Association Forum - Interior lighting suggestions?

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Interior lighting suggestions?

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Kper
Captain

Member Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/13/2013 : 18:59:09

By now all the frequent readers should know we recently purchased our first sailboat with all the silly newbie questions we've had. The trip home yesterday was close to ending in disaster and we didn't even know it - a story for later, maybe. We'd like to jump right in and start sailing her but after getting her home we realized that we need to take care of a few things before getting her wet, like, re-bedding everything.

Anyway, without having sailed a C-25 what would everyone recommend for lighting and fixture locations? We don't ever seem to do anything without going "all in" and this boat is no exception, so it seems.

I'd like to do a complete rewire... after 35 years the wiring could use some attention and I'd like to start from scratch. Am I crazy to consider this? I'd like to add an updated control panel, ambient lighting in the cabin and cockpit, a stereo and nicer light fixtures.

The Mrs thinks we may need to spend some time on the water to get a feel for where light fixtures may be required or appreciated.

Kyle
'86 SR/SK/Dinette #5284 "Anodyne"
In the barn where we found her...

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

2402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2013 : 19:58:35

Use tinned marine grade wire.
http://www.marinco.com/brand/ancor
You will not be able to pull new wire where the old wire went, it was run during construction. LEDs are the thing now and the low amperage draw is a real advantage. I have bought a lot of fixtures from boaterbits.
http://stores.ebay.com/Boaterbits?_rdc=1

Rebedding everything sounds extreme but DO NOT just put a bead of silicon around everything! If something is leaking someone here will have specific info about rebedding that item... all deck fittings will not be equally, uh, easy.

Edited by - on

ftworthsailor
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
279 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2013 : 20:17:16

Kyle,
I am in pretty much the same situation that you are in. I have a beautiful (to me) C-25, that needed (and still does) so much work before and after she gets put back in the water.

I THINK that my last act before putting her in is to do a strong bottom coat job and then she will be off that single axle, home made death trap of a trailer, where I can add a new series of things to worry about.

I haven't put the mast up yet because I want to reseat and reseal all the deck hardware and shroud plates. Then I will finish building my home made GIN pole that will allow me to raise and lower the mast at will on or off the water.

I will definitely have to redo my wiring since the PO not only removed the master breaker panel, he ripped out most of the wiring as far as I can tell. So I will have to rewire this at some point, as well.

I am with your Mrs. regarding the lighting issue. I have some of those battery powered closet lights scattered about the cabin as well as a battery powered LED lantern. I have the same thoughts about temporarily placing them to find not only the best location based on where we will be, but also like the lights that have three levels of LED lighting (low, med, and high).

I know that eventually, with patience, time, and money, she will be back in action...........oh, did I say patience? Thats the hard part.

R

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2013 : 21:02:58

These are extremely nice, though not cheap:
http://www.lumiteclighting.com/products/recreational-marine/interior-lights/dome-lights/aurora

They have a nice diffuse light, have built in dimmers, and come in versions that can do red and white (nice to have one of those in the cabin).

I tried many models of LED lights from DrLED and would recommend against them. That Aurora light is about the same price as must of them and has nicer color, the built in dimmer, and a higher built quality.

These provide a lot of light at a budget price:
http://store.lunasealighting.com/32cc.html

On my Catalina 25 I had one of those over the dinette, with a small wire running up from the original light location under the window. That light is really sufficient to light up the cabin by itself. If anything it can be too bright after dinner.

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2013 : 04:11:11

I added six of these battery operated LED puck lights, four in the main cabin, one in v-berth, and one in the head. No wiring needed and the batteries have lasted over a year. I also rigged up two, on straps, and hang them from the boom if I need light in the cockpit.

A side benefit is that I can turn them on without having to turn on the battery switch.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2013 : 04:44:14

To heck with the lights... I want to hear about the trip home..

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4312 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2013 : 09:16:48

I was on the Aqua Signal website last night and they have a whole line of interior lighting that looked very nice.

I'd rather hear about the trip home too!

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2013 : 16:26:01

Ok, ok... It's not all that exciting, though. We picked up the boat and trailered it an hour and a half to a marina where a friend is the assistant manager. It's located about halfway between where we purchased it and home. It was an uneventful trip even though I felt as though I was always on alert never having never towed anything so high off the ground.

