Im in Galveston and Fort Worth. I have three Hobies and one Ocean Kayak. Don't know much about the Jackson but the Ocean Kayak was a nice starter for me. The torque would make long trips a breeze. Try them out for several hours and see which one you like the most.
They come with the switches but i bought heavier ones from Fry's Electronics. They also sell the weather proof rubber boots. I used a 1/2" drill bit to match the switches. The switches come with two washer style nuts to tighten them down.
Hey Mark. Liked your video on your lighting. Funny thing about the intro song of your video. The guy singing it is an old friend of mine that's been playing with DLG for a long time. Small world. LOL.
Very soon I will be purchasing my own Hobie Mirage Pro Angler, and these Wildcat Lights are a great idea for fishing. Im Wondering where u bought your switches for the LED lights and how u secured them on the boat.
I'm not sure I'd put the green light on the port side, but otherwise this is awesome! I'm definitely going to do the same (though with a non-navigation colored fishing light).
@Generic User, The adhesive is more than enough to keep the lights affixed to the kayak. Adding anything else would be overkill. To answer your question though, no there isn't a space to drill a hole for rivets or screws. You could use Marine Goop to reinforce the lights. But its really not needed. I purchased the lights as a kit a few years back from Wildcat Lighting and they no longer sell the same kit. I'm sure if you call them, they may try and work something out for you. Their a great company and they stand behind their product.
I just used the adhesive from the light strip to secure it to the kayak. I did use marine goop to water proof the holes that were drilled for the wire to enter through the kayak.
Nice video, loved the music. That's a fine kayak, a great light job & a nice looking house, too! I'm also curious about the lights staying on. I never can get myself to trust peel & stick hardware. Do those lights have a place for rivets or screws? Also, any way you can list the part numbers? Thanks for taking the time to show us your rig & mods.
I bought them in a package deal from Austin Kayak.com. They came with everything you see in my video for $250 USD. The company ACK ships internationally but it appears that they don't have the same package deal anymore. On another note, i'll be heading towards your way to fish the Hobie Fishing Worlds 2013 in Marlo this October. Can't wait!
Those lights are very cool, thanks for posting the video. One issue I see is that you installed the lights right in the same line where an anchor trolley would go. I guess you're not planning on using the Hobie anchor trolley system. Also, why did you choose not to instill the inboard lights to the bottom side of the mounting boards?
James, thanks for watching! I'll never use an anchor trolly, i have used them in the past with two of my other kayaks but they're to much of a hassle for my type of fishing. I didn't instal the inboard lights on the mounting boards due to future mounting options of other gear. Or if you replace the mounting board you'll have to remove the light strip and remount with another source of adhesive.
The lights have been to the salt several times and work like a champ. There's no sign of separation from the lights and the casing. I'm very satisfied with these heavy duty bad boys. I can't wait to try them out up here in NY.
Thanks, are you in San Antonio? you should try braunig lake or calaveras, good red fishing. Since you have kayaks, im planning on buying either jackson big tuna or ocean kayak torque do you have any advice?
Hi I love the lighting in your pa and your install.Im just wonder if theses leds can be brought in australia or shipped here.Do they come in a package dead how much was the total cost?.great vid happy fishing shane from Australia.
How are they hooked you to the battery? Just wired to the switches and then to the battery with fuses of course, or do they wire to the switches then a converter or something? Thanks
Tyler, I have had my lights for over 2 years and they're still running strong. I haven't had any issues with my wiring. That being said, I have them wired straight from the switches to my battery. No fuse or any type of converter being used. I have every wire zip tied inside the hull so that my wires aren't lying on the deck with the occasional water that manages to seep inside. I've turtled the kayak once and a fair amount of water entered the hull. The Lowrance powered down/turned off. But as soon as I flipped the kayak back over. I used a towel I carry in the hull to bail the water out. I turned the Lowrance back on and it powered right up with no issues. The total time the head unit was submerged in the water had to be about 30-45 seconds. The wildcat lights weren't on at the time but I still checked them and they also powered back up. If you took the precaution to wire them with a fuse good on you but there is no need to wire a converter to your system. Tight Lines and thanks for watching!
Alright sweet! Thanks for the quick reply! And that definitely answers any questions I had.. I'll probably run a fuse on my fishfinder. I dont think the leds draw enough power to need fuses either way. But thanks again! And tight lines to you aswell my friend!
Question Sir? Do the lights below your running lights, when turned on, cause the running lights to "wash out"? In other words can a boater in another craft still tell which side of your yak is port and which is starboard? Like the idea using the exterior lights to attract bait/fish!
They should be able to tell unless their craft is 10 plus feet above the water. I have black electrical tape covering the inboard half of both nav lights for two reasons. So they don't blind me and for other crafts to tell whether I'm coming or going. Hope that makes sense.
I bought them in a package deal from Austin Kayak.com. They came with everything you see in my video for $250 USD. But ACK doesn't have the same package deal anymore. You can try to call Don from Wildcat Lighting and ask if he still has the same package in my video. He's a great guy and they stand behind their product.
Ron, you are correct. They were blinding so I tried several different ways to block the light from my seating position. Turns out the simple things always work the best. I ended up using 3M electrical tape. By covering half of the led i was able to shield my eyes and still have full brightness and functionality of the lights.
Howdy Mark, Sure good show. Only you move so fast it is hard for me to keeps up with you. How do you move so fast. You must be really tared at end of ums day. I knows I sure woods be. Butt thanks you very much.
Your not supposed to see BOTH red and green lights from the sides.....only from the front. Should not see red and green lights from the rear....only one white all around 360 degree light.