I’ve mentioned before: I get a LOT of press releases. I don’t publish every single one, by any means. It’s called “editorial judgement”. I only publish the ones I find compelling in some way.
Maybe I learn something new. Maybe something impresses me. Maybe the press release reminds me of something noteworthy.
Or maybe…just maybe…the press release causes me to utter the words corresponding to the military jargon “whiskey tango foxtrot“. It happens from time to time. Case in point:
Boaters will soon be able to enjoy colorful water surrounding their boats with world leader in underwater lighting Aqualuma delivering price reductions of up to 37% across its entire Gen II range. The company’s Gen II lights provide twice the output, ensuring boaters enjoy more for less, without sacrificing quality.
“The new technologies implemented into our production processes have allowed us to further increase quality and currency markets have allowed us to pass these savings onto our customers,” said Carl Amor, Aqualuma president.
The most advanced lighting options on the market, Aqualuma’s Gen II underwater thru-hull, dock and trim tab lights are constructed with a special-formulation polymer, creating stronger housing. Improved rear gland packaging ensures increased protection of a light’s cable and coil tail.
With a choice of the one, three or six Series in blue, white or green, users can customize their boat, creating an illuminating and memorable experience on the water. The company’s thru-hull range now carries an industry-leading three-year warranty.
Aqualuma’s Gen II Series underwater lighting has new retail prices of just $310.96 for the 1 Series to $998.27 for the Tri Series.
Regular readers know that I’m generally open-minded, charitable, and courteous.
But I’m not stupid. So perhaps my readers will understand when I say:
If you’re considering drilling holes through your boat’s hull, beneath the waterline, so that you can make the water glow pretty colors, well…
WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT?!? ARE YOU [FOXTROT]ING CRAZY?!? HAVE YOU NEVER OWNED A BOAT BEFORE?? No boat owner with an ounce of sense drills unnecessary through-hulls, certainly not below the waterline!
Okay, I’m glad I got that out of my system. I promise my next post will be cheerful and upbeat, and I’ll only say nice things about whatever product I’m discussing.
9 responses so far ↓
Steve Roberts // Mar 27, 2009 at 9:15 am
Wow, that is lunatic stuff, over the top. If someone needs brightly colored LEDs to have an “illuminating and memorable experience on the water,” then perhaps they should consider other activities. Sheesh.
Now, blinky LEDs displaying the state of deeply embedded and networked gizmology, well, that’s different! *grin*
Steve
Sheila // Mar 27, 2009 at 10:25 am
I loved this post! One of our projects when we haul out our CAL-34 next month is to install our composting toilet and get rid of another through-hull.
We often have megayachts with white all-around underwater lights anchored near us out here in Simpson Bay, St Maarten. Quite pretty and I bet the tarpon like it.
I wonder if they will get these new colored lights and hook them up to their sound system and have them flash to the beat of the music like the disco days
All the best!
Richard Rodriguez // Mar 27, 2009 at 12:42 pm
WTF indeed
behan // Mar 27, 2009 at 1:13 pm
I am still cracking up over the whiskey tango foxtrot!
we see a lot of these down here (Pacific coast of MX). generally sportfishers, always powerboats.
you couldn’t pay me to put these on our boat, but our kids LOVE watching all the sea life that is attracted to boats that do have them…
Jody // Mar 27, 2009 at 1:16 pm
That was a bit over the top – none the less, glad you posted that. Underwater lights are way over priced to begin with. The cheapest alternative is the Perko versions that require four holes to mount unless you dangle them. Not to mention the 1 inch thick puck is not conducive to a sailboat at least.
There is a purpose to under water lights actually, beyond aesthetics.
> Greater visibility when mooring in a crowded anchorage. It is also less obtrusive than say running your spreader lights.
> At night, when in shallow areas gives you a visual.
> Having to dive the boat beyond normal daylight, it is basically a hands free work light.
The thru-hull versions work just like ducers and I have yet to hear of a mirage of boats failing because they took on water from a transducer installation. In fact – if you were to go underwater lights – this style would be what you want.
If underwater lights were not at minimum (avg price) $650 + a piece, I’d have them on mine because there are practical applications beyond the fact it makes the boat stand out (aesthetics).
Ben // Mar 28, 2009 at 8:32 am
I’m with Jody. I wish LED underwater lights were cheaper because I think a pair in my transom would be neat for checking out sea life and getting the dinghy clipped to the swim platform. And maybe mostly because they look very cool. Really, it’s OK to have electronics for the shear fun of it. Especially if they’re harmless.
I don’t think there is any appreciable danger to installing underwater lights because they are not true thru-hulls. A thru-hull really is a hole through the hull with a valve and hose on it; bad things can happen. Even removable transducers are holes in the boat with a slight danger potential. Underwater lights are permanently bedded and fixed in the hull. There are quite a few of them in the water now, and I’ve never heard of one causing a sinking, even almost.
Larry H // Mar 28, 2009 at 9:30 am
A good reason to not install these lights is that it disturbs the natural day/night light cycle of the underwater creatures. Nocturnal sea creatures depend on the darkness to ‘do their thing’ and underwater lights mess up their senses. We should remember that we are traveling in their world and we should have as small an impact as possible.
Scott S. // Mar 30, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Oh, come now Tim! This would be a great stimulus to the ecomony, what with all those boat owners drilling unnecessary holes into their hulls… Boat repair and re-furb business would be booming! WTF (What-The-Foxtrot) indeed!!
shawn // Oct 18, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Give it up your old cranks. People have been drilling holes in their boats for centuries and with the modern invention of 3M products there is little concern when done right and checked every few seasons just like we check through-hull fittings for heads, water intakes, etc.
Stop hating on something you don’t want or need like and old man with bad advice.
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