Bowfishing light mounting options?

[wislnwings]

I'm working on setting up my mud-boat for bowfishing redfish and gar. I have the lights and am trying to decide how to mount and wire them.  I want the setup to be easily removable since this is also my duck boat and there is a pop-up blind on it during the fall.  So that brings me to my question, can I see some pics of your set-ups to help me in my quest for the perfect solution?  The boat is a 17 foot Gator Trax with the additional hunt deck.  The front deck has railings on two sides and a removable headlight bar on the bow.  I am thinking about mounting the lights to the side rails somehow and on top of the headlight bar.  I do not want to add the weight (or expense) of an elevated deck to shoot from, so I will be shooting from the front deck.  Here are a few pics of the front deck area to give an idea of what I'm working with.
 
 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

how about making a bracket to hold the lights and using C-clamps to hold that to the boat. The wires can be duct tape out of the way or use those little stick'ems that you can get from electrical supply house.

Stick them where you want them and use small zip-ties to hold wire. This way You can leave the wires there or cut the ties and take them out.

[ChuckC]

Any advice on the types of lights to use as well ?  Also, advice on wiring safety if using a generator to power those lights ?

Good thread.
ChuckC

[wislnwings]

I was kind of thinking about mounting the lights to a metal bar that could then be bolted to the rails.  That way it would be removable.  The wiring is an area that I am also wondering about.  I'll be using a generator and unfortunately my grandfather was the master electrician in the family and he passed on a few years back.  Should I plug each light in separately or is there a way to wire them together?

[ChuckC]

I would presume you can make a circuit with all the lights on one, like work lights. Do you need to wire in a GFI circuit or does a normal generator cover that ?  You are sitting on water in a metal boat.  Let's stay safe.
ChuckC

[**DONOTDELETE**]

[email protected] email me and I'll give you my number it will easier to tell you how to do it and what to get.

[ChuckC]

Sal  when I click on your address it takes me to a page for creating the email.  Others do the same.  What I don't know how to do then is actually press  I don't see that option.  How do I do that ?
ChuckC

[Mitch-In-NJ]

What about using Down East rod holders?  They can be purchased with rail, clamp or screw in mounting kits and they also offer extensions to give more height.

The thing that I like about this idea is that the lights can be pointed in any direction and quickly removed.

You will need to fashion some pipe to attach to the lights and drop into the holders, but it seems like it should work with minimal effort.  And the rod golders can also be used... well... as rod holders so you're getting dual use out of them.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Chuck, what is your email program? Is it web base or like outlook express? If I click on my email it brings up my outlook express.

It depends on the generator if it has a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) what would be made up would be plug from generator to Box/board, Here is where You would add a fuse board or bar ( You can get them from any auto parts, it will have to bolts to hook wire to ) depending on how many lights and their amp's.

Once you get that info and make your board/box and you want it set-up for quick connect, you add your connectors ( What kind depends on the type of power from the generator AC or DC ).

For any and all boats it is best to have DC powered lights.. Ever get hit by 120v? it wakes you up, Now add water... can You say DEAD.
You can us AC output gens but the boat must be grounded to the generator. This is good by could burn out your boats DC power.. (just like welding on a car with out disconnecting the cars battery).

The best and fastest way would be to make a marine battery light kit.. the total thing is 100% safer. You can even add lights to the lights you already have up front, plus You'll have extra battery onboard the boat.

[Stone Knife]

Make sure your GFI protected right at the generator. Electricity and water are not a safe combo otherwise.