Ropelight?

[erkoehler]

What do you prefer, rope light or LED's to light up the interior of the boat?

I was thinking of running some rope light down the sides of the boat on each side of the interior in the gunnels, and under the drivers console.

How much money, does anybody know of a web site to recommmend, and what are everyones opinion?

[Leroy]

There is a thread on cluster and rope led's that is good. I want to try some cluster led's around my boat. But the lighting is pretty good already.

I also like the thought of putting led rope around.

[milkmania]

how are these rope lights attached in and around the boat?

I searched google and found a lot of different styles... like these
http://www.christmaslightsetc.com/rope-light.asp?CategoryID=131&CatalogID=1

[Lake_Tippy_Skier]

this is who we get our lights (http://www.vistamfg.com/products.php?m=products&t=Vista%20Products) from for the pontoons. we have been using them for years, real reliable.

[erkoehler]

How does the wiring hook ups work?

[zberger]

Keep in mind that these will need to be 12v lights..

[erkoehler]

The link that Lake Tippy put up has 12V ones. I just wanted to know how difficult they are to get setup.

[Andyg]

I installed LED rope lights in the gunnels and under the drivers dash. This is where I bought my rope lights from. Sailor Sams (http://www.sailorsams.com/) It cost me $69.08 to do both gunnels and under the drivers dash. I did not buy the plug they sell. Instead I bought the butt end connector and ran my wires directly to that. I used the clear mounting track and 3m double sided tape. Running the wires was probably the hardest and that wasn't too bad. Here is a photo of one of the gunnels from my project.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

now that is just TOO cool!!!!! :toast: :banana: :woohoo:

I love that!!!

[erkoehler]

I installed LED rope lights in the gunnels and under the drivers dash. This is where I bought my rope lights from. Sailor Sams (http://www.sailorsams.com/) It cost me $69.08 to do both gunnels and under the drivers dash. I did not buy the plug they sell. Instead I bought the butt end connector and ran my wires directly to that. I used the clear mounting track and 3m double sided tape. Running the wires was probably the hardest and that wasn't too bad. Here is a photo of one of the gunnels from my project.


How long did the entire job take you?

[Workin' 4 Toys]

Definetly go with the LEDs. There is a company I read about somewhere that has color changing leds on a dial. Set it as you want and change it when you want. If I can find the site again I will post it. Very cool stuff.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

man, I just may have to do that..... I love lights.

I was thinking, since my color scheme on my boat is blue & gray, I should probably go with blue lights.....Whatcha think? I see that link to the vista place sells blue ones. I just think the red would clash with the blue interior. Of course, its at night, so whats the difference....you arent going to see the blue, and the carpeting is grey, so I suppose its not that big of a deal. I like red, but the blue may be cool too.

any input?

[AIRCANX09]

I was surprised to see the local MC dealer ( boat was a demo) had put led's under our gunnel. 3 small lights, 1 small wire. Way too cool in the dark. I too have grey interior, stay with blue.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

:D thanks for the tip on the blue!! :wavey:

I am such a sucker for lights!! If you people saw the truck I had in high school, you would laugh your asses off!! It was peppered with lights....inside and out. I grew out of that phase, but man, I nicely done light job in teh gunnels, and under the dash would be too cooL!!.

I am going to have to look in to this! :headbang:

[Andyg]

How long did the entire job take you?


This is what I installed in my 197.

7 Light Clusters with 3 LEDs each under the swim platform.
4 Light clusters with 4 LEDs each in the exhaust vents.
5 1/2 ft of LED rope light under each gunnel
2 1/2 ft of LED rope light under drivers dash.
1 Light cluster with 4 LEDs in the glove box
3 Light clusters with 3 LEDs in the floor cooler
4 light clusters with 4 LEDs in the storage locker

The total install took me about 2 weeks. I figured I had about 25hrs into it. Now that I did it once I could probably have it done in no more than 10 hours. I ripped everything out at least twice and redid it becuase I didn't like how I installed it.

To do the gunnels and dash only took about 3 hours so that was by far the easiest.

[Andyg]

I was surprised to see the local MC dealer ( boat was a demo) had put led's under our gunnel. 3 small lights, 1 small wire. Way too cool in the dark. I too have grey interior, stay with blue.

If it is a newer boat (2003 and up) I beleive they come with the LEDs in the gunnels for Courtesy lights. At least my 2003 did.