www.iFourWinns.com

I'm toying with the idea of putting some underwater lights on the back of the 318... Not much interest in the 4k pricetag that Four Winns charges, but I found some Ocean LED amphibian series that are pretty affordable. We really like the LEDs on the back of our H240. The Vista's don't have that option. Just the big $$ factory options.

I don't want to light up the world, but just having a little something would be pretty sweet.

Question is - where on the stern would you put them?

Ideally - they'd go right where the trim tabs are. Problem is, the tabs are in the way!

What to do?

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

I have the LED lights on the back of my 278. I sure don't recall them costing 4K. I remember trading the pillow package for the LED lights. I do like the lights. I've had a number of comments on them when I'm in the Marina at night and also when I'm underway. Mine are blue and so is the boat. I also put blue rope lights around the slip. Mine are under the swimdeck facing down toward the water. They relect off the water and it's hard to tell where they are mounted.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

well if the trim tabs are in the way....



They are $750 a pair (four lights total) but install looks easy enough.

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2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

this is going to be a spring time project for me... i am installing a 36 inch neon tube that i purchase at auto zone right under the swim platform. i want to wire it into my anchor light. we will see how it goes. i think someone on this forum installed a neon rope in the same place (right under the swim platform). i've seen the in-hull led lights and they are sweet, they're usually just below the water line on the hull, a lot of the bigger fishing boats have them... to attract attention and fish...

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2004 268 Vista "Satisfy My Sol"

Our H240 has the LED pods mounted on the swim platform firing down - and they do look awesome.

I was thinking of going to the underwater lights. Ocean LED has some "Amphibian" model LED's that draw about 1amp for the pair. Those halogen ones were/are quite a bit more.

The one's I am thinking of are kind of like this:

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Here is where mine are


One season has come and gone with them in the water. No probles at all. The green ones are very cool. It makes it very easy to find the boat at night when on the hook as well

Go to http://www.randpcarriages.com they have waterproof LED lights that you could mount through the hull or maybe on the tabs. They come in several different colours too.
Here is a clear unit
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Single-bullet-LED-light-11-16-dia-waterproof-WHITE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ50069QQihZ016QQitemZ260309244023

Here is a blue unit also
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Single-bullet-LED-light-11-16-dia-waterproof-BLUE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ50069QQihZ022QQitemZ350024239744

They are quite inexpensive at less than $10 each. I have ordered other components form this company and there service and knowledge is excellent.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Are you regularly in fresh or salt water? Which lights are those on your tabs?

Might want to replace the screws holding the platform bracket. Now while there's still enough to them to get them out. Before they rust out completely and let water leak into your transom coring, if they haven't already.

The Hurley stuff looks nice enough but the pricing borders on gouging.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I am in brackish water for six months a year. I got the lights off of ebay. They were being sold as pond lighting. I changed the light bulbs out for 5 watt led bulbs. They had mr21 bulbs in them before. They are made out of bronze and aside from the material they are mad of and the mount, they look exactly like the other lights in this post. I paid 120 for both the lights and the bulbs.
As far as the screws go, already took care of that.

When I nearly pulled the trigger on a 318 about ten months ago, I had spec'd it with the 4K lighting option. Of all the 318s I looked at, I never did see the underwater kit installed. If I jump on a leftover I'm just going to call the factory and see what they did - the factory pic shows a nice light distribution. I'd really like to see it in person. Might be worth a trip up to the factory to check it out if I go the DIY route. BTW, congrats on that 318!

I just can't imagine why the lights area 4 thousand dollar option from the factory -- but then, looking at Ocean LED online - those lights are anything but expensive.

I know I want LED over halogen - just for the power consumption and longevity purposes.

I'm still trying to figure out what might be best. I still have some time to work on this issue.

mkivbren - If there was ever a time to buy a newer/bigger boat -- now is definitely the time. I've been looking at all sorts of cruisers (from Meridians on down) - and both my wife and I are very pleased with the direction we have chosen.

It's definitely a buyer's market -- and if you have a trade in to consider -- ask lots of dealers -- I found trade in value varies greatly between dealers.

Fortunately, there was only one dealer that I was only serious about buying from -- so, it made my choices pretty simple.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Rather then make a new thread, here's the factory UW lighting setup..



A light to the outside of each drive. They appear halogen but I have no clue really.

Maybe I'll get to see what it looks like in the mirky Chesapeake in the near future

Under the swim platform facing down gets my vote.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I wonder about the reflection if the lights are above water.

I like that placement of the lights from the factory.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Cougar:

Where on your 240 wer the lights? I am thinkng abou the same for my 260...but not sure where to put them...

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Optimus Prime
Now: 2007 Horizon 260, (2007/08 brochure boat)
Previous: 1995 Sea Ray Signature Select 220
Tow: '07 Avalanche LTZ
Seattle and Chelan, WA