Boat rigging ?'s

[korn_fish]

OK - I know this has been talked about before, but I am totally re-doing my boat and wanted to get everyones input on specific items.

1 - Deep Cycle batteries? Is there any true deep cycle batteries anymore or do they all come as some sort of hybrid.

2 - LED 12 volt lights vs Standard lights. I am looking at putting some Red LED lights inside my boat to give a soft red glow. Anyone do this or know of some good places to pick some up?

3 - 12 volt sockets. I assume any automotive shop will have these, but does anyone have any recommendations as to better models, waterproof etc?

4 - Rocker panel switch plate. I have only been able to find the single swithces and not a plate to add multiple swithces. Anyone know where I can pick up a plate?

5 - RED flood lights. Do they make these or will I have to make my own lens cover do acheive this.

6 - Foam under the floor. Anyone know of a place that I can get the void under my floor filled with foam? And what would the cost be?

[Mr Special]

Korn_fish,

On the batteries there are just Deep Cycle out there. They will hold more hours or reserve then a deep cycle/starting of the same dimension and cheaper. I actually prefer
a starting battery for the motor and deepcycles for trolling and accessories. Now with the rocker panel and light sockets any auto parts store should have them. Where ya located? If your in the metro I can help on that.

Good luck

[Dennis Steele]

Hey Korn
I know I have seen switch panels with the switches at the stores you work for.Other wise Cabela's has them.
As you well know a white light shined in a cats eyes is going to make him difficult to land.I use nothing at all to land a fish or if its a dark night a red headlamp(flashlight).I can't see good enough to tie up under red so I have regular white lights for interior.I think the LEDs are the way to go though.THey use a lot less battery power.Maybee some LED trailer markers for interior? Never seen a red driving light but do have a spot with a red lense bought from that place you work.
Don't buy the cheap black platic 12volt power outlets that they sell in the marine section of sporting good store or marine shops.They don't hold up.Get good metal ones at the Auto parts store.
Some home insulation companies have the spray in foam.THey could easily spray foam under the floor.Try contacting one of them.One thing to consider though,It will fill the channels in the bottom of the boat and you may have a tough time draining some areas of the boat.

[korn_fish]

Dennis, MrSpecial - Thanks for the info.

Dennis - I no longer work for "that store" I am now working for a software company in downtown mpls.

I found a switch panal online for $30 compared to $50+ for the exact same item at Cabelas and "my old store" .

Yep, going to go with Red LED's for the interior. I have the exact same spotlight that you use with the Red lens cover as well.

I am going to try and use the red "fix it kits" that they make for tailights and use it to cover the floodlight lens and see how that works for making a red floodlight.

for landing a fish, I currently use a headlamp that has a red LED, white LED and a regular halogen bulb but keep it on the red LED. But usually, I always had a "Dual Fuel" lantern running which provided enough soft glow around the boat and didn't need a headlamp. That, by the way is going to be a thing of the past. The white glow brings in to many bugs and with LED's, I can turn them on and off when needed instead of having to keep the lantern going all night.

[This message has been edited by korn_fish (edited 04-22-2004).]

[Roughfisher]

You can also get LED's and switch panels at Axeman for cheap.

[fiskyknut]

If you guys are interested in LED rope lighting do a seach using platinum lighting as keywords and check out all their LED stuff. This stuff is sweet, I've seen it rigged in ice huts and boats.....Awesome stuff.

fiskyknut