Keeping a vigilant lookout on your boat fishing trip comes as a second nature to most anglers. When you’re actively hunting for fish, it’s tempting to just focus on fishing. Your chance of snagging a big catch are much higher when you keep your focus, but what about when you’re bobbing in the middle of a boat trip? Or parked after getting back from a long day of fishing?
There are plenty of nighttime distractions that can take your attention away from the task at hand: snacks, drinks, and getting comfortable in your fishing chair. Your chances of being distracted are greater when you’re by yourself. While a partner will help keep watch, you can give them a break and still keep a close eye on your boat. Bright spotlights are the solution you need.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| DEWALT 20V MAX LED Work Light | Best Overall |  |
| Cyclops 1400 Lumen Marine Style Spotlight | Budget Pick |  |
| GOODSMANN Rechargeable Spotlight Waterproof LED Flashlight 3000 Lumen Submersible Searchlight | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. DEWALT 20V MAX LED Work Light
Pros:
- The bright LED lights
- Low-profile pivoting design
- Strong magnet
- 5 year warranty
This is a really good work light that is bright enough to illuminate your working area and strong enough to withstand heavy use.
This light is also a pivoting light head, which means that you can move the head of the work light in any direction. The head of the work light is low-profile, which is good for maneuvering around obstacles such as reaching into dark corners.
The pivoting head is also really good because it can be pointed in any direction. This allows for a lot of flexibility in terms of where it can be positioned. The magnetic base isn’t too strong, which means that if you’re using the work light to illuminate a specific surface area, the light may not stay put.
2. GOODSMANN Rechargeable Spotlight Waterproof LED Flashlight 3000 Lumen Submersible Searchlight
(1500Lm)
3. Streamlight 44900 Waypoint Spotlight
Pros:
- Very bright light
- The beam is adjustable
- Lightweight and compact design
Cons:
- Not the most durable
- You can’t use it in deep water
The 550 lumen Streamlight Waypoint comes with an adjustable beam, aluminum body, and a polarity protected LED light. It’s a little bright for our taste, but in a pinch, you could use it to rescue your friends out of the water.
The flashlight is handheld and is 6.1 inches long, designed for freshwater use only. The light is made of aluminum which is great if you want to bring it along on fishing or camping trips.
This waypoint spotlight comes with an adjustable beam, so you can adjust it to 140 degrees to 40 degrees. The beam is strong enough to light up the water from a distance.
4. Brinkmann Qbeam Max Million III 3 Million Maxpower Spotlight
Pros:
- High power
- Great for off-roading
- Lightweight and highly portable
- Floods can be set to narrow or wide beams
- Works great if you are using it on the water
- Affordable
Cons:
- On and off switch is a little tricky to pull
- Spot is fragile
The Brinkmann Qbeam Maxmilli– III spotlight is the top product in the XL-series Brinkmann Qbeam Maxmilli– III. The XL-series is designed for larger vehicles and heavier equipment. The spotlight features a high powered 1,200-watt halogen bulb and 12.5 Amp draw motor. The beam coverage is a brightly lit circle or narrow white beam. This is not a spotlight for people who are seeking a spotlight with a long throw.
The casing of the Brinkmann spotlight has a rugged and durable design with a heavy-duty steel construction. This heavy duty construction ensures that this spotlight can withstand rugged off-road conditions and will withstand rain and wind. The case itself measures 16.33 in. x 11.5 in. x 4.25 in. and weighs 4.6 pounds.
The Brinkmann spotlight is powered by an 12-volt power source.
5. Cyclops 1400 Lumen Marine Style Spotlight
Pros:
- Simple to install
- 2000 mAh battery
- 2 Hours run time at high, 15 hours run time at low Brightness
- Small size
- Shatterproof lens
- Super bright and powerful
This is a great marine style spotlight for outdoor use that is a bit on the more expensive side. This model comes equipped with a rechargeable 14000 mAh 3.7V lithium battery and a power converter, along with cigarette lighter plug for direct power supply.
The spotlight has a very visible width of 410 meters with an approximate transmission distance of 610 meters. The unit includes a powerful white LED that can run for up to 15 hours on low brightness of 140 lumens. It also features a red LED for nighttime usage.
Some reviewers note that the battery life is longer than what is advertised by the manufacturer, so you may be able to get even more than 15 hours’ worth of run time with this model.
6. STANLEY FATMAX SL10LEDS Rechargeable 2200 Lumen Lithium Ion Ultra Bright LED Spotlight Flashlight
Pros:
- Amazingly bright output
- Powered by both AAA batteries and USB
- Powerful but yet compact
- Very bright and convenient, especially if you’re into boating
- Powerful but not super noisy
- It’s not heavy or large
- Can get really bright if you need it to
Cons:
- It’s not always useful as a hands-free item
- Supposed to be a spotlight but it can’t be focused very well
- Doesn’t last long at maximum brightness
It’s small, but that’s what makes the Stanley LEDS SL10 such a versatile spotlight. It is lightweight and compact, so you can easily take it with you anywhere you go.
You can use the Stanley SL10 LED Light pretty much everywhere. It’s a great addition to your home, but it would also be an excellent addition to your boat, RV, or even in the car.
The SL10 LED Light features a large lens that directs the light in a spotlight-style. The LED bulb is a whopping 2200 lumens that helps illuminate a huge area to help you work in the dark.
