Trailering and Corrosion !

[seastrike16cc]

Happy Spring folks !!

Seems like each spring I'm replacing the lights on my trailer due to excessive rust / corrosion that sets in throughout the fishing/boating season.

After each use I'm washing down the boat, spraying off the lights, but come each spring, the lights are shot and replacements are necessary.

Is this just the price to pay for trailering in the saltwater or is it the quality of the lights I'm using ??

I'm yet to find a truely "submersible" lighting system which would probably solve the problem -
Do you have the same issue ?
How do you guys that trailer deal with this ??


Thanks much !!

[Blackjack]

I have the same issue - this will be the second year in a row I have to replace at least one of the lights. The best "fix" I've heard of is to buy lights, screw them onto a 2x4, and mount that on the back of the boat for trailering. This way they never get wet, and are easy to mount for frequent towing.

I saw a set on WestMarine that mount on the rear cleats, which could be cool.

Let me know if you get any bright ideas from anyone else...

[tmillerzzz]

West marine has a true "water proof" not just "submersible" light. Lights are in a sealed capsule. HOWEVER, if you blow a bulb... you have to replace the entire $20.00 unit.... I have yet had to do this after 2 years.

The only corrosion you have to deal with is the splice in the wire to connect the lights to your wiring system. I slip a piece of shrink tube over the wire, butt splice and solder the joint, THEN paint it with liquid electrical tape THEN heat the shrink tube.

OR, you get some upright post with rollers for the back of your trailer and put your lights up there... keeps them out of the water AND puts them up where other people can really see them.... nice in close traffic and makes loading the boat on the trailer in a heavy cross current easier.

[AlderBrookFarm]

We made uprights for our lights, and as TMillerzz says they have the added advantage of being easier to see. Not only that, when your trailer is empty it lets you still see it when backing up. The only problem we have had is the post eventually weakened from the stress of the angle and the road vibration so we had to do a little design modification.