Underwater boat lights are ideal for illuminating any kind of nighttime activities, like fishing, swimming, or just even cruising around, offering some flair as well as more visibility for maximum safety. When buying, there are several factors to consider. To help you out, we review the top 10 best underwater boat lights in 2022. Read through and choose the best for yourself.
10. Samdo IP68 12V LED Underwater Fishing Light Lamp
It can be utilized for lakes and rivers for all fishing, and night fishing. Also, it can be utilized for small fishing nets, sea fishing, cage and light cover net. It can be utilized in a fish pond to entice small fish for feeding bigger fish. Additionally, it can be utilized for fisherman network modification and whitebait nets. It is made of high quality materials for maximum durability, strength and long lasting use.
9. Al Aker Lighting LED Underwater Boat Lights Salt Water Resistans 25W 12V (White 2500 Lumen and Blue 1300 Lumen LED Colours Options), Surface Mounted Underwater Boat Light
This shock and vibration resistant underwater boat light features 316 marine grade stainless steel housing that has a shatterproof polycarbonate lens. It utilizes 24 Cree LEDs to produce white, red, blue, or green illumination. As well, it has exclusive over temperature protection that ensures it can operate at high temperatures without any damage. Furthermore, it has super lower profile as well as smaller footprint.
8. Jiawill 316L Stainless Steel Underwater 1/2 NPT 9 to 30V 27w Boat Drain Plug Light
This vibration as well as shock resistant underwater boat light has 36L marine grade stainless steel housing for maximum durability and LEDs protection. It has Cree 3w LED, nine LED insides totaling to 27 watt of super brightness. As well, it features self-contained circuitry without any outer controllers needed, it operate within a broad range of 9 to 30 volt DC power. Moreover, the lights have an overheat protection thus you can easily test the lights out of water.
7. LinkStyle 12V 120 LED 1000 Lumens Lure Bait Finder Submersible Fishing Light 10.5W Night Fishing Finder Lamp Light Crappie Shad Boat LED Submersible Deep Drop Underwater Light
It features eight sided LED fishing light, 120 SMD super bright LED lights and 1000 lumens brightness. Also, it is ideal for fishing both in salt water as well as fresh water. These super bright LED fishing lights attracts prawns, squid shad bass, and trout red fish. It will offer a maximum of 50000 hours of continuous use. It produces light such as white, blue and green for various fishing needs.
6. Lumitec SeaBlaze Mini LED Surface Mount Underwater Boat Light
It has marine grade anodized aluminum housing for maximum durability, vibration and shock resistance. You can mount it above or below the waterline. As well, it made in the USA using high quality materials for maximum safety and durability. It produces 890 lumens with power input of 10 to 30 volt DC.
5. Lumitec Lighting, LED Underwater Light, SeaBlaze Quattro Underwater Light
This underwater boat light features marine grade anodized aluminum housing for maximum durability, vibration and shock resistance it produces up to 2000 lumens with power input of 10 to 30 volt DC. Also, it has self-contained circuitry that permits for mode and color changes without any outer controllers needed. It is surface mountable with thin 0.5” through hull hole. Moreover, it produces colors such as blue, white, green, and many more.
4. Jiawill 60W CREE LED Surface Mount Underwater Boat Lights
This shock and vibration resistant underwater boat light has 316 marine grade stainless steel housing that has a shatterproof polycarbonate lens. It utilizes six Cree ten watts LEDs to produce white illumination or even 12 Cree LEDs for blue, green or red illumination. As well, it has exclusive over temperature protection that ensures it can operate outside the water without damage. It features super lower profile as well as smaller foot print.
3. TH Marine LED-51868-DP Underwater Light
This remarkable underwater boat light has six very bright LEDs with lower amperage draw as well as longer life with 100000 hours of continuous use than other ordinary bulbs. You can mount it above or even below the waterline, T-Tops, Trim-Tabs, Transoms and swim steps. It is made of high quality materials for maximum durability and safety. Additionally, it measures 3.5” x 1.5” x 1.2” and comes with a stainless steel insulation hardware.
2. Tidal Wake IP68 Underwater 1/2in Standard Boat Drain Plug LED Light
This boat light will simply help you to add underwater light to your boat in just minutes. It is ideal for nighttime fishing, swimming and cruising. Also, it has very bright 1800 lumen LED that offers added safety and visibility at night. It has waterproof fast-connect plug as well as storage bag for simple removal as well as storage when trailering.
