refund.

Over time, marine LED spreader lights attract dirt and dust. Not to mention, the harsh heat of the sun and saltwater make the light prone to damage. To keep the spreader lights in their peak condition, below are some of the best things to do:

• Start by considering the material of the spreader light, especially the housing. Your choice of cleaning materials and methods depend on the material used. For instance, using detergents and commercial cleaners in aluminum housing can cause discoloration.
• Read the manual from the manufacturer and follow the instructions religiously. Pay attention to any warning about the cleaning materials to avoid.
• Regularly clean the spreader light, especially the lens. You can use car headlight restoration kits to clean dirt and debris on the lens. Use a soft-bristled brush and avoid abrasives to prevent scratches on the surface.
• Position the spreader light properly. Do not use it outdoors if it is not waterproof. Aside from rain damage, it can also become a safety hazard.

Who makes the best marine LED spreader lights?

Lumitec, AMBOTHER, EXZEIT, Jiawill, and Taco LED spreader lights are some of the most reputable manufacturers. They offer a wide selection of deck lighting products that will make boating safer and more enjoyable!

How to mount?

The design of the spreader light will dictate how it is installed. Generally, here’s what you should do:

• Choose where exactly you like to position the light. Consider the clearance as well, making sure that you won’t bump your head into the light.
• Install the bracket. You need a drill to create a mounting hole. Slide the bolt into the bracket to secure its position.
• Add the spreader light to the bracket. Connect the screw that attaches the light to the mount and tighten it. Wiggle the light, making sure that it is positioned tightly.
• For flush-mount LED spreader lights, there’s no need to install the bracket. Instead, it has a direct installation on the surface.
• Connect the wire to the power source. Run it to the battery or add an extension if the wire is too short. You also need to add a toggle switch to power the light on or off or to change the colors as needed.

What is the difference between a spreader light and a floodlight?

While both are popular types of boat lighting, they are different in terms of installation location. A floodlight is mounted on the console next to the navigation system. A spreader light, on the other hand, is installed on the spreader of the sailboat mast. Although in recent years, it is installed almost anywhere, making it interchangeable with floodlights.

Where can I buy it?

The best place to buy marine LED spreader light is online. Check out websites like Amazon, Walmart, and Home Depot. Visit the websites of the manufacturers if you want to purchase directly. The best thing about buying online is that you can compare more options and read reviews.

The best marine LED spreader lights are must-haves for any boat! It illuminates the deck. Whether you are hosting friends or getting your fishing gear ready, a spreader light provides brighter surroundings!

While there are different types of spreader lights, I prefer LED because it is energy-efficient and long-lasting. Keep an eye on the products I reviewed above, and it is hard to go wrong!

I am passionate about water sports and technical fields, so combining both makes me interested in making contents about boat accessories. With my partner, we went on many trips and sports games together, which led us to think about how we can spread our joys and passions to many people.

Boating Basics Online is reader-supported. When you buy via our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more

The Best Marine LED Spreader Lights for Every Types of Boats

Written by J. Harvey / Fact checked by S. Numbers

Boaters would agree that the deck is one of the most important parts of a boat. It’s where you stay when docking your boat. The best marine LED spreader lights can light up the whole deck so you can work safely and easier. If you wonder how to get them, here are some important points to take note of so you can have a worthy purchase.

• Brightness and Angle of Illumination

The brightness of marine spreader lights is what every buyer looks for. It’s based on the light output that can be measured by lumens. A thousand or more lumens are what you can depend on. The number of LED bulbs inside the light also makes a difference in the brightness.

Some spreader lights include reflector cups, which are usually made of shiny aluminum. These cups maximize the brightness and make the light bounce. However, check out for the right brightness as excessive light can be blinding. The light angle is important too, and it should be around 50 to 170 degrees.

If you want a floodlight, you have to find a light that has a wider beam as this means wide coverage. Opt for something with a narrow beam if you would like to have a spotlight .

• Versatility

When boat spreader lights are versatile, they can be found in various applications. Some are even added on the off-road vehicles. This description also means that there are different mounting options. Some have a movable design as the bracket can be moved up and down for the beam direction that you prefer.

• Waterproofing and Durability

Waterproofing is essential for marine lights as they are exposed to a harsh marine environment. IP67 or IP68 ratings are expected to block water from getting into the lights. This matter has something to do with the casing’s durability. The lights should be protected from corrosion, rust, discoloration, and other kinds of damages. Some go through salt spray testing to ensure durability and a long lifespan.

• Trouble-free Installation

Who doesn’t want to skip the separate purchase of necessary hardware? A complete set LED spreader light means convenience as you don’t need to search for what you need to finish the installation. Apart from not spending more money, you can save time and effort if the light fits into your existing light mount.

These features are found in the following items. Pros and cons are also laid out so you can choose the one that’s best for you.

• One-year warranty
• Enhances visibility

• Waterproof and dust-proof
• Very bright and clean-looking
• Suitable in various applications

• Cuts through the water
• Broad-distributed light beam
• Can commit to long-term service

Table of Contents

1. EXZEIT Waterproof LED Boat Lights

2. wfpower 2pcs boat light, 3. exzeit waterproof led boat lights, 4. lumitec caprera2 led spreader and deck flood lights, 5. wave one marine dual color led spreader light, 6. kawell k5-5118 slim led work light bar, 7. jiawill dual color marine led spreader, factors to consider when choosing marine led spreader lights, how do i install marine led spreader lights, what is the difference between a spreader light and a flood light, will the marine led spreader get hot or generate heat, top 7 marine led spreader light reviews.

These are the most suitable LED spreader lights for me as they guide me with the entire docking process. I have them on my pontoon and fishing boat. Since they have a universal fit, you can add them to any other vessel. Others use these even for tractor cabs and heavy-duty vehicles. You may also see them in construction sites, camping, and emergency use.

I’m fascinated that they’re super bright for enhancing visibility when I go night fishing and hunting. Based on their abilities, spearfishing at night is productive. It’s not surprising as they cover 120 degrees of illumination. LED lights are the superior choice because they draw less energy.

In terms of durability, these are also spectacular due to the aluminum alloy housing. The material promises sturdiness, which liberates me from worrying about rust and corrosion. Hence, these lights have shown robustness against the harsh marine environment as well as bad weather conditions. Even a saltwater environment can’t weaken them.

Their durability is proven by a one-year replacement warranty. But I think I do not need it as they’ve shown greatness in both brightness and sturdiness. The installation didn’t give me a hard time as I was able to complete it in five minutes.

• Has universal fit so it’s on various kinds of vessel and vehicles
• Enhances visibility with 120 degrees illumination
• Durable because of aluminum alloy housing
• Can withstand rust, corrosion, saltwater environment, and bad weather conditions
• Has one-year replacement warranty
• Better to replace the powder-coated or painted U-shaped spreader light mounting bracket

I don’t want to waste my money on incandescent lights that burst after a short while. The awesome description convinced me to buy these lights and to my delight, it’s not just a bluff. I can say it’s worth every penny. First and foremost, they’re very bright and docking at night is no longer a struggle. The brightness is clean-looking and nice. I wish I had bought them earlier to avoid spending so much money.

I also place a pair of these lights on my fishing tower. One faces downward and the other is in the straight position for projecting the illumination to the front. I was fascinated that my neighbor who’s in a rescue team also uses WFPOWER lights in the boats at work. In effect, they are suitable for various applications. Besides vehicles, they’re used in heavy equipment, military, mining, and more.

These LED spreader lights for boats have a sturdy construction that makes them last for years. I understand why there’s an ample amount of light because of the reflector cups. Finding their abilities the most favorable since they are waterproof, anti-corrosion, rust-proof, and dust-proof. Even though they are surrounded by salt air most of the time, these lights are bare of corrosion.

The challenging part in having these lights is the installation, especially for those who have big hands. The washers and nuts may be too tiny for some but I have some techniques to ease things out. I hold those hardware parts for the slot while adding the bolts.

• The light is very bright, nice, and clean-looking
• Have a sturdy construction that can last for years
• Waterproof, anti-corrosion, rust-proof, and dust-proof
• Remains tough even surrounded by salt air
• Has universal flush mount design
• The bolts and washers are too tiny for those who have big hands

I feel lucky in finding this pair of LED lights . They’re better than what I had before. The previous spreader lights were so bright in the center while the outer part was dim. As you can imagine, it was unpleasant. I can’t help but admire these LED boat spreader lights as the flood is evenly distributed.

This is also the perfect example of a floodlight because it can illuminate almost all areas where you mount it. The broad beam light seems impossible! It’s a great aid during docking and going fishing or hunting at night. When the crack of dawn comes, it’s also helpful to see things around me while crossing the waters. It can even cut through the water to show you trees or stumps and other obstructions along the way.

The housing of these LED lights is terrific as well. It’s the reason why it can commit to long-term service. I’m not pestered by rust or corrosion as it’s not easily damaged. Amazingly, it remains tough against the harsh environment. Since I have used it many times, I can testify to the authenticity of its waterproof ability. Hence, it’s for marine use without a doubt.

