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Author Topic: What To Expect...Port-Star Thru Hull  (Read 845 times)

August 23, 2018, 09:46:07 PM
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boatnamesue

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What To Expect...Port-Star Thru Hull
« on: August 23, 2018, 09:46:07 PM »
1976 170

Before I go drilling port and starboard thru hull to install inset "shark eye" bow nav lights, I'd like to know if anyone has experience installing these.  The actual installation is simple, but there's just something counterintuitive to drilling holes thru the hull and cap.  Any pearls those of you whom have installed care to share?
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Jason
1976 AS 170
1998 S115TLRW

August 23, 2018, 11:54:46 PM
Reply #1

Marcel4t

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Re: What To Expect...Port-Star Thru Hull
« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2018, 11:54:46 PM »
I know this is not the answer to your question, but I was thinking of doing those shark eye lights but will instead try the Taco Marine Rubrail nav lights. Only a small hole needs to be drilled.  But I'm sure someone will chime in with the answer to your question. Here's a link to a video about them...

https://youtu.be/sOq2YC5AyZc
1971 222

August 24, 2018, 06:29:30 AM
Reply #2

RickK

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Re: What To Expect...Port-Star Thru Hull
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2018, 06:29:30 AM »
I have not installed those lights but I do know every inch of my boat above and below deck and drilling the holes is the easy part.  Everything you do will have to be done via the small anchor locker in the front (unless you're going to add pie hole access plates in the liner on each side). Splicing wire onto the existing nav light wire will be a challenge but can be done. My original nav light wire was attached to the bottom of the cap with strips of wet fiberglass that hardened and in the process hardened on the wire so I could not pull any extra wire (if there was some, which there wasn't any) to work with. If you keep the lights up close to the bow that would make snaking the wires to the new holes easier. 
Rick
1971 "170" with 115 Johnson (It's usable but not 100% finished)

1992 230 Explorer with 250 Yamaha

August 24, 2018, 07:40:57 AM
Reply #3

mshugg

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Re: What To Expect...Port-Star Thru Hull
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2018, 07:40:57 AM »
Did they include instructions for locating the lights fore and aft?  To be legal as nav lights they need to be visible from dead ahead to 112.5 degrees aft.

 I have a set of the Livorsi shark eye lights, and they specify that the lights be mounted 24 degrees off the centerline. 

Locating your lights at the right hull angle is essential, and as Rick pointed out above, it may not be the same place you can get access.

August 24, 2018, 09:50:50 AM
Reply #4

GoneFission

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Re: What To Expect...Port-Star Thru Hull
« Reply #4 on: August 24, 2018, 09:50:50 AM »
Are you planning to install a t-top?  If so, consider mounting your nav lights on the t-dop.  They are out of the way, very visible, and wiring may be easier too.   :tme:
Cap'n John
1980 22-2 CCP
Mercury 200 Optimax 
ASPA0345M80I
"Gone Fission"
ClassicAquasport Member #209


August 24, 2018, 11:07:48 PM
Reply #5

boatnamesue

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Re: What To Expect...Port-Star Thru Hull
« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2018, 11:07:48 PM »
Prepped the lights this evening before installing tomorrow.  Spliced in extra length for each lead.  These leads will be fed through the thru-hull, from outside to inside bow locker (Rickk).  Once lights are mounted and wire leads inside bow locker the remaining splices to load and ground are easy.  Good to hear from Rickk the drilling of holes is the easy part...ugh.  I've got the areas to be cut out sketched via template.  I plan on laying down a layer of tape on top of template before using 1/2"-3/4" hole saw to drill-out primary access...then use a small hand saw with fine tooth blade to cutout remaining template...slowly.  I'll snap a few pics of end result and post here.  RE: angle of beam....my previous bow nav lights were in the rub rail and set to uscg spec.  I'm using their former location as the guide for setting the new lights at same arc.
---------------
Jason
1976 AS 170
1998 S115TLRW

August 26, 2018, 07:32:17 PM
Reply #6

boatnamesue

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Re: What To Expect...Port-Star Thru Hull
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2018, 07:32:17 PM »
Final product...no surprises during prep and installation.  Rickk was spot on..cutting out the rectangular thru hull was simple.  Borrowed an AC powered drimmel...this made it very easy to widen the thru hull, millimeter by millimeter so the lights would just fit in nice and snug.  The wire management inside the bow locker is what took the most time.  I use the locker to store 2 life vests, 50ft of rope, chain, and anchor.  I had to carefully arrange the wires so nothing would pull on them when moving the anchor and rope in and out of locker.  Very arduous working inside that locker...plus it was 90ยบ at 10am.  Anyway, very happy with the result.  LED's too, so at least it gives me comfort knowing they won't need replacing for as long as I have this rig.












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Jason
1976 AS 170
1998 S115TLRW

August 26, 2018, 08:35:19 PM
Reply #7

RickK

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Re: What To Expect...Port-Star Thru Hull
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2018, 08:35:19 PM »
Nice!
Rick
1971 "170" with 115 Johnson (It's usable but not 100% finished)

1992 230 Explorer with 250 Yamaha

August 26, 2018, 10:35:13 PM
Reply #8

boatnamesue

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Re: What To Expect...Port-Star Thru Hull
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2018, 10:35:13 PM »
Considering the incredibly low sale price of these LED's compared to the price I saw for the same style LED when in west marine ($178), I wasn't sure how bright they'd be.  I knew they'd be good enough to get by and be legal, but I wasn't expecting a booming illumination.  Look at the reflected light on the pavement!  And if you're wondering...$37 via Amazon...linked below.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D9J48M7/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

---------------
Jason
1976 AS 170
1998 S115TLRW

August 28, 2018, 09:37:20 AM
Reply #9

CTsalt12

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Re: What To Expect...Port-Star Thru Hull
« Reply #9 on: August 28, 2018, 09:37:20 AM »
Thanks for sharing.  I think I'll make that upgrade during the next offseason for me in the northeast, as my trolling motor partially blocks the nav lights mounted atop the deck, like yours.
Jimbo
1989 175 Osprey

August 28, 2018, 10:18:56 AM
Reply #10

Onebadlarry

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Re: What To Expect...Port-Star Thru Hull
« Reply #10 on: August 28, 2018, 10:18:56 AM »
Huge fan of that setup. Nicely done.

August 28, 2018, 11:18:39 PM
Reply #11

boatnamesue

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Re: What To Expect...Port-Star Thru Hull
« Reply #11 on: August 28, 2018, 11:18:39 PM »
......as my trolling motor partially blocks the nav lights mounted atop the deck, like yours.

...^^^ the exact reason causing the removal of my bow surface nav lantern.  Went to rub rail lights first, which wasn't such a good move.  Very limited options on the market for these lights, most of which are el-chepo from China, poorly constructed and single-strand wire leads.  Then decided on the below rub rail LEDs, as you see pictured.  Definitely pleased with result.  Thanks all for compliments.
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Jason
1976 AS 170
1998 S115TLRW

 

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