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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 250 Specific Forum
 New Overhead Lights		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts
Initially Posted - 06/03/2012 :  18:57:49  Show Profile
Like many C250 owners we replaced the cabin table with a smaller one. This allows much better access to the bow area as well as all around better circulation. However, with that access comes the increased likelihood of whacking your head on those swiveling lights mounted on the ceiling. After several such whacks we decided to replace the lights with ones that have a smaller profile.

We chose the West Marine LED Surface Mount 4" Light (WM#12645149). It is a nice bright light that has a built in on-off switch. Installation is a bit tricky because the mounting screw are closer together than the hole left by the original swiveling light fixture.

The solution is to create a bar that spans the original hole and allows for the new fixture to be screwed to the bar. We used 1/8" thick 1" wide aluminum which we bought at a local home improvement center. Here is a picture:




There are four holes in the 4" long bar. The outer holes are tapped for a #6 machine screws (3/4" long) and these #6 screws attach the bar to the ceiling. The inner holes are tapped for #4 machine screws (1 1/2" long) which attach the light unit to the bar. Here is the bar installed:



Here is the unit installed:



Here is a picture that shows both units and how little they project down into the cabin:



Because the aluminum brackets are threaded the units are easy to take down if needed. That is important to us because we make the VHF coax connection up in the space by the starboard light.

Of course the best thing is that these new lights are stainless steel!




We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails.
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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2270 Posts
Response Posted - 06/03/2012 :  19:07:17  Show Profile
Great job! That one will go near the top of my list of future upgrades.

How is the color fidelity from these lights? Up to now I've tried to keep a couple of incandescents in different parts of the boat in case I ever need to read a chart or do some other color-critical activity. Besides these two spots, the only incandescent I have left is in the aft berth, where I've replaced the red lamp with white LED but left the original white bulbs. Every other fixture has been upgraded to LED only lights.
Edited by - TakeFive on 06/03/2012 20:02:24
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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4275 Posts
Response Posted - 06/03/2012 :  19:45:35  Show Profile
Very, very nice job Randy!
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superbob
Navigator

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USA
200 Posts
Response Posted - 06/04/2012 :  07:43:24  Show Profile  Visit superbob's Homepage
Thanks, Randy. Looks like a fairly easy install thanks to what you've posted. What a nice upgrade!
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ruachwrights
Captain

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USA
258 Posts
Response Posted - 06/04/2012 :  10:59:35  Show Profile  Visit ruachwrights's Homepage
Stainless is classy. Better watch out or people will go below and think their in a Seaward. Still have first gen. table so no head banging for me.

Vern Wright
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 06/04/2012 :  19:30:17  Show Profile
Very nice job!
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Sailor Vic
1st Mate

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56 Posts
Response Posted - 06/12/2012 :  18:58:34  Show Profile  Visit Sailor Vic's Homepage
Randy,

Thanks to your wonderful post with instructions and great pictures I purchased the same light with switch.

For now I only changed the starboard light because I only made my starboard side of the table significantly narrower.

I did all that you showed exactly the same way howevert I didn't use #4 machine screws and instead only used all 6-32 threads (with same lengths as you suggested) which I did because that way I wouldn't have to buy an additional #4 tap and appropriate drill bit.

The new light works great, looks very nice and clean and now no more hitting and cutting my poor bald head on the old swivel light.

:-)

After "living with" the new LED flat ceiling light for a while I'll most likely go ahead and change out the port light as well.

I'm thrilled and want to thank you a lot!

Thank you!
Edited by - Sailor Vic on 06/12/2012 19:03:46
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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts
Response Posted - 06/12/2012 :  21:11:38  Show Profile

We'll follow suit... nice job and thanks for the instructions Randy!!
BTW is that LED a warm light or cool
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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts
Response Posted - 06/12/2012 :  21:53:45  Show Profile
Vic, I didn't think the #6 screws would fit in the fixture. Sounds like you found some with small heads. Good work!

Henk, I think they are cool, sort of clear light.

One thing to add. If you want the on/off switch in a particular location you'll need to position the aluminum bar accordingly.
Edited by - Nautiduck on 06/12/2012 21:55:13
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Sailor Vic
1st Mate

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56 Posts
Response Posted - 06/13/2012 :  06:35:04  Show Profile  Visit Sailor Vic's Homepage
Randy,

You're absolutely correct. The hole in the new fixture didn't allow for the # 6 screw to go through.

I actually enlarged the hole that was in the new fixture by using a drill bit as there was plenty of space around it as well as that area is hidden by the removable cover.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.