Quick Question on Docking Lights

[Jeff T]

I have read this post:
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3348&highlight=shark+eye
but I still want to clear something up. Docking lights are the lights below the rub rail on the bow. The shark eye navigaion lights are a replacement for the top mount nav light and are also mounted below the rub rail. You can have both, as demonstrated in the picture on post #17 in the above thread.

Either way, both docking lights AND shark eye bow lights are to be mounted BELOW the rub rail?? Shark eye lights are colored similar to the top mount nav light and the docking lights are white light.

I ordered docking lights, but no shark eye bow lights. At the time, I thought I was clear on the difference. Now, my head is screwing with me...

[evil0ne]

You are correct. It sounds like you'll have the white docking lights below the rubrail and the typical nav light on the bow. I forgot how far along your new boat is but it may still be possible to change it. Lee?

[zad0030]

You are correct,

Shark eye bow lights-red and green nav lights mounted below the rub rail

Docking lights-White lights mounted below the rubrail

NAV lights-red and green lights on top of the bow.

You ordered the docking lights and no shark eye bow lights(red and green)
So you will have the red and green light on top of the bow, and white lights below the rubrail.

[lee]

Correct.

[lee]

You are correct,

Shark eye bow lights-red and green nav lights mounted below the rub rail

Docking lights ( may be refered to as shark eye lights?)- white docking lights below the rubrail

NAV lights-red and green lights on top of the bow.

You ordered the docking lights and no shark eye bow lights(red and gree)
So you will have the red and green light on top of the bow, and white lights below the rubrail.

Docking lights are not shark eye lights.

[whitlock87]

?Question.
If docking lights do not work well, then why do people still get them?
After reading the other post, it seams that docking lights are just a waste of money.
So this brings up one more question.
If you want to do something to make it easer to load your boat on the trailer at night, would it be better to light up the trailer then install some sort of docking lights?

Thanks David

[zad0030]

?Question.
If docking lights do not work well, then why do people still get them?
After reading the other post, it seams that docking lights are just a waste of money.
So this brings up one more question.
If you want to do something to make it easer to load your boat on the trailer at night, would it be better to light up the trailer then install some sort of docking lights?

Thanks David

You raise a good point. Some people expect them to be headlights, which they are not. They are merely for illuminating you approach to the dock or trailer. I pulled a supra up on a trailer at night, used the docking lights, when starting my approach I lined up with the tailights of the truck. Once I got closer they did illuminate the trailer enough that I could see it. The also could be good for spotting obstacles in the water you wouldnt normally see, logs, buoys, etc.
Yes i believe some trailer have illuminated bunks, which would work well. but like I said before they are not headlights, and they pretty much assist you to the trailer or dock or even beach. This is all my opinion, hope it answers your questions.

[Jeff T]

Thanks all.

[Tanner]

Here is a pic of my boat w/ both the shark eyes and the docking lights. The Shark eyes are the top lights and the docking lights are obviously the other.

Sorry for the quality... it's a camera phone.

[chpthril]

?Question.
If docking lights do not work well, then why do people still get them?
After reading the other post, it seams that docking lights are just a waste of money.
So this brings up one more question.
If you want to do something to make it easer to load your boat on the trailer at night, would it be better to light up the trailer then install some sort of docking lights?

Thanks David

I prefer to good ol' human night vision and line the bow up with the license plate light.

Like Zad said, bytime the docking lights hit the trailer, you're there.

[Domsz06]

if you want lights at night, put a light bar up, and have some facing forward, otherwise your night vision is the best. The other option is to put some lights on your truck, facing backwards. Lights on the trailers will just burn out when the water hits them, since even the waterproof ones leak one day.

[T*]

Docking Lights are moderately helpful when putting the the boat on the trailer at night - I prefer having them on v. not having them (as in the past).

Also - They Look Cool! (somone had to say it) when you're rolling up the the ramp after dusk - it definitely attracts attention. Or maybe it's because the sound system is hitting so hard... in any event, people take notice.

I read somewhere that it is illegal to run the boat on plane with the docking lights. Not an issue, however, as they don't illuminate far enough ahead if you're going at any kind of speed.

[chpthril]

I read somewhere that it is illegal to run the boat on plane with the docking lights. Not an issue, however, as they don't illuminate far enough ahead if you're going at any kind of speed.

The biggest concern is that an approuching boat may not see your nav lights and mistake your docking lights for a stern/360 light and not realize that you are heading right at each other.

They are cool, but we have some pontoon boaters that think they are headlights. They do kill your night vision when you pass a boat w/ them on.

[evil0ne]

The biggest concern is that an approuching boat may not see your nav lights and mistake your docking lights for a stern/360 light and not realize that you are heading right at each other.

They are cool, but we have some pontoon boaters that think they are headlights. They do kill your night vision when you pass a boat w/ them on.

I hope to not be on the lake when it is that dark unless its anchored for the night.