Our friend took a look at it when we reached the marina and as we said our good-byes he turned to walk away and did a double take on the trailer. He discovered there we no bolts holding one of the pads supporting the hull. When he lowered the pad to inspect it, the pad fell off the support. Only the weight of the boat had kept the pad in place.

Edited by - on

ftworthsailor
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
279 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2013 : 19:36:10

then what?

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2013 : 21:58:37

http://littleboatiris.blogspot.ca/2012/03/let-there-be-light.html

Edited by - on

Tomas Kruska
Admiral

Members Avatar

Czech Republic
522 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2013 : 00:55:36

If you want to do something DIY (light source is LED with G4 socket):

Edited by - on

hewebb
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2013 : 04:28:58

I replaced all the interior fixtures with LED fixtures from Catalina Direct. I found the same fixtures at the RV store for a little more money and did not have the square trim piece. I also have three battery puck lights to add, but haven't decided where to put them yet. For cockpit light I hang a Coleman LED lantern from the bimini. I also hang it from the pop top inside as it gives better light for dining than the on board lights.

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2013 : 07:24:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ftworthsailor
 then what?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Well, we fixed it.
In hind sight I should have knocked the block out, let the support rub a hole in the hull on the way home, total the boat and buy a newer one! Ok, back to reality.

Edited by - on

CarbonSink62
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
208 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2013 : 10:24:36

I'm also upgrading the cabin lights on my C25 this season.

Different strokes for different folks, but I dislike the puck lights. I had 2 that came with the boat; I put in new batteries and put them up with double sticky foam tape. They were lame. The light quality was poor and there wasn't enough of it. The tech improves every year, and I know they were at least three years old.

Last year, I put a red/white LED on a 12" gooseneck just forward of the galley. It worked out really well, so I'm adding two more; one at the forward end of each settee. These will be the reading lights and the 'rig for red' lights for finding gear while sailing at night.

The 12V cabin lights installed by Catalina are crap (sorry for my salty language) and poorly positioned to boot. I've already added a 16 watt 2 bulb overhead fluorescent from WM and it rocks! It does not provide "good enough light, considering it is a 12V fixture." No, it provides excellent light, period. This was one of my first projects this year so that I could work late on other projects. I mounted it to the overhead slightly off to the port side so that crew walking down the stbd side wouldn't hit it with their (clumsy) heads.

I'll post some pics when I'm all done.

Ken

LED Goosenecks: I got mine from Amazon, but I can't see them there now. Pretty sure these are them

http://www.goodboatgear.com/detail/18446/%20Gaborone%20LED%20Chart%20Light?gclid=CIPw1v6SzbYCFTBxQgodmHUAcQ I paid $37 each (I think)

Overhead fluorescent: West Marine 8699597 (TaylorBrite - EF16WW)

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001& storeId=11151& partNumber=8699605& langId=-1& searchKeyword=fluorescent lights#.UWwwccqwduo

I paid $72

Edited by - on

sethp001
Mainsheet C-25 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

814 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2013 : 14:38:29

Don't get crap lights at Walmart. Mine didn't last a single season on an inland lake. Get marine grade.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2013 : 20:07:05

Installed an 8 switch/circuit breaker BEP panel mainly to facilitate turning on nav lights, etc without having to leave the cockpit. Moved most switches to the new panel. Old panel between the cabin steps still functioning and still has two circuits connected to it. More details of the new panel install on my website. Includes fan installs and an additional 12 volt accessory outlet up forward in the main cabin. All mast wiring replaced and anchor light changed to an LED OGM fixture. Cabin lights (festoon bulbs) replaced with LEDs from Catalina Direct.

Edited by - OLarryR on 04/16/2013 03:51:17

Kper
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2013 : 02:52:15

Thanks everyone for your input. I now have a ton of info to dissect and ponder!

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2013 : 04:24:08

Here's my $6 LED light from Lowes. Very cheap and easy to wire up.

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23016&SearchTerms=lowes

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3477 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2013 : 05:10:49

West Marine dome lights..

not very bright so ya gotta spread them around... good for small spaces like the bunks.. but this was the product from 2009.. who knows what they are selling this year. I had different color light from different year runs.. I added a pretty expensive Mars LED dome light over the port aft sink ( Galley ) which is bright/very bright ( 2 settings )and I use if I really want some light. It is not on in this shot.

The west marine dome lights have a red setting I really like also.

Edited by - redeye on 04/16/2013 05:12:09

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.