• Has evenly, a broad distributed light beam
• A perfect example of floodlight as it illuminates all areas
• Cuts through the water to let you see things under it
• Waterproof and tough in facing a harsh environment
• Includes stainless steel mounting parts
• Need more time when working on bolts using a wrench

I knew that these Lumitec spreader lights were of high quality from the moment I laid my eyes on them. I chose them to replace a light from the same company that lasted for a decade. They’re functional as they’re super bright with even and wide coverage.

They are dual-colored, delivering blue and white lights. I like how I can easily control the dimming mode. Just a quick flip of the switch and I can put them in a dimmed state. Not flipping the switch quickly will lead you to max lumen setting.

I have them on my 20-feet center console and they shine like the ability of two halogen bulbs. They are compact and work as T top spreader lights. I mounted them on the aft and forward sections. Installation is pretty simple and you can accomplish it in no time.

You’ll be impressed to see the illumination, which is similar to having headlights. Nevertheless, they are gentle to the eyes and you won’t be distracted by the brightness. That’s why they make night fishing productive. But if you want to have daylight illumination, you need to mount more than one light.

• Functional and super bright with even, wide coverage
• Dual colored and can switch to light output and dim mode
• Pretty simple installation
• Compact with the brightness that is gentle to the eyes
• Withstands salt water and rigorous environments
• Has IP67 waterproof rating and 3-year warranty
• Need to use more than one light to create a daylight illumination

This is my favorite boat light so far. Why not? I’m amazed by its ability to give off white light and change into a soft blue hue. But I must say that I like the blue light the most. It depends on your preference as the white light is perfect too because you can’t see any yellowing. Although it has a dual function, it draws out less energy and doesn’t overheat.

Another thing that made me happy about this product is its price. It has a brightness similar to its expensive counterparts. Expect a floodlight on your deck that aids the dock effectively. In my case, I use it as spreader lights for T top, and there are two lights behind the tower.

Moreover, it has a high waterproof rating and it’s for real based on my observations. It’s even submersible but I choose to mount it in my boat. Due to its high quality, it can last for a long time. I’m a witness to how it survives saltwater and UV rays. There are other essential parts included when purchasing this light. They are stainless steel hardware and hex wrench you can use for adjustments.

• Can give off white and blue lights
• Draws less energy and doesn’t overheat
• With the brightness of a floodlight
• Has a high waterproof rating
• Can survive salt water and UV rays
• Easy retrofit installation with free hardware and hex wrench
• Delay when switching of light color in a matter of seconds

The supreme brightness coming from this marine LED light bar is impressive. I was in awe to see its visibility even on sunny days. Apart from brightness, I like the color temperature as well. The LED effects are blended with some warmth. Once you mount it high, the light floods in a broad scope and even distribution.

The lens surface causes the great light transmission that’s enhanced by the deep reflector cup. You may see this light bar in numerous vehicles but it’s suitable as sailboat spreader lights too. While it holds up against the abuse of off-road riding and some highway riding, it can also live through the harshness of marine use and bad weather. Thanks to its aluminum alloy casing!

Due to the casing, this light becomes waterproof, quake-proof, and dust-proof. Furthermore, I don’t overthink about corrosion and rust. These are the reasons that allow it to last for years. It’s indeed durable and strong because it’s supported by a one-year warranty and a 2-month service refund.

With its wonderful abilities, it can take the roles of a reverse light, back-up light, running light, garden light, auxiliary lamp, and more.

• Has supreme brightness that’s even visible on sunny days
• Light has a broad scope and even distribution
• Lives through the harshness of marine use and bad weather
• Waterproof, quake-proof, dust-proof and anti-corrosive
• Durable with a one-year warranty and 2-month service refund
• In various applications
• Extra work to line up the nuts and screws

I’ve tried several mountable marine lights and salt spreader lights but I’m only pleased with this product. It has the features that I need to sustain visibility on my deck. Since it’s LED, it appears very bright but consumes less energy. Even with frequent sailing, no issues have bothered me. I have two lights in my boat and they serve well as docking lights.

There are color combination options, such as blue and white as well as blue and red. Naturally, you’ll get two lights in a single purchase but both of them can start working after one-time installation. Despite color variations, all of them are super bright as there are six pieces of LED. I get sufficient light from it because of the 60-degree beam that is the same as boat flood lights.

The entire construction of this spreader light is outstanding. The aluminum alloy housing can stay tough even exposed to bad weather conditions and the marine environment. Even the stainless steel mounting brackets are superb. They’re not just the painted steel that corrodes and flakes off after using them a few times.

• Very bright but consumes less energy with a 60-degree beam
• No issues arise despite frequent use
• Has two color combinations to choose from
• Has outstanding construction
• Stays tough even exposed to bad weather conditions and marine environment
• Not demanding installation with quality parts
• Some RF noise after installation

You’ll see different LED spreader lights if you look for them in stores. Many of them bear unique features, shapes, sizes, and functions. You may fail to tell their uniqueness when you only look at the appearance. To improve your perception regarding this marine item, get to know the following types:

• Deck light or halogen spreader
• Spreader light or octane LED tower
• LED mini lightbar
• Deck light or deck spreader
• Vertical rail mount
• Horizontal rail mount
• Marine LED flood lights and spreader lights
• Adjustable or fixed LED spreader lights for boats

Benefits of using LED spreader lights

LED spreader lights are mainly practical, useful, and beneficial. Every user would be happier to know the other perks from using them.

• They’re energy-efficient as they consume less energy than other types of lights.
• Since they’re versatile, you can find them in outdoor and indoor use. In addition, they’re suitable for water vessels and vehicles.
• Installation of spreader lights is easy.
• They can deliver an ample amount of light which is essential to any purpose. Using them is one way of preventing collisions and accidents.
• They are items that are used conveniently and safely even at night.
• Generally, they’re made of durable and solid housing with nice heat dissipation. This is for long-term usage.
• There’s no need for bulb replacement from time to time due to their long life span. Initially, you may think they’re expensive. But if you calculate the price with the length of service, you’ll find out that they’re economical.

Some drawbacks:

• Installation of spreader lights is not the same all the time. Various models and brands come with a specific design. So, installing some of them can be tricky.
• Bright or dim lights can cause eye fatigue. It’s all in your hands if you allow this adverse effect or not because it will only happen if you look at the lights directly for a long time.

• Determine the height distance by holding the light to the bar.
• Then, remove the batteries when you dry run the wires. This is a step before cutting them and you must leave 12 inches for each edge. Make sure to use marine wires to curtail corrosion and saltwater switches.
• When mounting the bracket, do it with a metal drill bit. You’re free to do it horizontally or vertically and just make sure that you securely tighten it. Next, you can run the wires from the light to the power source. This part also includes linking and switching on the edges of the LED light wires.

To ensure that moisture can’t get into the lights, you have to use heat shrink connectors. These can be easily found in marine shops or online stores.

• When you’re done connecting the wires, link the battery to the light with utmost care before you try on the switch. You’ll see the light burn if the polarity is correct. Once everything works as expected, you can gain the illumination that you need. However, don’t look at this light directly as your eyes can be irritated or impaired.

Both spreader light and flood light are popular but there are differences between them. Floodlights are typically mounted on the console that is beside the navigation system. On the other hand, spreader lights are located at the sailboat mast. Things change in recent years and a spreader light is just installed in any part of the boat. That’s why it’s sometimes viewed as a flood light.

The notion that LEDs found in spreader lights don’t generate heat is a misconception. Just like other types of light, LEDs do generate heat. When diodes release light, some of them are converted to heat.

Traditional lights produce heat through IR or infrared radiation. It’s the reason why these bulbs get hot quickly. But it’s different with LED lights since they can operate even with low watts. This is an implication that less heat is produced. Moreover, they will be cooler if you put them straight up or down.

When you put them sideways, you have to ensure that the operating temperature is within the normal range. Typically, 95% of energy is converted into light while 5% becomes heat in a LED light. Therefore, LEDs generate heat but not as much as other lights.

The best marine LED spreader lights have become renowned in the boating industry because of their low amp draw, super brightness, and extended lifespan. The durable casing delivers a robust construction that makes these lights invulnerable to the marine environment and bad weather conditions. With all these qualities, docking and other boating tasks become possible even in the dark.

“I am James Harvey – founder of Boating Basics Online. It is established with the drive to help out first-time boaters, which are those desiring to explore their way through the water. So if you are new to boating, start from here with me. “

Best Marine LED Spreader Lights

The pos­si­bil­i­ties for light­ing up your boat are vir­tu­al­ly end­less. From a sim­ple light bar to a more elab­o­rate light­ing sys­tem, there are plen­ty of options avail­able. LED spread­er lights are one of the most pop­u­lar choic­es for boat own­ers, and for good rea­son. They pro­vide more than just illu­mi­na­tion, they also enhance the look of your boat. In this arti­cle, we’ll dis­cuss them and the fea­tures to look for when choos­ing one.

Table of Con­tents

The best marine LED spread­er lights are those that are designed for marine use, mean­ing they are water­proof, shock­proof, and cor­ro­sion-resis­tant. They should also be bright, long-last­ing, and ener­gy-effi­cient, pro­vid­ing a con­sis­tent and reli­able light source. They are great for light­ing up larg­er areas, such as decks and docks, and they can be adjust­ed to pro­vide a wide range of light­ing angles. They are gen­er­al­ly more afford­able than tra­di­tion­al halo­gen lights.