1. Amarine-made 12v-24v 8W 180 LED 1000 Lumens IP68 Lure Bait Finder Night Fishing Boat Submersible Deep Drop Underwater Light
This amazing underwater boat light has six sided LED fishing light, 180 SMD very bright LED lights and 1000 lumens brightness. It is a 12V submersible deep drop underwater lamp. Also, it has very low battery consumption with a maximum of 50000 hours of continuous use. Moreover, it is made of high quality materials for maximum durability and safety.
Underwater boat lights are an ideal modification for any boat. Underwater boat lights provide numerous benefits. The above ate the top 10 best underwater boat lights in 2022 that will suit all your needs perfectly. We recommend that you choose and purchase any of the above lights for an even better outdoor experience.
What is an Underwater Boat Light
It is a light on the transom, under the hull, and outrigger spreader, among other different parts of the boat. The right light will create a brighter environment for a safer boating experience, even for night swimming. It warns other boaters of your presence. It makes it easier to traverse the dark waters. To add, it can light up fish and bait!
Types of Underwater Boat Lights
It is a light on the transom, under the hull, and outrigger spreader, among other different parts of the boat. The right light will create a brighter environment for a safer boating experience, even for night swimming. It warns other boaters of your presence. It makes it easier to traverse the dark waters. To add, it can light up fish and bait!
The best way to categorize the boat lights available is based on the main material and technology in the bulbs:
- HID (High-Intensity Discharge): HID bulb is the traditional choice for underwater lighting. They are known for their exceptional brightness. Plus, they also generate heat, which is a great way to prevent algae and other problems that can damage the light.
- LED (Light Emitting Diode): LED bulbs are more efficient. They produce less heat. It generates as much light as HID bulbs but consumes lesser energy. LED also offers customizability, allowing you to change the color of the lights as you desire.
Another good way to differentiate the types of underwater lights is through installation.
- Wired Lights: The products I mentioned in this buying guide belong to this group. They have wires that connect the bulbs to the power source.
- Wireless Lights: With wireless underwater boat lights, you don’t need to worry about drilling holes. You can attach them using double-sided tape or marine glue. They are also often battery-powered, which can limit light output.
More so, the types of underwater lighting also vary depending on their mounting options.
- Surface Mount: For most small boats and sailboats, this is the most popular option. It needs small holes for the screws and running the wire.
- Flush Mount: It is a bit more complicated since it requires flushing, so the wires should get in on the boat.
- Drain Plug: As the name implies, it is connected to the drain of the boat. Aside from providing light, releasing the plug will let you drain water in the boat.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Underwater Boat Lighting
Need more compelling reasons to install lighting under the boat? Below are some of its most notable benefits:
- Improve Aesthetics: Lighting your boat is a great way to improve its looks. Whether the lights are red, green, blue, and white, they will make your boat look good in the dark. It will command attention and turn heads even at night.
- Enhance Safety: Boating at night is risky. Collisions are common, especially when another boat is hard to notice. To improve your visibility, installing lights will help. It is an immediate warning to others that you are there.
- Attract Bait: If you want bait like shrimps and planktons to surround your boat, bright underwater LED lights are must-haves. As a result, the lights make it easier for fish to gather near your location. Green and white lights work best for this purpose.
- Improve Water Clarity: A marine-grade light comes in handy when the sun sets and you want to go for a swim. A good light will make it easier to see when you are in the water. Aside from safety, it also allows you to appreciate underwater beauty.
While underwater lighting has plenty of benefits, it can also have several drawbacks, including the following:
- Need to Drill Holes: In some cases, installing lighting requires drilling holes. The size of the light indicates the number of holes necessary. These holes can cause water to get in the boat if you are not careful with the assembly.
- Costly: Underwater boat lighting solutions vary in terms of price. A lot of high-quality lights are expensive. Although, as I note in my earlier recommendations, there are also affordable alternatives.
Buyer’s Guide
Finding the right brand and model of underwater boat lighting is not a walk in the park. To narrow down the possibilities, below are the most important details.
Color
The choice of color is important beyond aesthetics. Pick a light color compatible with a specific situation and application. Marine-grade lighting has single or multiple colors. There is a convenient switch or even a mobile app that will let you change the color lights manually.
