Quick Guide to Boat or Yacht Lighting with LED Strip Lights
Upgrade your boat's lighting with LED strips for style and function. Discover the right lights, expert tips, and creative uses for decks, cabins, and storage while ensuring safety and durability.
Are you looking to enhance your boat's lighting functionality or give it some extra "bling"? You're not alone. Lighting with LED strips for boats and other vessels is one of the most requested applications by hobbyists.
LED strip lights are water-resistant, low-voltage, durable fixtures ideal for interior and exterior boat lighting. But what are the best lights for your boat, and how should you install them? To help you answer these doubts, we have compiled essential tips, installation ideas, and common questions for your next boat or yacht lighting project.
Upgrade Your Boat Lighting with LED Strip Lights
When starting your marine lighting project, it doesn't matter if you own a skipper, a yacht, or a fishing boat. LED light strips will be the ideal solution.
They are customizable and have low energy consumption. They adapt to various sizes of boats and easily adapt to your needs, whether decorative or functional while taking care of the boat's battery.
But before you get excited and buy the first lights you see, let's analyze more common issues with this sort of installation.
Consider Environmental Factors
When looking into LED strip lights for your boat, the first thing to consider is whether the lights will be exposed to environmental elements such as water, sand, salt, etc.
If you're installing lights on outdoor areas such as decks or hulls, ensure the lights are rated for outdoor use, water protection, and any other environmental factors with an IP rating of 65 or more.
Choosing the Right LED Strip Lights
The next step is selecting the ideal LED light strips. For this, you must consider some key characteristics.
First, the light brightness. Lower brightness is usually for ambient lighting. In contrast, higher brightness is used for areas like your boat’s kitchen where task lighting is needed.
Then, the appropriate color temperature. Warm white lights (2700-3000K) are ideal for a cozy and relaxing atmosphere, while cool white lights (5000-6500K) are functional lighting ideal for workspaces. You can also choose color-changing RGB LED strips, which offer dynamic and customizable lighting options for those looking to add fun and style to their ships.
Finally, although most strip lights operate on 12V or 24V DC power, the same as most boat batteries, make sure your lights are compatible with your ship's power system. If you are planning a complex installation, consider using a voltage regulator to maintain a constant power supply.
Creative Installation Ideas
There are countless ways to use LED strips on your boat to combine style and functionality. Here is a list of some ideas, depending on the size and the use you give to your boat or yacht:
-
Deck Lighting:
Placing strips under the rail is the perfect way to add both accent and functional above-deck lighting.
-
Storage Lighting:
Install strips inside the storage bay to easily find what you need.
-
Cabin Lighting:
Strips underneath cabin furnishings, within cove channels, or under counters work great for task and accent lighting.
-
Galley Lighting:
Brilliant LED strip lights will dramatically improve your onboard cooking experience.
-
Stair Lighting:
Installing strips along stairs and ladders not only looks great but will also help you avoid unnecessary accidents
-
Signage Lighting:
Backlighting your boat's name is an excellent way to highlight its signature style.
-
Dock Lighting:
If lighting your boat isn't enough, as an added bonus, you can light up your dock too by using a color-changing or single-color LED strip.
The Best Flexfire LEDs Strip Lights for Boats
Now that you know what to look for when purchasing lights for your boat, let's talk about the best LED strips for your marine project.
Our IP65 Outdoor Vivid™ Color LED Strip Lights are ideal for decorative boat deck lighting. They come in red, green, blue, and amber, perfect for creating a lively atmosphere.
Mounting the strips below the deck railing creates an indirect, glare-free glow that improves visibility without causing harsh reflections.
Storage compartments can also benefit from discreet LED strips like our Slim™ Series', which provide lighting when searching for supplies at night. The compact design of these LED strips ensures that they do not take up valuable storage space.
Interior areas such as the salon, wheelhouse, galley, cabin, and cockpit can be illuminated with nonwater-resistant LED strips. However, as your project is in a boat, IP65-rated versions offer additional recommended protection.
For these interior spaces, consider our Architectural or Industrial Series UltraBright™ Static White LED Strips for brighter, more efficient lighting. Remember to install a dimmer to adjust the brightness and extend the life of your strips.
How to Install LED Light Strips on Your Boat
Installation Tips for Beginners
Proper planning is essential when installing LED strips on a boat. Start by measuring the intended installation areas and planning the light layout. Consider the other equipment you need, and if necessary, ask one of our experts for advice.
LED strips come with an adhesive backing, but we recommend using mounting brackets or waterproof silicone for added support; this will depend on the installation location. Use solderless connectors for custom installations, create longer runs, or accommodate specific configurations.
Finally, it is essential to wire the strips correctly. Connect them directly to your boat's power system. Most of our LED strips run on the same 24V or 12V DC current as your boat's battery or an external power source. If planning a large-scale installation, you may consider using a voltage regulator to avoid overloading the electrical system.
We recommend working with an electrician or specialist to install everything for you. Remember that being a boat there is always the possibility of some water coming into contact with the system and poor installation can be dangerous. Your safety is important to us.
For step-by-step instructions, go to our detailed Flexfire LEDs installation guide.
Common Installation Mistakes to Avoid
So that your installation goes smoothly, these are some common mistakes that are easy to prevent
The most common mistake is using non-water-resistant LED strips outdoors or in humid areas, which can damage the lights, reduce their life, and pose security risks. Be sure to check the IP rating before purchasing.
Also, and very importantly, ensure the strips are compatible with your boat's battery voltage and are securely mounted to prevent any shifting during use.
Maintenance and Care
Installing the lights is not the last step of this process. In an environment with humidity, salt, sand, and other factors, taking care of your lights is very important so that they work well and last a long time
Clean the strips regularly to remove dirt, salt, and sand buildup. Periodically check the wiring and connectors to ensure everything remains securely connected and free from corrosion. Finally, inspect the strips for signs of wear or water damage, especially after heavy use, and replace damaged sections when needed.
Ready to Start Your Lighting Project on Your Yacht or Boat?
Now that you have all the essential information you need to start your marine lighting project, turn to our lighting experts for advice throughout the project. Visit flexfireleds.com to find an extensive catalog of light strips and everything you need to properly install the system on your boat.
Likewise, our experts can advise you on everything you need to develop your project. Contact or call us so we can guide you through installing your boat or yacht LED strip lights.