• Seasense LED Deck Spread­er Light : Known for its high-inten­si­ty out­put and low pow­er draw. It’s resis­tant to cor­ro­sion and water­proof, mak­ing it suit­able for the marine envi­ron­ment.
• T‑Toplights LED Spread­er Light : This light is designed to be mount­ed on the T‑top of a boat. It’s ener­gy-effi­cient, has high out­put, and comes with a durable hous­ing that’s resis­tant to cor­ro­sion.
• Jiaw­ill Cree LED Marine Spread­er Light : This light uses Cree LED tech­nol­o­gy, ensur­ing high bright­ness with low­er pow­er con­sump­tion. It’s also designed with stain­less steel mount­ing hard­ware and has a lifes­pan of over 30,000 hours.
• North Amer­i­can Sig­nal LEDQ375‑A Class 1 LED High Pow­er Warn­ing Light : This light has a high out­put, is water­proof, and is designed to with­stand harsh envi­ron­ments. It’s per­fect for use on marine ves­sels and comes with a five-year war­ran­ty.
• Part­sam 2pcs Water­proof Boat Marine Lights : These lights are not only bright but are also water­proof, ensur­ing they can with­stand harsh marine con­di­tions. They are easy to install and have a low pow­er draw.

When select­ing marine LED spread­er lights, it is impor­tant to con­sid­er the area that needs to be illu­mi­nat­ed. LEDs are avail­able in a range of wattages, so it is impor­tant to choose the right one for the job. Addi­tion­al­ly, look for lights with adjustable mount­ing brack­ets and beam angles, so you can cus­tomize the light’s spread and posi­tion. You should also con­sid­er the col­or tem­per­a­ture of the light, as well as its beam width, lumens, and CRI rat­ing. Final­ly, be sure to check the war­ran­ty and tech­ni­cal sup­port offered by the man­u­fac­tur­er.

What are Marine LED Spreader Lights?

They are a type of boat light­ing that is typ­i­cal­ly used to light up larg­er areas. They are designed to spread the light in mul­ti­ple direc­tions, pro­vid­ing more illu­mi­na­tion to the sur­round­ing area. LED spread­er lights are typ­i­cal­ly mount­ed on the deck of the boat, and can be used for both func­tion­al light­ing and dec­o­ra­tive light­ing.

Benefits of Marine LED Spreader Lights

There are sev­er­al ben­e­fits to installing LED spread­er lights on your boat. They are more effi­cient than oth­er types of light­ing, which means they use less ener­gy and last longer. They also pro­duce less heat, mak­ing them safer to use in marine envi­ron­ments.

• Increased vis­i­bil­i­ty and safe­ty : pro­duce a bright, white light that helps to illu­mi­nate the area around a boat, mak­ing it eas­i­er to see obsta­cles and oth­er boats.
• Improved effi­cien­cy : use sig­nif­i­cant­ly less ener­gy than tra­di­tion­al halo­gen bulbs, which helps to reduce pow­er con­sump­tion and save fuel.
• Longer life : much longer life than tra­di­tion­al halo­gen bulbs, with some esti­mat­ed to last up to 50,000 hours.
• Low main­te­nance : require very lit­tle main­te­nance, mak­ing them an excel­lent choice for marine appli­ca­tions.
• Dura­bil­i­ty : high­ly durable and resis­tant to cor­ro­sion, mak­ing them suit­able for even the harsh­est marine envi­ron­ments.

They can be used to light up decks, docks, or oth­er areas of your boat. They are also much brighter than tra­di­tion­al halo­gen lights, allow­ing you to see bet­ter in low-light con­di­tions.

Types of Marine LED Spreader Lights

There are sev­er­al dif­fer­ent types of marine LED spread­er lights avail­able. The most pop­u­lar type is the LED flood light, which is designed to spread light over a large area. They are anoth­er pop­u­lar option, as they are designed to con­cen­trate light in a spe­cif­ic area. There are also LED strip lights, which are great for pro­vid­ing accent light­ing in small spaces.

• Deck Lights : These are spread­er lights specif­i­cal­ly designed to illu­mi­nate the deck of the boat. They’re great for night fish­ing, dock­ing, or any oth­er activ­i­ties that require a well-lit deck.
• T‑Top Lights : These spread­er lights are designed to be mount­ed on the T‑top of a boat. They cast a wide beam of light, illu­mi­nat­ing a large area beneath them.
• Under­wa­ter Lights : While not tra­di­tion­al­ly con­sid­ered spread­er lights, under­wa­ter LED lights serve a sim­i­lar pur­pose, illu­mi­nat­ing the water beneath and around the boat. They’re par­tic­u­lar­ly pop­u­lar on sport fish­ing boats.
• Dock­ing Lights : These spread­er lights are designed to aid in dock­ing. They pro­vide illu­mi­na­tion for­ward of the boat, help­ing the pilot nav­i­gate in low-light con­di­tions.
• Flood­lights : These are high-inten­si­ty LED lights designed to flood a large area with light. They’re often used on larg­er boats where a sig­nif­i­cant amount of illu­mi­na­tion is required.

Marine LED spread er lights are light fix­tures that are designed to pro­vide a wide area of illu­mi­na­tion in the marine envi­ron­ment . They are typ­i­cal­ly mount­ed on the deck or else­where on the out­side of the boat and can be used to pro­vide gen­er­al light­ing , as well as improve vis­i­bil­i­ty in fog or dark­ness . Marine LED spread er lights are typ­i­cal­ly avail­able in a vari­ety of sizes , watt ages , col­ors , and types , includ­ing spot lights , flood lights , and com­bi­na­tion lights . They are also designed to be high­ly durable and weath­er resis­tant , mak­ing them an ide­al choice for bo aters look­ing to light up the night .

Features to Look For in Marine LED Spreader Lights

When shop­ping for marine LED spread­er lights, there are sev­er­al fea­tures to con­sid­er. It’s impor­tant to look for lights that are durable and water­proof, as they will be exposed to the ele­ments. Look for lights with adjustable mount­ing brack­ets, as this will allow you to cus­tomize the place­ment of the lights.

• Waterproof/Weatherproof Rat­ing : rat­ed IP68 or high­er, so they can with­stand the ele­ments of the sea.
• Lumens : pro­duce a high lumen out­put, so you can see clear­ly when nav­i­gat­ing in the dark.
• Dura­bil­i­ty : con­struct­ed from qual­i­ty mate­ri­als and are built to last.
• Adjusta­bil­i­ty : adjust­ed for wider or nar­row­er beams of light.
• Col­or Tem­per­a­ture : offer a range of col­or tem­per­a­tures, so you can cus­tomize your light­ing to match your needs.
• Instal­la­tion : easy to install and require min­i­mal main­te­nance.

Also, con­sid­er the wattage of the lights, as this will deter­mine the bright­ness of the lights. If You need more pow­er read about led light bars .

Best Marine LED Spreader Lights in 2023

The best marine LED spread er lights for begin­ners depend on the size of the boat and the type of light­ing desired . Some impor­tant fac­tors to con­sid­er when choos­ing them  include bright­ness , beam angle , and col­or tem­per­a­ture . Addi­tion­al­ly , it is impor­tant to con­sid­er the pow­er require­ments of the LED spread er lights and whether the lights are water­proof . LED spread er lights are designed to be low - main ten­ance and ener­gy - effi­cient , so they are an ide­al choice for begin­ners .

Lumitec Caprera2 LED Flood Light

The Lumitec Caprera2 LED Flood Light is one of the most pop­u­lar marine LED spread­er lights on the mar­ket. This light is designed to be ener­gy effi­cient and long last­ing, and it pro­duces a bright, even light. The adjustable mount­ing brack­ets make it easy to cus­tomize the place­ment of the light, and it is also water­proof and cor­ro­sion resis­tant.

Aqua Signal Series 50 LED Spreader Light

The Aqua Sig­nal Series 50 LED Spread­er Light is a great option for those look­ing for a reli­able, high-qual­i­ty light. This light is designed to be ener­gy effi­cient, and it pro­duces a bright, even light. It is also water­proof and cor­ro­sion-resis­tant, mak­ing it ide­al for marine envi­ron­ments. The adjustable mount­ing brack­et makes it easy to cus­tomize the place­ment of the light.

CST Lighting D‑Series LED Flood Light

The CST Light­ing D‑Series LED Flood Light is an excel­lent option for those look­ing for a reli­able, bright light. This light pro­duces a bright, even light and is designed to be ener­gy effi­cient. It is also water­proof and cor­ro­sion-resis­tant, mak­ing it ide­al for marine envi­ron­ments. The adjustable mount­ing brack­et makes it easy to cus­tomize the place­ment of the light.

Vision X Superwhite LED Spreader Light

The Vision X Super­white LED Spread­er Light is an excel­lent option for those look­ing for a bright, reli­able light. This light is designed to be ener­gy effi­cient and long last­ing, and it pro­duces a bright, even light. The adjustable mount­ing brack­et makes it easy to cus­tomize the place­ment of the light, and it is also water­proof and cor­ro­sion-resis­tant.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Marine LED Spreader Lights

When pur­chas­ing a marine LED spread­er light, there are a few things to con­sid­er. You should make sure that the light is designed for marine use and is water­proof and cor­ro­sion resis­tant. You should also con­sid­er the wattage of the light, as this will deter­mine the bright­ness of the light.