Red, green, blue, and white are the most popular colors. Red light is for the left or portside, which warns another vessel that a boat is approaching. Green is for the starboard side. White repel bugs and it is great for shallow waters and sandy bottoms. Both green and white are useful for fishing. Blue light, meanwhile, is a relaxing color.
Installation
You don’t need to pay for the professional installation of marine-grade boat lighting. It is easy to do on your own, as long as you choose the right product. The best ones are those that do not require a lot of time and effort to install. Choose a light that does not require a lot of drilling. In most cases, a small hole for the mount and screws are all that you will need.
Brightness
It reflects the lighting output. The most important is the lumen rating. A higher number indicates a brighter light. Smaller lights have smaller lumens. For navigation, at least 600 lumens are necessary. Meanwhile, if you only want to create a dramatic and calming effect, then you can choose a lower rating.
Furthermore, I have a list of the top-rated battery-powered navigation lights and the perfect boat navigation lights for your preference.
Beam Width
This is the angle of view of the lighting. Larger boats require larger lights, especially in darker environments. It ranges from 90 to 120 degrees. Decide if you want the light to be narrow or wide to choose the appropriate beam width. For underwater lights for fishing, you need a wider beam to attract more fish.
Housing
To ensure the durability of the boat light, the housing construction is crucial. From marine-grade bronze alloy to aluminum, the materials vary. Most of the products I reviewed above come with stainless steel housing. Rust and corrosion resistance are important to guarantee longevity.
Energy Efficiency
Choose lights with minimal power consumption without compromising performance. With energy-efficient lighting, you won’t be draining the battery too fast. It does not demand a lot from your power system. LED lighting is the best option if efficiency is an important consideration for you.
Number of Bulbs
The light is more powerful the more bulbs are present. High-quality underwater boat lights have anywhere from 10 to 30 bulbs. Meanwhile, small lights will have as few as three bulbs. Consider the dimension of the boat and desired brightness to determine how many bulbs you need.
Size
Choose a marine-grade light with a size congruent to your boat. If you have a small boat, pick a small light. Three to four inches is enough for small boats. For larger boats, on the other hand, I recommend going up to ten inches.
Care and Maintenance
Underwater lights are prone to damages from marine life, including algae and barnacle. Exposure to saltwater also speeds up corrosion, unless the light is made of marine-grade stainless steel, aluminum, or bronze, among other similar materials. To maintain the light’s peak performance, below are the most important things to do.
- Check the lights regularly for any sign of damage. The earlier you see the problem, the quicker you can react. This prevents the issue from getting worse.
- Ensure proper installation. Keep the lighting tight and secure, preventing water from getting in.
- Once the boat is docked, use freshwater, mild soap, and brush to clean the lighting. This will rinse saltwater and other elements that cause long-term damage.
- Keep the light wires neat. Hide them in the boat. Otherwise, it is prone to damage if it is exposed.
- Pick the right cleaning materials. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasives. Use mild soap and a soft towel to prevent scratching the surface.
- If you are using portable underwater lights for boats, keep them in a safe place after using them. They often come with a storage bag to protect from dust and dirt.
Faq
What color underwater light is best?
The best color for underwater boat lights depends on its purpose. The white or green light is best for attracting bait. For better visibility, white is the best option. For aesthetics purposes, blue is a beautiful and calming color.
Where should underwater boat lights be installed?
The best place to install an underwater boat light is on a flat and unobstructed surface, at least six inches below the waterline. If possible, put it as deep in the transom as possible. This improves visibility when the boat is underway.
How do you install underwater boat lights?
The installation steps depend on whether you have a surface mount, flush-mount, drain plug, or any other type of boat light. Generally, here’s how to complete the installation.
- Start by positioning the boat in a dry area or any place where you can work comfortably.
- Determine the exact position where to install the boat light. Mark the area and make sure there is nothing inside it that can be damaged after drilling.
- Start drilling. Run the wires through the hole and connect it to a power supply. Follow the recommendations from the manufacturer for wiring underwater boat lights.
- Find the right position for the power box. Choose a dry place with sufficient ventilation.
- Test the light. If it doesn’t work, inspect the connections, making sure that they are right.
Will an underwater boat light attract fish?
Yes, the right lighting helps to attract fish around your boat. Any light under the water, regardless of its color, will illuminate the area. It will reflect tiny particles, including food, and this is what will draw the fish closer to the boat. Once the baitfish is around, it will attract larger fish, increasing the chances that you will have a fresh catch.