7. Super Bright Flashlight Rechargeable Marine Spotlight
Best Boat Spotlight: The Fulcrum flashlight is not only a spotlight, but also works as a floodlight, making it ideal for many different boat uses. It has a 5000 mAH rechargeable battery.
Fulcrum flashlight rechargeable marine spotlight features 6 modes. (High Brightness, Low Brightness, SOS, Strobe, and Zoom In-Zoom Out.) It’s equipped with a 6000 lumens of CREE T6 LED. The housing is made of quality aluminum with anodized finish.
The unit comes with a functional on/off switch that’s easy to access and easy to use. There’s a single button to use for selecting the brightness levels. There’s also a metal ring around the handle, which provides a comfortable grip.
8. SUPAREE LED Remote Spotlight Search Light 12v 24v 360º Cree LED Rotating Remote Control Work Light Spot
Pros:
- Super bright lighting output
- Versatile, can be used for any purpose
- 360 degree swivel head design
- Easy to install
- Durable with a long lifespan
- Can be controlled with the remote
Cons:
- Spotbeam is not very steady
- The remote can be glitchy
The SUPAREE Spotlight searches light has a number of features that set it apart from the rest, which is why it’s featured on our top picks for boat spotlights.
The spotlight includes a 360-degree rotating head, LED technology, and a sensitive motion detecting system. It’s easy to install and comes with a remote control.
This spotlight has a really cool motion detecting system. It’s so sensitive that even your smallest movements will trigger it. The spotlight features a touch switch so you can control its motions by tapping on it.
9. NoCry 18W Waterproof Rechargeable Flashlight
Pros:
- Very useful in case of emergency or natural disasters
- The strobe is one of the best features
- The shape is effective; it can be used as a spotlight or flashlight
- Easy to use
The NoCry 18 Watt Waterproof 9 LED Combo Unit with 3 Brightness Modes and Red Emergency Flashing Light with USB Port and Car Charger attaches to any place in your home such as a desk, table, or wall.
This product is very useful as it can help in case of floods, blackouts, and even in a survival situation.
This flashlight/spotlight/strobe can be used for outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, marine, and repairs.
10. Eornmor Powerful Portable USB Rechargeable spotlight Handheld Super Bright 6000 Lumen LED Flashlight Rechargeable 9000mAh Long Lasting Large Searchlight Floodlight High Lumen
Pros:
- Lights-Out Mode: 3D electronic volume-less and “Lights-out” to maximize covertness.
- Multiple Light Modes: High, Strobe, Low, SOS
- Strobe Mode: Can be used as an emergency light or to disorient attackers.
- Designed to be used as a Handheld or Wall-Mounted Flashlight.
- 1800mAh Lithium-Ion Battery.
- Charged via PC or AC Fitting.
- Storage Mode: Automatically turns on when in darkness for 3 minutes above 2 meters, keeping charge on standby.
- 12 month warranty.
- Made from solid ABS engineering plastic. Lightweight (0.080kg).
Cons:
- Battery may need replacing when stored away for a long time.
Here we have a spotlight that offers a brightness of 6000 lumens. Not only is it an incredibly powerful spotlight but it also comes with multiple modes of function, making the Eornmor spotlight one of the best on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best spotlight for boats?
If you have a boat or a watercraft then a good spotlight is an essential piece of kit. On the darkest of nights, there is no substitute for the right flashlight.
A long-lasting and durable spotlight is also vital if you want it to keep on working all year long. You never know when that’s going to come in useful. You could be sailing in snowy conditions, crossing the gulf of Alaska, or just be marooned in the middle of the sea somewhere.
How many lumens is a boat spotlight?
Some models say they have 200 or 400 lumens, but what does that really mean? Many of these models will appear to be bright in the hand, but they don’t necessarily project that far. In most cases, manufacturers will list the total number of bulbs in a spotlight, rather than the number of actual lumens coming out of the light.
Most of the lights you’ll find mentioned in my reviews are in the 20-25 lumen range. These are the proper lumen numbers for a good boat light. Anything higher than 25 lumens means the light will be very concentrated.
It’s like walking around your home lit by two flashlights with each pointing in a different direction. It will be extremely bright in a specific direction, but there will be no light going in any other direction.
What are the best spotlights on the market?
Spotlights on fishing boats are a big deal. They are one of the only fishing tools which regular fishermen are required to carry at all times and they have incredibly important jobs.
The best spotlights on the market are those made by Raymarine. Raymarine spotlights have extremely tough aluminum housings and come with very bright LED bulbs. The Raymarine spotlights also come with two power cords, which you can customize to fit your needs. If you add the remote switch to your boat’s dashboard, you can also adjust the Raymarine spotlights from anywhere on board.
What is the most powerful spotlight?
You'll want the most powerful spotlight possible, one that will shine up to 10,000 lumens. I always recommend the Scorpion model.
Conclusion
If your current boat lighting is insufficient or failing to serve you well, replacements are available in the market. Many brands have come up with high-tech LED lights with enhanced features. If your budget permits you to replace all the lights on your boat, you can opt for LED replacements. Otherwise, you can just replace the ones that are in dire need of repair or replacement. LED bulbs are easy to install. So, it shouldn’t be hard for you to replace whatever’s not functional.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| DEWALT 20V MAX LED Work Light | Best Overall | |
| Cyclops 1400 Lumen Marine Style Spotlight | Budget Pick | |
| GOODSMANN Rechargeable Spotlight Waterproof LED Flashlight 3000 Lumen Submersible Searchlight | Upgrade Pick | |