• Bright­ness : The main pur­pose of spread­er lights is to illu­mi­nate a large area, so it’s cru­cial to choose lights that are bright enough for your needs. Bright­ness in LED lights is often mea­sured in lumens, so look for this spec­i­fi­ca­tion when com­par­ing dif­fer­ent options.
• Dura­bil­i­ty : Marine envi­ron­ments can be harsh, so it’s essen­tial to choose lights that are stur­dy and built to last. Look for lights that are water-resis­tant, cor­ro­sion-resis­tant, and built with high-qual­i­ty mate­ri­als.
• Ener­gy Con­sump­tion : LED lights are known for their ener­gy effi­cien­cy, but there can still be some vari­a­tion between dif­fer­ent mod­els. Check the pow­er usage of any lights you’re con­sid­er­ing, espe­cial­ly if you’ll be using them for extend­ed peri­ods.
• Beam Angle : The beam angle of a light refers to the spread of light it pro­vides. A wider beam angle will cov­er a larg­er area but may be less intense, while a nar­row­er beam will be more focused and intense.
• Instal­la­tion and Mount­ing : Con­sid­er how the lights will be installed on your boat. Some lights come with all nec­es­sary mount­ing hard­ware, while oth­ers might require you to pur­chase addi­tion­al acces­sories. Also con­sid­er the size and shape of your boat and where the lights can be installed.
• Price : As with any pur­chase, price is a con­sid­er­a­tion. More expen­sive lights often offer bet­ter per­for­mance and dura­bil­i­ty, but there are also many afford­able options that can still meet your needs.

You should look for lights with adjustable mount­ing brack­ets, as this will allow you to cus­tomize the place­ment of the lights. You should con­sid­er the bud­get you have avail­able, as LED spread­er lights can vary in price.

What color LED lights are best for boats?

The best col­or LED lights for boats depend on the pur­pose of the lights. For nav­i­ga­tion, white lights are best because they pro­vide the most vis­i­bil­i­ty. For accent light­ing, blue or green lights are the most pop­u­lar choic­es. Red lights are often used as run­ning lights or to mark bound­aries.

The type of light­ing also mat­ters. LED strip lights are pop­u­lar for accent light­ing on boats because they are easy to install and pro­vide a wide range of col­ors. They are the best choice as they pro­vide a focused beam of light that can be seen from a dis­tance.

Installation

Installing marine LED spread­er lights is rel­a­tive­ly sim­ple. Most lights come with all the nec­es­sary hard­ware and instruc­tions for instal­la­tion. Before you begin, make sure to read the instruc­tions care­ful­ly and fol­low all safe­ty pre­cau­tions. If you are unsure of how to install the lights, it is best to con­sult a pro­fes­sion­al.

Care and Maintenance

To keep your marine LED spread­er lights in good work­ing con­di­tion, it is impor­tant to fol­low a few sim­ple main­te­nance tips. First, make sure to keep the lights clean and free of dirt and debris. You should also check the wiring and con­nec­tions reg­u­lar­ly, and make sure that they are tight and secure. Addi­tion­al­ly, you should inspect the lights for any dam­age or wear and tear. If you notice any issues, it is best to con­tact a pro­fes­sion­al to have the lights repaired or replaced.

Safety Tips

When using marine LED spread­er lights, it is impor­tant to fol­low a few safe­ty tips. First, make sure that the lights are installed prop­er­ly and secure­ly. Make sure to turn the lights off when not in use to avoid any poten­tial haz­ards. Keep the lights away from flam­ma­ble mate­ri­als, and nev­er leave the lights unat­tend­ed. Fol­low­ing these safe­ty tips will help ensure that your lights remain safe and secure.

What are the benefits of using marine LED spreader lights?

Marine LED spread­er lights offer many advan­tages. They are ener­gy-effi­cient, durable, and able to with­stand harsh marine envi­ron­ments. Their bright­ness can enhance vis­i­bil­i­ty on your boat, mak­ing it safer to nav­i­gate in low light con­di­tions. More­over, they have a longer lifes­pan com­pared to tra­di­tion­al light­ing options.

Are all marine LED spreader lights waterproof?

While most marine LED spread­er lights are designed to with­stand marine con­di­tions, not all of them may be ful­ly water­proof. It’s essen­tial to check the prod­uct spec­i­fi­ca­tions before mak­ing a pur­chase. Look for lights that are rat­ed as water­proof or water-resis­tant to ensure they can han­dle expo­sure to water.

How can I determine the brightness of a marine LED spreader light?

The bright­ness of LED lights is often mea­sured in lumens. The high­er the lumens, the brighter the light. When choos­ing a marine LED spread­er light, con­sid­er your spe­cif­ic light­ing needs based on the size of your boat and the typ­i­cal light­ing con­di­tions you nav­i­gate in.

Marine LED spread­er lights are a great way to light up your boat. They are more effi­cient than oth­er types of light­ing, and they pro­vide more illu­mi­na­tion in low-light con­di­tions. When shop­ping for marine LED spread­er lights, it’s impor­tant to con­sid­er the fea­tures and look for lights that are durable and water­proof. The Lumitec Caprera2 LED Flood Light, Aqua Sig­nal Series 50 LED Spread­er Light, CST Light­ing D‑Series LED Flood Light, and Vision X Super­white LED Spread­er Light are all great options.

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Spreader Light Test

Leds lead test field of 10 spreader and deck lights..

Sailors often have a love-hate relationship with spreader lights. On one hand, they can turn a dark deck into broad daylight, making whatever task is at hand easier to accomplish. But this abundance of illumination causes pupils to constrict and spoils night vision. Photopic (cone-based) vision dominates in daylight, while scotopic (rod-based) vision is the eyes response to darkness. It takes 30 to 45 minutes for eyes to fully adjust to the latter. If youre the helmsperson, overly bright or misdirected spreader lights can be a big problem.

Photos by Ralph Naranjo

The upside of spreader/deck lights is the reassuring bubble of glow that surrounds the boat. The downside is the pitch-black abyss that extends just beyond the perimeter of the deck. Prior to turning on the boats spreader light(s), the helmsman can usually discern shapes in the dark, see the horizon, and has a good chance of spotting other boats running lights in time to take evasive action. Unfortunately, when lots of light hits the deck, all of those important visual cues to collision avoidance tend to disappear.

In the last decade or so, marine light housings have changed, and a light emitting diode (LED) revolution is in full play. These are two of the reasons we decided to take a fresh look at deck illumination and the options available. In this round of spreader/deck light testing, weve taken a close look at lamp design, manufacturing approaches, and how each unit works. Weve bench tested each product and looked at how the light beam behaves at simulated spreader heights. Brightness has been measured, field of coverage quantified, and the current consumption tracked.

We found that too much light can be as much a detriment as too little, and that theres a fine art to illuminating the area from the mast step to the bowsprit, while keeping the helmsmans night vision intact. LED lights offered the best lumens-per-watt ratio in our tests, and when it comes to good waterproof longevity, we found that housings and brackets do matter.

The good old days of seeing a pair of chrome-plated Perko sealed beams perched under the cross trees are gone. There was a lot to like about those venerable sources of even lighting, but what caused concern was the 10-amp draw they demanded when switched into action. Smaller, but only slightly more energy-efficient quartz halogen bulbs chased sealed beams from the waterfront. And as LEDs entered the picture-and proved that they do a much better job of turning electrical energy into light, run cooler, last longer, and give a lighter, more compact deck illumination-the evolution became a revolution.

What We Tested The Doctor LED crew, based in Seattle, has been making marine LED lights and replacement bulbs for some time. The two products they sent us were the Kevin, an inline, four LED single-point, pivoting deck light, and the DaveX3, a low-profile, submersible puck-style light. From Forespar, a Southern California maker of a variety of marine products, we tested a cost-effective pair of mast-mounted deck lighting products: the ML-1 and ML-2. The lamps have injection-molded plastic housing and conform to the shape of the leading edge of the spar. Hella Marine, which is a worldwide marine lighting specialist headquartered in New Zealand, submitted its Sea Hawk light for the test. The light has a 12-LED array and a polyamide lens. From Scandvik Marine, a Florida manufacturer of a range of marine products, we tested a four-LED flush-mount light and a four-LED spreader light.

The high-tech LED lighting and safety product company Misea Group markets the Signal Mate line of LED lights. All of their deck illumination lamps are based on LED lighting that provides even, highly directable illumination. We tested several Signal Mate lights: two spreader-mounted lamps, one projecting a white beam and the other a red; a combo bow and deck light that has a 3-nautical-mile rating; and a standalone mast-mount deck light.

As a side test, we checked out a generic set of LED mini bullet lights that we picked up at a boat show. The small, energy efficient, bell-shaped lights are stainless-steel and adjustable, but the wiring requires that extra holes be drilled into the spar. We found that these little lamps behaved like a dim flashlight, providing enough discernment to get a foredeck job done while having the least impact on night vision, and using only 0.1 amps at 12.6 volts DC. Testing determined that rather than deck lights, the compact bullet lights would serve well in wet lockers and other spots where a small, water-resistant, wired light fixture is desired, so we decided not include them in the roundup.

