[ckgreenman]

Hello, I have a '96 Talari 209 and was wondering if there was a way to adjust the docking lights. The lights are horribly aligned and are virtually useless. Both lights point way too low (the reflection off the water is more useful than the light) and the light beams cross each other about 5 feet in front of the boat. Is it possible to adjust the lights so that they are actually useable for docking?


Thanks

[ShabahZ250]

I don't believe they are, unless you were to change the bulbs out to a different light projection pattern like a wide or a narrow beam. And I'm not even sure those exist.

The fixtures themselves aren't adjustable at all, they're just a thru hull fitting that the light fits onto.

Mine are the same way, and I think they're supposed to be that way, according to the mounting directions. They're designed to shine light low so it doesn't blind the other boaters in front of you.

Hope this helps.

[ckgreenman]

Ugh. I can understand them pointing low but they literally hit the water about 7 feet in front. They are absolutely useless.

Like I said in my original post, the reflection off the water is more usable than the direct light. lol

[indykoch]

Yeah, they're designed to aim low. But remember, they're DOCKING lights. Not headlights. They're extremely useful when docking.

I truly hate all the pontoons on our lake that use them as headlights everywhere they go. Because, yes, they're blinding!!

[WetWilly]

Hi ckgreenman,

Open your anchor locker and take a look at the back of your lights, I believe they're held on by a large C-clamp. Loosen it and you should be able to make some adjustments to the angle of your lights. Don't forget to tighten the clamps when you're done.

If that doesn't work, try giving Barnegat a call at 1-866-493-2777 - Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Eastern Time.

Good luck,
WetWilly

[rjobe]

I think this is the way the lights are supposed to work, reflecting off the water I mean. It provides a wider beam and illuminates the area immediately in front of the boat from the water up, at about a 30 degree angle. It makes it especially easy to dock in a slip with an overhead lift because of the beam dispersion from the water, both horizontal and vertical. In open water, they are essentially useless, unless you want to illuminate fog when it's present:-)

[94z190talari]

Here's another use for them pointing that low. When idling through the new cut in the damn here on Lake Lewisville (which is really shallow) the fish jump out of the water all around the front end. Get a net!

I think the vibration from the motor and the lights kinda get em excited.

[WetWilly]

Originally Posted by 94z190talari

I think the vibration from the motor and the lights kinda get em excited.

TMI

[Talari240ZinAZ]

Believe you can replace the spot bulbs (H7604) with flood bulbs (H7614) which will give you a wider (70 vs 7 degrees) and higher (30 versus 5 degrees) coverage, but the candlepower is less (Barnegat Lights).

I swapped out my plastic ones for stainless several years ago (some dipsquat cracked the plastic housing on the port light with the anchor). For the life of me, I can't find the installation instructions that came with the new stainless set but I seem to remember after reading them, I came to the conclusion that Mariah had installed the originals too close to the bow because they were constrained by the space available in the anchor locker. With the contour of the bow, my lights are sort of cross-eyed and pointing down (the beams hit the water about 10' in front of the boat). I figured if they had been installed a foot or two farther back, the beams would have aimed farther out and apart but again, there's no way they would have fit. I'll be honest, the light reflects back up off the water and they seem to get the job done when I need them.

[otisroy]

I just replaced my bulbs with 7604s and they are bright. I agree that they aren't supposed to be used as headlights but they work great for docking and loading. I ran with them on the other night after the fireworks because it made me that much more visible.

I need to loosen the clamp and wiggle the rubber housing on one of mine so the alignment matches. I was going to do it while I was out on the water but the kids fell asleep and then we ran into wind and whitecaps on the way back to the dock.