The 10 Best Interior Lights For Boats

Editor's Notes

August 29, 2019:

Just as important as boat navigation lights are those that illuminate your vessel's interior spaces and make sure your entire crew is safe and comfortable. They come in a wide variety of designs and uses, including bright LED strips like the Seapon Green 12v featured here. It's installed easily using sticky tape, clips, and screws, all of which are included with your purchase. Its flexible build ensures it can be placed smoothly around curved surfaces. It can also be cut at the indicated points in approximately two-inch intervals, so it'll fit into any space neatly.

Courtesy lighting on your watercraft is an absolute must, and the Shoreline Marine Companion won’t disappoint when it comes to illuminating hallways and stairs. It’s a basic-yet-powerful choice, with three cool-white LEDs in a square-shaped housing. It’s budget-friendly and easy to mount. The SeaSense 5001559 is similar in design, but this one is round and features 18 LEDs inside an attractive, white bezel. It can be turned on and off conveniently with the rocker-switch prominently placed on the bezel.

As any avid reader can attest to, sometimes you just want to curl up for hours with a good book. And since the bedroom of a boat can be dark, a bedside lamp is a must. It boasts a generous beam angle and can be purchased in a number of attractive finishes, including brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, and chrome.

As eco-friendly and money-saving as LED models are, we felt the need to include other bulb options for those who prefer alternatives. The flush-mount Attwood 6356D7 is an incandescent choice, for those who seek out the reliability and flicker-free design of this type of bulb. It’s from a respected manufacturer of boating products and comes with a sturdy set of hardware. And there still are a few fluorescent options for hold-outs who prefer this type of ultra-bright illumination. (And like LEDs, they’re also more energy efficient than incandescent models.) Featured here is the Thin-Lite 109C Fluorescent Circline, which promises years of maintenance-free service, and it resembles what you might remember fluorescent fixtures looking like during your childhood, including a wood-grain trim.

For the sake of your and your crew’s safety, don’t take shortcuts when it comes to the wiring on your boat. Problems with wiring account for 32 percent of onboard fires, reports say. When it comes to the wiring of your lights, sound system, and more, be sure to hire a qualified marine electrician for the job.