Some of the test lights are adjustable (see Value Guide), but adjustability in a spreader light isn’t that big of a plus, in our opinion. Wed prefer to mount them at a fixed angle rather than risk them being redirected by a flailing halyard.

Dr. LED Dr. LEDs Kevin and DaveX3 lights offered lots of light per watt, delivered even illumination through a wide voltage spectrum, and the lamp housings are marine quality.

The four-LED Kevin provided wide-area illumination and topped our intensity scale. The 0.7 amps at 12.6 volts was just a little higher in current appetite than other similarly configured deck lights. The Kevin has lots in common with the Scandvik unit we tested. Their performance, color temperature, beam width, current demand, and minimal heat generation were both superior. However, the T-shaped mount is likely to snag errant lines, and it would be up to the boat owner to come up with a better bracket arrangement. The Kevin runs about $153 and comes with a one-year warranty. The model is set to be upgraded in 2014, according to Dr. LED.

The DaveX3 is a small, sealed dome light thats built to ISO 8846 standards and belongs underwater, and thats precisely why we kept it in the deck light mix-a sailboat at sea is as close to being underwater as you can get. Testers appreciated that its polycarbonate body is corrosion resistant and galvanically inert.

The three-LED DaveX3 is meant to be water cooled for continuous-duty operation, but as a flare up light for intermittent sail-trim checks, it can be mounted on the foredeck, directing its beam upward toward the mast and sail. Keep in mind that when looking aloft while hoisting a sail, one stares into spreader/deck lights, and thats why a foredeck-mounted light makes lots of sense.

At $180, the DaveX3 waterproof light runs at the mid to high end of the test fields price spectrum, and it comes with a one-year warranty.

Bottom line: Those looking for power to light up a large area should take a close look at the Kevin lamp. The ruggedly built DaveX3 is an ultra waterproof unit that will survive a wet foredeck and is handy for short-term headsail trim checking or as a flare up light for others to visually pinpoint your vessels location.

Forespar The design features of the two Forespar lights we tested, the ML-1 and ML-2, make it obvious that they were engineered by a company that understands spars and rigging. Their injection-molded plastic housings are immune to electrolysis and can be easily mounted on most masts, using self-tapping screwed or pop rivets.

The ML-1 unit is solely for deck illumination, and its sealed quartz-halogen bulb and efficient reflector lens do a good job of keeping the beam aimed at the mast base and foredeck. It was the most current hungry of all we tested (1.8 amps at 12.6 volts DC), but if the light is not used for continuous duty, the total power consumed will remain small.

The ML-2 unit uses the same deck light as its sibling, but it also has a 2-nautical-mile, U.S. Coast Guard-certified, long-filament festoon bulb steaming light. Its a handy combo and at $75, its priced very close to the $66 ML-1. In tests, it consumed 1.2 amps at 12.6 volts DC. Both come with a three-year warranty.

Bottom line: The Forespar ML-2 is an appealing product for the price-point shopper not looking for LED energy efficiency. Its our Budget Buy. The ML-1 is a compact, lightweight light, and its easy to install on smaller spars.

Hella The Hella Sea Hawks polyamide lens and 12-LED array provide an even beam with good brightness that effectively and evenly illuminates the deck. The absolute brightness was a little lower than the four-LED inline units from Dr. LED and Scandvik, but when looking aloft, the Hella lamp was not as blinding as the others.

The Hellas current consumption (0.3 amps at 12.6 volts DC) was half that of the slightly brighter Scandvik and Dr. LED units. Its not surprising to see that New Zealand-based Hella had a solution to the halyard snagging issue testers noted in other inline multi-LED deck lamps. The Kiwis are consummate sailors, and their full-width, 316 stainless-steel bracket keeps halyards from snagging the lamp as if it were a horn cleat. Priced in the middle of the pack, the $136 Hella comes with an impressive five-year warranty.

Bottom line: Hellas Sea Hawk edged out the competition with its light weight (8.8 ounces) and snag-free mount design. Its our Best Choice. The even illumination and brightness, without a central hot spot, earned high ratings.

Scandvik The two Scandvik lights we tested-one flush-mount, one bracket mount-are both well-made, well-engineered lamps that employ an inline four-LED design. Their illumination is excellent. When compared with lamps containing quartz-halogen bulbs, Scandviks deck lights deliver equivalent brightness and a radius of illumination at about 20-percent of the formers power usage. We measured a 0.6-amp current demand at 12.6 volts DC and were pleased by the wide circular beam. Initially, we assumed that there would be more of an ellipse shape beam, but by optically setting up the lens and LED configuration, the inline housing still delivers a circular beam.

Scandviks deck lights are energy-efficient, effective light sources, but the bracket mount is less than ideal. It consists of a single stainless-steel toggled machine screw that allows one-axis tilting. The problem is the brackets potential to snag a halyard and change the lights tilt angle, resulting in light being redirected toward the cockpit instead of the foredeck. A bit of creative mount fabrication under a radar bracket would solve the halyard snag factor. In short, high marks are given to the flush-mount lamp, but bracket mounting on sailboats will be an issue.

The flush- and bracket-mounted lights run $90 each and come with a one-year warranty.

Bottom line: Efficient lighting in a well-made housing, but the T-shaped bracket and non-flush mount is a halyard snagger.

Signal Mate The energy-efficient, mast-mounted LED deck light is aligned with the spars centerline, rather than raked forward to send more illumination to the foredeck. Fortunately, the optical ability of the light to deliver sharp cutoff edges was good, and the 0.3 amps volts DC current demand (at 12.6 volts DC) delivered effective illumination. At $289, the Signal Mate deck light was the most expensive standalone light in the test.

Signal Mates three-LED spreader light also focused a similar, medium-radius white beam, using the same current demand. The red version of the LED lamp delivered a narrower beam, and testers found looking aloft toward the red light to be very visually disconcerting. While we like the idea of preserving night vision, we had some concern about beating to windward and having the heel angle cause the red LED to be misconstrued as a navigation light. The spreader lights, at $199, are more expensive than the other brands of lights we tested.

The combo bow and deck light was a very efficient package. The 3-nautical-mile steaming light consumed only 0.2 amps, and the low-profile housing fits closely to the spar. It runs $689.

The Lexan and anodized aluminum Signal Mate lights come with three-year warranties.

Bottom line: Signal Mates well-made LED combo light is a good choice for larger vessels. The deck light and spreader lights provide even illumination, using very little current.

Conclusion Brilliance is in the eye of the beholder, and determining how bright deck lighting should be is a balance of competing interests. We maintain a strong pitch for the maintenance of night vision, and those who chase solutions with technology may want to install two different intensity spreader/deck lights. It was a tough task to come up with a winner among the inline LED lamps. Dr. LEDs Dave X3 put out the brightest, broadest beam. Scandvik put out nearly as much light, using a pinch less current. But Hella, which offered a little less brightness, proved to be a current miser, and nosed out the competitors with its sensible bracket design and lighter weight.

Signal Mates combo lamp is an expensive but well-made piece of kit. We will do a longer-term test on the red LED version of Signal Mates spreader light and report our findings in the future.

When all is said and done, LED efficiency needs to be thought of in a duty-cycle context, and if your spreader/deck light(s) are seldom used, and used for only short duration, LED efficiency may not justify the added expense. Running lights are another story-they remain on all night, and for passagemakers, LED lights can add up to significant power savings.

But when it comes to infrequent, short-term deck illumination, perhaps the Forespar ML-2 makes the most sense. You can compromise short-term by putting up with bright but inefficient deck lighting, and investing in a good LED masthead tricolor lamp for the time you are under sail and tapping into the battery bank reserve.

• Signal Mate

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Getting a Clue for the Blown-Out Clew

What model of the Hella light did you test?

I have bought Lumitec LED Spreader Light. A little pricey, but functionally it’s the cat’s wazoo! Great stuff. Two color, both dimmable, on a standard on/off circuit. I replaced two old halogen spreaders with just one of these and it’s great.

Water can be fun in the dark but I also have to ensure my safety. Great article. Most folks have to learn this the hard way.

Boaters would agree that the deck is one of the most important parts of a boat. It’s where I stay when docking my boat. The best marine LED spreader lights can light up the whole deck so I can work safely and easier.

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Caprera2 Bracket Mount LED Flood Light

Caprera3 Bracket Mount LED Flood Light

CapreraLT Bracket Mount LED Flood Light

Capri2 Flush Mount LED Flood Light

Capri3 Flush Mount LED Flood Light

CapriLT Flush Mount LED Flood Light

Contour Navigation Docking Combination Light

Corsica Inset LED Flood Light

Maxillume h120 Flush Mount LED Flood Light

Maxillume h120 Trunnion Mount LED Flood Light

Maxillume h60 Flush Mount LED Flood Light

Maxillume h60 Trunnion Mount LED Flood Light

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• Boat Lights

Boat Spreader Lights

Gen3 Marine Dual Color LED Spreader Light

Gen3 Marine Dual Color LED Spreader Light - Blue/White Illuminate the areas around your boat with the Gen3 Marine Dual Color LED Spreader Light. The flood style beam points downward to light up decks, cabins, etc. to make it safer for passengers. With...

