We're getting new lights and a new trolling motor and was contemplating adding a raised platform. Does it really make that big of a difference? We have plenty of room now, just wasn't sure if the benefits would outweigh the time and money to do it. What do you guys think?
Raised Platform
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
Joined
·
1,364 Posts
Do you shoot mostly day or night?
Joined
·
98 Posts
Something that you could do would be to just make it high enough to slip your lights underneath. Thats the most common thing people do for an excuse to get a little raised on their decks.
Joined
·
46 Posts
Well when I build mine, I'm gonna raise mine enough to put up to 4 or more batteries under it in a compartment so that away they will be out of the way and with it being elevated it will be easy to mount all the lights and hide the wiring
Joined
·
98 Posts
Sounds pretty good. What lights are ya running?
That's what we are considering doing, our main concern is the additional weight. We're already going from 10- 300W quartz halogen fixtures to 10- 250W HPS fixtures. Adding a raised platform would add even more weight up front. We have a deck in the boat now that we hide batteries under and the lights are mounted on 2" square tubing in which we hide all the wiring and electrical connections. We'll probably stick with what have, because believe me, I need to be as close to the fish as possible.
Joined
·
46 Posts
when i go to buy some there gonna be yours lol, just trying to convince a buddy to split the cost of 12 of them =)
Joined
·
98 Posts
Thanks man! Appriciate it. Let me know! :thumbsu:
Joined
·
1,364 Posts
Don't know what kind of boat your running but all those batteries will add a lot of unnecessary weight up front. I keep all mine to the back but I have a 1648 so weight distribution is a bit of a concern.
Joined
·
1,364 Posts
gonna light up the world with that settup. Do you have a reason for the 250watt instead of going with the digital ballast 400watt?? Or is it just what you had accessible?
I work at an electrical supply house and one of my vendors fixed me up with a good deal on them. From everything I'd read, it seemed like the HPS was the best way to go.
Joined
·
1,364 Posts
250watt HPS lumens---27,500 lumens
300watt Halo lumens---4,800 lumens
275,000 total lumens compared to 48,000 total lumens. I think you'll be very happy. Plus the color of HPS is much more orange which supposedly cuts the dirty water a little better.
Joined
·
241 Posts
Have any of you guys tried out the Rigid E-series or M-series Light Bars? Those suckers are expensive, but they look really well built.
Joined
·
134 Posts
i like a raised to keep all the lights under your feet. Line doesnt get caught around the lights and bugs dont seem to get in the way as bad b/c all the bugs r belows my feet
Joined
·
98 Posts
We can get the LED lightbars in all different forms, shapes, sizes, etc. I can do a special order if you know what your looking for. If you get ones bright enough they work great for bowfishing too. They are a popular product with our duck hunting customers.
Joined
·
98 Posts
I think it's smart to built a platform so you can hide your lights under like upsouth said, because I just had the lights mounted straight on my platform and god at the bugs some nights lol
Joined
·
134 Posts
If I were going led I would just do it right and go with 50 watt Seelite...tried a true. Yet I would never waste my time with them if you shoot tourneys. 225 watt ultras still better than leds
Joined
·
283 Posts
I am looking for ANY and all info on the smartest way to build up my 25' pontoon for bowfishing. 250watt HPS 2 maybe 3 with a tiny 800 watt generator.
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
