I recently upgraded the deck lighting on my boat to enhance safety, particularly when anchoring in dark conditions. I chose 45-watt LED floodlights from Amazon, called Jaslites, with 5,500 lumens for bright, stable illumination. They’re designed for harsh marine environments, featuring waterproof DT connectors, an IP67 rating, and aluminum heat sinks for enhanced durability.
I mounted one light at the flybridge helm to light up the anchor area and another at the stern to illuminate the dinghy and swim platform, though I had to add washers to the stainless steel brackets due to a slight mismatch.
To install the lights, I wired them into the boat’s existing circuitry, adding 5-amp inline fuses for protection and temporary automotive switches, which I plan to upgrade to marine-grade ones. The forward light is connected through a 12-volt plug at the helm, and the stern light is wired with the anchor light on the mast.
Testing them at night, both lights performed impressively, brightly illuminating the bow and stern, making nighttime tasks like adjusting the anchor or accessing the dinghy much safer and easier.
Boat Deck Lighting Upgrade Video – 1976 CHB Trawler
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