Lumitec CapreraLT - LED Flood Light - White Finish - White Non-Dimming

CapreraLT - LED Flood Light - White Finish - White Non-Dimming Since 2008 Lumitec's Capri and Caprera family have established the benchmark for quality, performance, and value in LED flood replacements for 55W halogens. With more than 1,000 integrating...

Lumitec CapriLT - LED Flood Light - White Finish - White Non Dimming

CapriLT - LED Flood Light - White Finish - White Non-Dimming Since 2008 Lumitec's Capri and Caprera family have established the benchmark for quality, performance, and value in LED flood replacements for 55W halogens. With more than 1,000 integrating...

Lumitec Caprera3 Spreader Light - White Non-Dimming - White Housing

Caprera3 Spreader Light - White Non-Dimming - White HousingNow with 1,200 lumens, a smaller, more thermally efficient powder-coated die-cast aluminum housing with improved optical beam pattern and available in full-color RGBW Spectrum output. But the...

Lumitec Caprera2 - 2 Color LED Flood Light - White/Red Dimming

Caprera2 - LED Flood Light - 2-Color White/Red Dimming What do you do to improve the industry's best selling LED flood light? Add features, improve the beam pattern, and increase the output! Lumitec's Caprera2 flood lights do just that. New two-color...

Lumitec Caprera2 - 2 Color LED Flood Light - White/Blue Dimming

Caprera2 - LED Flood Light - 2-Color White/Blue Dimming What do you do to improve the industry's best selling LED flood light? Add features, improve the beam pattern, and increase the output! Lumitec's Caprera2 flood lights do just that. New two-color...

Lumitec Rail2.0 12" Light - Spectrum RGBW Full-Color

Rail2 12" Light - Spectrum RGBW Full-ColorLumitec's original rail light amazed customers when it was first introduced in 2008. With up to 3 times greater output than its predecessor and a sleek new look, Rail2 raises the bar. The integrated...

Lumitec Capri3 Spreader Light - White Non-Dimming - White Housing

Capri3 Spreader Light - White Non-Dimming - White HousingNow with 1,200 lumens, a smaller, more thermally efficient powder-coated die-cast aluminum housing with improved optical beam pattern and available in full-color RGBW Spectrum output. But the...

Hella Marine Flush Mount Double Beam Halogen Spreader Light

Flush Mount Double Beam Halogen Spreader LightModule 6213 Halogen Double Beam Flush Mount Work Lamp (CR). Features:High Quality HELLA Work LampsHella quality and performanceOver 100 years of excellence in automotive lighting

Lumitec Zephyr LED Spreader/Deck Light - White - Non-Dimming

Zephyr LED Spreader/Deck Light - Brushed White Base - White Non-DimmingLumitec's spreader light is equally well suited to lighting the foredeck of an elegant sloop or the cockpit of a sport yacht. Mounted on spreaders, spars, radar arches or towers and...

Lumitec Razor Light Bar -Flood - Flush Mount - White

Razor 18" Light Bar - Flood - Flush Mount - WhiteThe World’s FIRST flush-mount light bar. Razor was carefully designed to be easily integrated into most existing hardtop, arch, and pilothouse designs – typically with little or no...

Lumitec Capri2 - Flush LED Flood Light - 2-Color Blue Dimming

Capri2 - Flush Mount LED Flood Light - 2-Color White/Blue Dimming What do you do to improve the industry's best selling LED flood light? Add features, improve the beam pattern, and increase the output! Lumitec's Capri2 flood lights do just that. New...

Lumitec Maxillumeh60 - Trunnion Flood Light - Dimming - White Housing

Maxillume h60 - Trunnion Mount Flood Light - White Dimming - WhiteHousing Customers with high expectations, from the world's top custom yacht builders to the US Coast Guard, have relied on Lumitec's Maxillume line of flood lights for nearly a decade...

Lumitec Caprera3 Spreader Light - Spectrum - White Housing

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Lumitec Caprera2 - Black LED Floodlight - 2-Color Blue Dimming

Caprera2 - LED Flood Light - Black Finish - 2-Color White/Blue Dimming What do you do to improve the industry's best selling LED flood light? Add features, improve the beam pattern, and increase the output! Lumitec's Caprera2 flood lights do just that...

Lumitec Caprera3 Spreader Light - White Dimming - White Housing

Caprera3 Spreader Light - White Dimming - White HousingNow with 1,200 lumens, a smaller, more thermally efficient powder-coated die-cast aluminum housing with improved optical beam pattern and available in full-color RGBW Spectrum output. But the...

Lumitec Caprera3 Spreader Light - White/Red Dimming - White Housing

Caprera3 Spreader Light - White/Red Dimming - White HousingNow with 1,200 lumens, a smaller, more thermally efficient powder-coated die-cast aluminum housing with improved optical beam pattern and available in full-color RGBW Spectrum output. But the...

Lumitec Capri2 - Flush LED Flood Light - 2-Color Red Dimming

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Zephyr LED Spreader/Deck Light - Brushed, Black Base - White Non-DimmingLumitec's spreader light is equally well suited to lighting the foredeck of an elegant sloop or the cockpit of a sport yacht. Mounted on spreaders, spars, radar arches or towers and...

Boat Spreader Lights: lighting your way to safety

Even if you are an avid boater, you may not be familiar with boat spreader lights. These are essentially courtesy lighting that originally had been mounted to the spreaders on a sailboat mast, hence the name. Boat spreader lights are small flood deck lights that can be mounted anywhere that can be easily mounted and installed.

The key feature being that they point downward to throw light on decks, cabins, anywhere that requires additional lighting for safety. Professional and commercial fishing boats, and ski boats use boat spreader lights. With the flick of a switch you can illuminate your vessel.

Most boat spreader lights on the market today use either halogen or LED bulbs. Boat spreader lights project light at great distances but require little power than other types of marine lighting. This makes them ideal solutions when limiting power solution is necessary. Boat spreader lights are an efficient and affordable way to light up your vessel.

Boat spreader lights utilize either aluminum or fiberglass housing for corrosion resistance. This durability gives these lights a long working life, safe from marine corrosion. Marine spreader lights come in a variety of mounting options from clean flush configurations to mounted bar lights.

Many modern spreader lights feature LED bulbs for ultra bright lite and a long working lifespan. They also feature color changing technology so you can adjust your lights color with the environment’s light levels. Utilize blue and red lighting to help save your low light vision when working in the dark.

Boat Spreader Lights from Wholesale Marine

We carry marine spreader lights from Sea Dog , and Rigid Marine . Mount a pair on your T-tops and hardtops, or radar dish. Spreader lights are an excellent way to extend your time on the water, as well as everyone’s enjoyment.

For an ultra bright lighting solution, check out Gen3 Marine's led spreader light . The aluminum alloy housing is built to last in marine environments. The internal color change switch lets you choose between white and blue light settings.

Need an economical solution? We suggest  Sea Dog’s Halogen Flood Light . Corrosion-resistant, it features a fiberglass/nylon housing. So you can mount your lights at any height without access concerns, we also recommend  Sea Dog’s Wireless Remote .

For anything your boating life requires including boat spreader lights just contact Wholesale Marine. You’ll appreciate our low price guarantee, same day flat rate shipping, easy returns, super customer service, and knowledgeable advice. Ask about our Captain’s Club Rewards program for additional discounts on future Wholesale Marine purchases. Give us a call Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM, EST at (877) 388-2628.

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Guide to LED Pontoon Boat Lights

• By Elliott Stark
• August 20, 2024

Whether on the lake, river or bay, nothing packs a party quite like a pontoon boat. Recent advancements in LED lighting take the pontoon boat party to a whole new level. What follows is our take on dialing in your pontoon boat led lighting setup.

What Lights Does a Pontoon Boat Need?

Like all vessels, the right pontoon boat LED lighting setup involves a combination of lights that you’re required to have and those that make the experience more fun. Whether navigation lights, spreader bars, underwater lighting or light strips around the deck, LED lights are functional, versatile and quite a bit of fun. 

LED setups offer a number of customization possibilities. For instance, they may be:

• Dimmable: You can control and adjust the brightness and lumen output via apps on your marine electronics or smartphone.
• Multi-color changing: The same bulb can produce an incredible variety of colors. Previous lighting options, if they had the ability to change color at all, were extremely limited. 
• Syncable with sound: With the right setup and installation, you can make the lights on your pontoon boat change in brightness and color to music. LED light strips like these are really cool for kids and adults alike.

Lighting for Pontoon Boats: Legal Requirements

The exact lighting setup you will need depends on the length of your pontoon boat. Be sure to check the legal requirements for your situation. The requirements include the number of lights, angle of light emitted, and visible range of the light.

At its most basic, your pontoon boat needs the following:

• Masthead lights: These are typically white lights that are mounted in a place that is visible to other boats. This base-mounted, fold down LED pole light is a great example. 
• Navigation lights: These are the classic red and green lights mounted on the bow of your boat. In addition to being required by law, they let other vessels know which direction you are traveling at night. 
• Stern lights : You also need stern lights mounted on the back of your boat and an all-around light. 

