Upgrading Boat Lighting and Exploring Local Life
Living life on a boat brings unique challenges and joys, and one critical improvement that makes daily life more comfortable is upgrading the lighting. In a recent vlog, we shared our experience installing new wireless tap-to-dim RV lights on our boat, plus a glimpse of exploring a local grocery store and preparing tasty meals. Here’s a detailed outline of that experience, packed with practical tips and insights for fellow boaters and adventure seekers.
Why Upgrading Boat Lighting Matters
Boat lighting is more than just aesthetics — it’s about safety, functionality, and comfort. On our sailboat, many of the original lights were non-functional or dim, which made living onboard challenging, especially after dark. The new puck lights we installed are wireless, tap-activated, and dimmable, giving us full control over illumination settings. With just a tap, you can turn them on or off, hold to dim or brighten, and change colors too, perfect for setting an ambient mood for evening relaxation.
What’s in the Box and Installation Tips
Each light package included:
- The puck light itself (3 inches in diameter)
- Mounting puck with screws
- Instructions
While the kit didn’t come with wire clamps, we opted to use wireproof butt connectors for safe and secure wiring. The lights run on 12V, with red as positive and black as negative, making installation straightforward for those familiar with basic boat electrical work.
We replaced the old lights in the boat bathroom first, noticing an immediate improvement. Our current lights draw about 3 amps, while these new LED lights only use 2 amps, helping conserve power in our limited energy environment.
Lighting Experience Post-Installation
The new lights provide bright, warm illumination, especially noticeable in the bathroom and kitchen areas where lighting is critical. Being able to dim the puck lights allows customization – whether for late-night use or tasks requiring brighter light. The compact size and easy replaceability make these lights an excellent upgrade for older boats.
Local Life and Grocery Store Discovery
Aside from the lighting project, we decided to check out a local grocery spot, Ruth’s grocery store, near our marina neighborhood. It was our first time visiting despite living here for over three months. The store was neatly stocked, with wider aisles and a good selection of fresh meat, veggies, and pantry staples.
Exploring local markets is always a treat for us, helping to connect with the community and source ingredients for meals onboard. We ended up picking up items for a new recipe we’re developing, inspired by Caribbean flavors.
Cooking and Sharing Recipes on the Boat
After the grocery adventure, Danielle made a delicious boat dip that’s soon to be featured on our website. It’s a healthy, flavorful recipe perfect for boat living where space and ingredients can be limited. We also showcased a unique root-based dipping cracker, a Caribbean staple made from yuca, which is versatile and fun to experiment with.
Cooking on a boat comes with its own set of challenges, but also great rewards in eating fresh meals crafted with love and creativity in a cozy setting.
Bringing It All Together
Our journey upgrading the boat’s lighting and embracing local life highlights how little improvements can significantly impact boat living comfort and lifestyle. From using efficient LED puck lights to sourcing fresh local ingredients and cooking together, each step enriches our days on the water.
We hope this experience inspires other boat owners and adventurers to tackle their own DIY upgrades and find joy in simple discoveries.
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