Need gear suggestion - Bimini Top Lighting

[night0wl]

Hey all,

We love our cockpit...nothing better than spending lazy evenings at anchorage all hanging out playing dominoes or cards. Only one thing is lacking...some low level lighting.

Our B343 has a nice light that shines on the floor of the cockpit near the companionway, but we're really lacking some lighting in the rest of the cockpit. Attempts to use velcro strapped battery lights have proven to be lacking. So I'm looking for ideas on the boards...what have people done to make their cockpit better lit.

LED solutions are best...avoid batteries.

Right now, I'm thinking of this: http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|65136|992429&id=1393372

but seems like a cludgy implementation. Ideal would be an integrated unit that has lighting and speakers all in one bar..I've seen some charter yachts with this setup.

[Tempest]

Mini LED Lantern with Remote: Lanterns at L.L.Bean

I have one of these.....and it's big brother..

[DwayneSpeer]

There is nothing better than a brass ship's lantern.

[night0wl]

Originally Posted by Tempest

Mini LED Lantern with Remote: Lanterns at L.L.Bean

I have one of these.....and it's big brother..

Would prefer something that doesn't use batteries...something that can be wired into the 12v house bank.

I currently use a Coleman lantern...but the led is very harsh light. Not fun to be out in the cockpit with that burning the retinas. Looking for something that will put out soft, warm light in a fixture...maybe soft white leds?

[tdw]

We hang an oil burning lantern from the bimini. We fill it with citronella oil so in summer it also keeps down the bugs.