‘Nice-to-Have’ Lights for a Pontoon Boat

Beyond the lights required by law, you can outfit your pontoon with an incredible variety of exciting LED lighting options. Consider illuminating the dock, installing courtesy lights along pathways and steps, and adding submersible underwater LED lights . 

You also have many options when it comes to deck lighting. For instance, you can mount a series of recessed LED lights along the walls or beneath the covering boards. You can also mount an LED light strip to run the length of your pontoon boat.

Other great varieties of pontoon boat LED lights include:

• Spreader lights to illuminate where you’re going 
• Utility livewell lights
• Tube lights that light the console

Boating’s Top Spotlights for Boaters provides a breakdown of spotlight options for your pontoon boat.  

Benefits of LED Lights for Pontoon Boats

LED lights for pontoon boats provide a wide ranging number of benefits. They provide a significant energy savings and produce less heat than other forms of lighting. 

The primary benefits include:

• Energy efficiency : LED lights draw less battery power to produce the same number of lumens than do halogen or incandescent lights. 
• Longevity and durability : When properly maintained, LED lights last longer and stand up to the elements. If you do need to replace a bulb, they’re more consistent between lights than other types of lighting.
• Brightness and visibility : LED lights produce more light in smaller packages than other types of boat lighting. 
• Versatility in color: LED lighting systems allow you to customize the color of your boat’s lighting. You can also control many LED light kits with apps. 

Installing Pontoon Boat LED Lights

Just as there are many LED lighting products, you have a range of installation options. Hire a professional, or install them yourself. Integrate all your pontoon boat LED lights into a single circuit, or install and control them individually. 

Check out the 2024 Pontoon Boat Buyer’s Guide for some design inspiration. This review of the SunCatcher Elite provides some additional perspective. 

Marine Mounting Considerations

Where and how you mount your LED lighting systems depends on your boat’s setup and the look you’re after. You can install a series of individual recessed lights or mount an LED strip on a track . 

Professional vs. DIY Pontoon Light Installation

Most LED lighting systems are wired into your pontoon boat’s battery system. If you are technical, you may be able to install a new lighting system or modify the one you have. 

Professional installation is a great option, too. Professionals understand your boat’s voltage (and can make sure to install the appropriate lights). Most LED manufacturers make them in 12V and 24V options. 

How you install LED lights on your pontoon boat also depends on how complex and feature-rich you’d like your system to be. When you start including dimmability and app control, or integrating different LED lighting components, the installation gets more complex. 

Maintaining LED Pontoon Lights 

When properly maintained, your pontoon boat LED lighting system will last a long time. Clean and dry the lights after use to keep them in ship shape. Make sure that your connections are secure and that the wiring and batteries stay dry.

If you use your pontoon boat in saltwater, take extra care to avoid corrosion. Also, be sure to test your navigation lights before you leave the dock. Being in the middle of the lake at night is no time to find out that your lights are out. 

Make a Safe Investment in LED Pontoon Boat Lights

So you’ve got your pontoon boat. You know the many benefits of LED lighting setups. Now it’s time to bring a fully customized, brighter LED setup to the biggest party on the water. Pontoon boats are great. They’re even better with LEDs. 

What lights should be on when boating at night?

You’ll need navigation lights (a red and green light on the bow), stern lighting on the back of your boat, a masthead light, and an all-around light. These are the basics, and you can of course add to this. 

Where do the lights go on a pontoon boat?

To satisfy the law, you’ll need lights on the bow, on the stern, and atop the console. From there, you could illuminate the deck, any steps, and maybe even beneath the water’s surface under your pontoon boat. Where you place them depends on the design you’re after.

Will lightning strike a pontoon boat?

Any time you are on the water, you should be aware of the weather. If there is lighting in the vicinity, you should consider heading to shore. Lighting can strike boats of all kinds, pontoon boats included.

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The Musings of a Hopeless Wanderer

Engaging in the eternal search for the meaning of life...or a good time.

• Netherlands

Monday, September 3, 2018

Tackling moscow by train and boat.

Our first full day in Moscow started fairly late since we were still catching up on sleep.  Around 1, we finally were able to get our act together and get out the door. 

We stopped by a cafe to get some breakfast and headed over to the Red Square.  Since the festival is going on, we had to go through metal detectors.  Once we cleared security, we reached the State Historical Museum which provided an entrance to the Red Square.

We walked the length of the Red Square, passing by the Kazan cathedral.

Under normal conditions, the Red Square is a large walking area with the State Historical Museum on one end and St. Basil's on the other end.  On the sides is the Kremlin wall on one side and then the GUM shopping mall and the Kazan cathedral on the other side.  Presently, the walking area has been considerably narrowed and the fesitval grounds occupying a large space between the Kremlin and the mall.

We even asked a stranger to take our picture!

After walking around the Red Square, we had to leave to meet up with our Metro Tour.  

Moscow has famously pretty metro stations so metro tours are quite popular.  We booked a relatively inexpensive tour through a tour group which met outside of the Red Square.

On our way, we passed by the Kremlin gardens and the tomb to the unknown soldier and the eternal flame.

We soon met up with our group which, fortunately, was only 5 people.  Our guide told us that we were going to visit 8 stations during the 1.5 hour tour.  

Honestly, a lot of the stations blended in to me so I won't be able to give you a detailed description of all of them.  However, I did learn that there are 222 metro stations and the trains come every 2-3 minutes reliably.  For that reason, Moscow > DC. 

One of the first metro stations we visited had bronze statues all over of various depictions.  Many of the statues had superstitions tied to them.  For example, for a statue of the dog, it's held that if you rub the nose of the dog, you'll have good luck.  Consequently, most of the statue is tarnished - except for the nose.  I joked to Tomas that they probably rotate the "good luck" portion of the statue to ensure the entire statue gets polished.

However, I do remember some of the stations.

Novoslobodskaya is a station adorned with stained glass on the walls.

There was also Belarusskaya, which paid tribute to Belarus.

Another station which name I cannot remember but had pretty mosaics in the ceilings.

My favorite station was Komsomolskaya.  It's the busiest station and a hub for other connecting trains.  It was built during Statlin times and he wanted the station to embody beauty to set a good first impression to Russia.

I'd seen pictures of it beforehand since it's the most famous but it's so much more impressive in person.

Look at these ceilings!

Overall it was a very interesting tour.  Not sure of any other city which could offer a metro tour.  DC certainly can't...

After the tour, we headed back of the hotel to rest for a bit.  We had purchased tickets to a tour hour boat down the Moscow river.  The tickets were good for any time on any day and the boats left every 20min.  We decided to knock the tour out that day and headed over to the pier.  

We arrived at the pier and saw a boat by the company we had purchased from boarding.  We approached and they shook their head and said it wasn't the right boat. 

So we waited for another boat.

Another boat came along by the same company we had purchased from so weapproached them.  Again - we were told it wasn't the right boat and the boat we were looking for was coming.  

A third boat came along which was NOT by the company we had purchased from.  By this point, it had been longer than 20min waiting and I was starting to suspect that the correct boat was actually one of the ones which turned us away.   We approached the 3rd boat to ask if they knew which boat we should be on.  However, when we approached,  they waved us aboard without scanning our tickets.

So, we boarded the 3rd boat....which was definitely not ours.

We settled into an upper deck, open air table to take in the views.

We passed by pretty buildings.

The somewhat impressive cathedral of Christ the Savior.

This random statue.

After about hour on the cruise, Tomas remarked that it had been about an hour so we should be turning around soon.  I reminded him that we actually had no idea how long this cruise was or where we would be dropped off.  Since we were on the wrong boat.

Fortunately, it did turn around and took us back to the pier.  

For dinner, we decided to go to this burger place, Black Star Burger, which our guide told us about.  Tomas really liked his - I thought mine was OK.  It was a decent size patty with a mountain of Cole slaw on top.  We've realized that apparently Russians dislike getting their hands dirty while eating so some restaurants will give out gloves to use.  This particular restaurant gave out black gloves.

Tomas modeling our dinner.

Since little mum has been asking about pictures which show my feet, I assume she wanted to see my new shoes.  I recently bought Allbirds which are suppose to be super comfortable walking shoes which you wear without socks and can be washed.  I didn't wear them too extensively beforehand, so that was probably my first error.  I also didn't bring another pair of good walking shoes,  which was likely my second error.  The Allbirds were great the first two days without socks.  Midway through the third day, my right foot was quite unhappy. Left foot was a trooper. So, now I have a bandaid on the heel of my right foot and wear socks.  

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The 7 Best Perch Rigs (Rigging & Fishing Guide)

UPDATED 03 NOVEMBER 2023

by Robert Ceran

While small perch are usually easy to catch (and abundant in most lakes), bigger perch over 1 to 2 pounds are much harder to target, and require more skill from the angler. 

But no matter if you want to catch your limit of panfish-sized perch, or if you want to hook a trophy perch or two, it’s essential to know what rigs to use for perch fishing, in order to improve your chances of success.

Table of Contents

Here I’ll cover the best perch rigs that you need to know. I’ll also discuss how to tie each of them, how to use them, and what purpose each of them is ideally suited for.

