Rail Mounted Solar Lights

[Astrid]

Original antique ones are bloody expensive and hard to find in a decently matched pair, however these are fairly nice:

Ships Lantern Brass Port & Starboard XL - 11" | Vermont Lanterns

original oil lamps---

Ships Navigation Lights, Nautical Lanterns, Red and Green Port and Starboard Lights, Clear Masthead and Anchor Lights, Boat Signal Lanterns and Naval Lamps

[JPA Cate]

IMO, garden lights are inadequate because they get dimmer and dimmer as the night progresses. They are never bright as a proper anchor light; then fade away. If y'all in Mexico have found them useful, then hats off to you, but I detest them because people here think they substitute for a proper anchor light, and in the wee hours of the morning, they are almost invisible!

In case you wonder about this, my worst experience was in the Burnett River, near the Bundaberg Port Marina, in Australia, where we couldn't see boats at anchor who were using them for anchor lights! Only the [offensive] big spotlight could illuminate their boats....scary at a landfall.

Ann Cate, s/v Insatiable II, Tasmania.

[Rubikoop]

Originally Posted by geoffschultz

I was hoping that someone out there had found a great rail mounted solar light. I'm about to head down to my boat on the Pacific side of Mexico and will be headed to El Salvador. It seems that everyone uses solar lights to mark their boats as the locals driving pangas at night don't seem to look up for anchor lights, but they seem to be able to avoid boats with these. At least that's the theory...and yes, I do run an anchor light.

Anyhow, I was hoping that someone found a rail mounted solar led light that holds up in a marine environment.

-- Geoff

You are worried about lights? I think you should be checking your standing rigging on Blue Jacket instead. :-) I enjoy your blog. I'm Kimber on the Freedom site.

I replace my rail lights about every couple of years. I grab a handful at Home Depot when they are on sale. About the time the battery dies the fixture itself is about shot. At $3-$5/light it seems like a reasonable investment. I also use a Bibi anchor light and solar rope light in the cockpit.

[LostAtSea2011]

These are pretty nice....a boat at my marina has them and they look pretty good. http://www.marinesolarlights.com/_solarraillights.php

[zeehag]

when these garden lights are wired into the ship's system, they work all night long. i understand this is not a difficult maneuver to accomplish.

[MarkJ]

They come with a 900 miliamphour battery. Take it our and replace with 2,500 miliamphour and it will go all night

[Badsanta]

Most dont know there is a differance. They look the same but not. Great info. Thanks

[bmm32005]

Check out the Navisafe lights at Ahotcaptain.com. I mount mine on my Davits. It is LED and also comes in the red and green. Very happy with mine. I also stick it on the bimini and it works great for a cockpit light.

[Nimble1]

MarkJ has the right idea! This is what I did to some solar lights that I have mounted on my boat lift and they do run all night long. Also they are cheap stainless WM lights and they still look pretty good after 3 years!
And if you want the brightest and longest lasting, check out :

Dock Edge + [ Your Dock, Your Way ] :: Products

I have two on pilings on my dock and they are bright all night long! Not cheap but great lights.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

They come with a 900 miliamphour battery. Take it our and replace with 2,500 miliamphour and it will go all night

Yeah I need to boat somewhere where the sun actually comes out !!!

Dave

[Astrid]

Yeah I need to boat somewhere where the sun actually comes out !!!

Me too!

[redsky49]

I have been pleased with these. Moderately bright, and they will go all night, even with less than optimum charging sunlight

:RailLight Premium Overview - Solar Powered LED Light


As with all things marine, I am sure that they will eventually succumb to the elements, but so far, so good. Note that they are used in conjunction with an approved anchor light.

[DustyThomas]

You may have found some by now but here are the two sights I found for my yacht Solar Rail Lights and Amazon.com: SolarKandle Solar Rail Light: Patio, Lawn & Garden. I choose the realrec one personally.