Where How to mount new Guest 501a Spotlight-gctid366605

[Guest]

I just recently bought a new Guest 501a spotlight but don't have a great place to put it on my 2655. I know the bow is probably the best spot I think but behind my windlass there is some room so I was thinking there and raising it up some? Thoughts? I don't see anywhere online that has a mount that will raise it 5" or so. I don't want to mount it on the bow rails, that's tacky! Please help, thanks!

[Guest]

I had a stand made for mine.

[JimMc]

Bayliner has been installing a 5 to 6" stand lately on some models. Look in the on line parts guides at Bayliner.com

[2850Bounty]

Just make certain that the spot light is absolutely incapable of illuminating any portion of the hull or railings.

[Guest]

2850Bounty wrote:
Just make certain that the spot light is absolutely incapable of illuminating any portion of the hull or railings.

No kidding. If the light hits the hull, so much glare comes off the hull you can't see. mount it forward as far as you can. my set up works GREAT!

[Guest]

Patrick53 wrote:
I had a stand made for mine.

That's a great setup, although on my 2655, it doesn't come out that far on the bow. You have a good almost 2 feet of real estate there that sticks out past your rails. I don't have that luxury haha:worth

Although, Where did you get that stand?

[Guest]

I took a cardboard templet to a local Stainless Steel fab shop.They made me one. Paid $ 93.00

[Guest]

Just make certain that the spot light is absolutely incapable of illuminating any portion of the hull or railings.

This!!! My previous boat had it mounted on the foredeck near the edge where it LOOKED like it wouldn't reflect, but it did. Totally useless. Had to build a platform for it which I attached at the point of the bow rail using a grill mount.

You can see some photos in my 2455 mods gallery:

http://gallery.me.com/caalvarez#101667

The first few photos are the "before" mounting done by the dealer and then later the improved one I made.

[Guest]

SwampNut wrote:
This!!! My previous boat had it mounted on the foredeck near the edge where it LOOKED like it wouldn't reflect, but it did. Totally useless. Had to build a platform for it which I attached at the point of the bow rail using a grill mount.

You can see some photos in my 2455 mods gallery:

http://gallery.me.com/caalvarez#101667

The first few photos are the "before" mounting done by the dealer and then later the improved one I made.

I loved your project(s)! However.. the functionality is probably amazing for your light, it sitting up there (to me) is just so tacky! haha I don't think I could ever mount it like that. I was considering maybe mounting it high, but not that far up or on the rail.

[Guest]

I loved your project(s)! However.. the functionality is probably amazing for your light, it sitting up there (to me) is just so tacky! haha I don't think I could ever mount it like that. I was considering maybe mounting it high, but not that far up or on the rail.

When I was trying to find an unlighted harbor buoy on a moonless night in a storm, I really gave very little thought to how my boat looked and I was pretty happy to have a light that was actually functional. YMMV.

[Guest]

SwampNut wrote:
When I was trying to find an unlighted harbor buoy on a moonless night in a storm, I really gave very little thought to how my boat looked and I was pretty happy to have a light that was actually functional. YMMV.

I always say.. 'to each his own'! Since I don't go out at night much, I'd honestly only use the light when coming back to the dock late (after sunset). That wouldn't be very often. Maybe I can mount up near the middle, near the windshield wiper? I'm sure that will produce a lot of glare though

[Guest]

I mounted my wireless Go-Light on a mount I made out of starboard and a BBQ rail mount and mounted on the forward rail. I didn't permanently wire it since I would remove it for winter storage. I just ran the power cord back to the 12v outlet on the dash. You can see it on my Trophy 1802 below. When I moved up to the Trophy 2052 I just moved it over to the new boat. In order to not mar the rail I put a piece of bicycle tube on the rail and then clamped it.

[Guest]

That's the same "tacky" location and mount that I used.

Seriously, if you're worried about how the damn spotlight looks, there's no real answer for you. Put it where you want it, and deal with the glare. Some of think the lights look tacky mounted where they are obviously useless. Makes one wonder about the intelligence of the person who put it there.

[CaptTom]

I did the same thing as Richie on my 285. No need to post a picture, it looks almost identical. Since it plugs into the lighter socket and uses a quick-attach BBQ grill mount, I only put it on when I'm planning to be out after dark, and stow it when I'm done.

Honesty, nothing functional on a boat ever looks "tacky". Tacky is when you go for form over function. Trust me, anyone who's ever been disoriented at night, or blinded by the glare from a poorly-mounted spotlight or navigation light, will see this as an elegant solution.

[Guest]

I struggled with the same issue over the 'appearance'. I didn't like the way it looked mounted on front of railing either. Anywhere else on the foredeck the glare made it useless. I gave up on the idea of a mounted forward spotlight altogether. I still have the GoLight and mount it to a quick release on the arch (pointing aft, illuminates the cockpit and great when backing in to the slip in the dark). I keep a handheld spotlight handy on the dash when boating/anghored at night. I find it is better than any mounted light - we can spot buoys and debris in any direction and can control the beam to avoid any glares off the foredeck.