How do you rig for perch fishing?

The best perch fishing rigs are:

Slip bobber rig

• Drop shot rig

Carolina rig

Perch pounder rig.

Each of these perch rigs comes with its own set of strengths and weaknesses, and we’ll walk you through each of them below.

We’ll also give you a recommendation on what these perch fishing setups are best suited for, so you can decide which rig is best for you.

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This is by far the easiest perch rig to tie, and is usually worth trying out first, since it allows you to get a sense of what the fish are keyed into before you try more complex perch fishing setups.

How to tie it : If you’re using fluorocarbon or monofilament as your main line, you don’t need to tie a leader, and can just tie your main line directly to a 1/8 to 1/4 oz jig head (either plain metal, or a colored jig head is fine).

But if you’re using braid as your main line, you’ll need to tie a 2 foot long 6 to 8 lb test fluorocarbon leader. 

Berkley Power Minnow

My favorite soft plastic bait for perch, pre-rigged onto a jig head (2″ size is ideal for perch).

After tying the jig head to your line, thread on a soft plastic lure, such as a grub tail or paddle tail swimbait. Personally, I like to use Berkley power minnows with this rig, since they have the perfect action.

Another great thing about this perch fishing setup is that you can easily switch out the soft plastic lure to test different shapes, sizes, and colors. 

How to use it : As with all yellow perch rigs, you should aim to keep them very close to the bottom during retrieval.

So after casting your jig with a jigging rod , wait for it to reach the bottom before you start retrieving it, and regularly pause during retrieval to let it sink back to the bottom.

Experiment with different retrieval speeds and cadences, until you find something that triggers bites. 

When to use it : The jig rig is a great search bait, which you can use to cover a lot of water in search of feeding perch.

It’s also a great option if you’re not getting any bites on a live bait rig, or if you’re not sure if there are any fish around.

Keep on moving around until your find a school of fish, and then experiment with different baits and presentation techniques. 

This is one of the best perch rigs for live bait , and also one of the best setups to use from shore. I like to set up a deadstick with a  slip bobber rig, while casting a lure with my active rod.

How to tie it : It’s best to start by threading a bobber stopper onto your line, followed by a plastic bead (which prevents the bobber stop from getting stuck inside the bobber), and then the slip bobber.

Since perch don’t respond well to a lot of resistance when they take a bait, it’s best to use a relatively thin finesse bobber when fishing for perch.

Underneath the bobber, pinch on some split shot weights to stop the bobber from sliding down all the way, and then tie the line to a swivel.

Finally, tie a 6 to 8 lb test fluorocarbon leader to the swivel, and a size 2 to 4 bait hook (or micro jig head) to the other end of the leader.

How to use it : When using the slip bobber rig, it’s important to adjust your depth setting to about 6 inches above the bottom, since this is the primary strike zone for perch.

Once you’ve determined the right depth, bait the hook with a minnow or a worm, cast out your perch live bait rig, and wait for bites.

When to use it : This perch float rig is a great option to use from shore, since you can cast it out and wait for fish to pass by and take your bait.

You can also use this perch bait rig from a boat, but keep in mind that if you’re drifting, the depth of the bottom will tend to change all the time, which makes it harder to keep your bait presentation close to the bottom.

Drop shot rig for perch

The drop shot rig was originally developed as a finesse rig for bass, but has now become one of the most popular perch rigs, since it provides anglers with an amazingly sensitive and lightweight presentation that targets exactly the right depth of the water column.

How to tie it : Start by tying a size 2 to 6 drop shot hook to your line ( here’s a great video tutorial on how to do that). Next, clip on a 1/4 to 1/8 oz drop shot weight to the line underneath the hook, and then add a soft plastic bait to the hook, as shown in the image above.

One of the advantages of this perch rig setup is that you can adjust the position of the weight on the line, which allows you to easily change the depth of your bait presentation.

How to use it : Cast out your rig, and wait for the weight to sink to the bottom. Then use subtle movements of your rod tip to twitch the lure without actually lifting the weight off the bottom.

Do this for a couple of minutes in each spot before reeling in a few feet of line and repeating the process. 

When to use it : The drop shot rig is great when you’ve found a location with lots of fish, since it allows you to fish in one spot until you get a bite, without having to continuously retrieve the lure.

It’s also great because you can key in on a very specific depth where perch are active. 

While the ned rig superficially resembles the jig rig, it has a different and very characteristic action in the water, which makes it highly effective for catching perch.

How to tie it : Tie this perch rig the same way that you would tie a jig rig, but using a mushroom jig head instead of a regular round jig head.

Also, when choosing a soft plastic bait to use with the ned rig, it’s essential to choose one that is specifically designed for ned rigging, and that floats in the water. 

How to use it : Cast out the ned rig, and retrieve it slowly, pausing for a few seconds every time the ned rig reaches the bottom.

The distinguishing feature of the this yellow perch fishing rig is that the combination of using a mushroom jig head with a floating plastic bait results in its tail standing up straight every time you let the ned rig sink to the bottom.

Perch seem to find this action irresistible, and you’ll often experience getting bites when your jig is sitting on the bottom. 

When to use it : You can use this perch rig as a search bait setup, or you can use it on finicky fish that don’t respond to other presentations. It’s especially effective when the perch are pressured, and if they’re not used to seeing a ned rig.

The Carolina rig is one of the most versatile bottom fishing rigs in the world, and works well for a variety of species, including perch.

How to tie it : Thread a bullet sinker onto your main line, followed by a plastic bead, and then tie your line to a swivel. The plastic bead prevents the weight from getting stuck on the swivel, or damaging the knot.

Next, tie on a 1 to 2 foot fluoro leader, and they tie that to a size 2 to 4 worm hook , which is designed for weedless rigging of a soft plastic bait. You can choose from a wide variety of soft plastics, including minnow, shad or worm imitations. 

How to use it : Cast this perch rig setup out and wait for the weight to reach the bottom. Then give it another 10 to 20 seconds before reeling in a couple of feet, and pausing again.

Every time you pause this perch rig, the plastic bait (which doesn’t have any weight except the hook) sinks slowly down towards the bottom, and this is usually what triggers bites.

Perch bites on the Carolina rig can be quite subtle, so you really need to pay attention to soft taps or tugs. If you do feel a bite, reel in until you feel resistance, and then set the hook.

Braided line is the best choice as your main line for this perch rig, since it provides the most sensitivity in terms of being able to feel what’s going on with your hook and sinker.

When to use it : the Carolina rig is a great option for fishing from shore or from boat, and I like to use it when yellow perch aren’t responding to other presentations, since this rig can trigger bites from finicky pressured perch.

The perch pounder rig is ideal for vertical fishing from a boat, and works best in relatively deep water.

How to tie it : Use one piece of leader line to tie the entire rig. Since you don’t want the side arms of this perch rig to constantly get tangled up with the main line, it’s best to use a relatively heavy fluorocarbon line of about 15 to 20 lb test, which is quite stiff. 

Tie a loop in the leader line by folding a loop back on itself and then tying several overhand knots.

After pulling this tight, cut one of the arms of the loop, which results in a straight piece of line sticking out from the leader.

Thread one or two beads onto this line, and then tie on a size 4 to 8 bait hook. 

Next, repeat this process by tying a second loop about 8 inches below the first loop, and also add beads and a bait hook to this one.

Then cut off the leader line about 12 inches below the second hook, and tie it to a heavy 1 oz sinker.

In the last step, cut off the leader above the top hook, and tie it to a swivel, which you can use to tie it to your main line.

How to use it : The best way to use this perch rig is for vertical fishing from a boat in deep water of 50 feet or more, and it is one of the best rigs to target big perch in this kind of setting.

Bait the two hooks with live minnows (which is why this perch rig is also known as the ‘double minnow rig’), and lower the rig down to the bottom from your boat.

When you find a big school of yellow perch, it’s not uncommon to get double hook ups with this perch rig. 

When to use it : The perch pounder rig was originally developed for catching perch in deep water in the great lakes, where conventional setups don’t work so well.

However, it works just as well in any lakes that have deep water where big schools of perch like to hold, and since it’s designed for vertical fishing, it makes a great ice fishing rig for perch as well.

What is the best perch rig?

The best perch rig is the drop shot rig, since it is an ideal all-around setup for targeting perch with a lightweight lure or bait presentation close to the bottom.

Unlike bass, perch tend to require more finesse (especially in pressured lakes), which explains why the drop shot rig is so effective for catching them.

Another advantage of using a drop shot setup is that you can use this rig for both vertical fishing from a boat, or for casting from shore. 

With that being said, each of the perch rigs discussed above can be the best option to use in some circumstances. Also, keep in mind that the simplest rigs are the jig rig and the Ned rig, which are therefore great options to use as search baits to find schools of fish.

Once you find a good spot with a school of perch, you should then go on to experiment with the other perch rig setups, in order to find what rig works best for you.

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My name's Arthur Lookyanov, I'm a private tour guide, personal driver and photographer in Moscow, Russia. I work in my business and run my website Moscow-Driver.com from 2002. Read more about me and my services , check out testimonials of my former business and travel clients from all over the World, hit me up on Twitter or other social websites. I hope that you will like my photos as well.

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