Make a Kayak Mast Light
If you go kayak fishing at night, especially if there are powered boats around, you should have a light so you can be seen by other boats. Here's how to make an inexpensive and effective mast light that will make things a little safer in the dark.
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Click on the links below
Click on photos for larger image
Select a Light
For the kayak light project, we are going to use a Shoreline kayak stern light. These lights are available almost anywhere.
The Shoreline kayak stern light is available at retail and online stores for less than $20 USD. We got ours on eBay for about $16.
For the kayak light project, we are going to use a Shoreline kayak stern light. These lights are available almost anywhere.
The Shoreline kayak stern light is available at retail and online stores for less than $20 USD. We got ours on eBay for about $16.
Get Mast Parts
The light is going to be mounted on a piece of PVC pipe. We are going to use four feet of 1/2" SCH 40 PVC pipe.
You also need to get a 1/2" PVC cap and a 1/4-20 stainless steel lock nut. All these things should be less than $5.
The light is going to be mounted on a piece of PVC pipe. We are going to use four feet of 1/2" SCH 40 PVC pipe.
You also need to get a 1/2" PVC cap and a 1/4-20 stainless steel lock nut. All these things should be less than $5.
Disassemble the Light
Unscrew the bottom part of the Shoreline light. Before we started taking it apart, we put some batteries in it to make sure it was working.
Use a hex head wrench and remove the gray part of the light body from the black plastic base.
The gray plastic light piece, rubber 'O' ring and hex bolt will be used to make the mast light.
Unscrew the bottom part of the Shoreline light. Before we started taking it apart, we put some batteries in it to make sure it was working.
Use a hex head wrench and remove the gray part of the light body from the black plastic base.
The gray plastic light piece, rubber 'O' ring and hex bolt will be used to make the mast light.
Drill PVC Cap
Take the 1/2" PVC cap and use sandpaper to make a flat spot on the top of the cap. You don't have to do this, but it makes everything a lot easier.
Drill a hole in the center of the PVC cap so the 1/4-20 bolt will go through it. 5/16" is a common drill bit size that would work.
Once the hole is drilled, it's time to assemble the mast light.
Take the 1/2" PVC cap and use sandpaper to make a flat spot on the top of the cap. You don't have to do this, but it makes everything a lot easier.
Drill a hole in the center of the PVC cap so the 1/4-20 bolt will go through it. 5/16" is a common drill bit size that would work.
Once the hole is drilled, it's time to assemble the mast light.
Attach Light Base to PVC Cap
The next step is to attach the gray light base to the PVC cap.
The hex bolt goes through the light base, then the 'O' ring and into the PVC cap using the 1/4-20 stainless steel lock nut.
Before bolting the light base to the PVC cap, use some silicone sealant between them for extra strength. You don't have to do this, but it makes it a little stronger by taking some of the pressure off the gray plastic light base.
For a stronger bond between the light base and PVC cap, use JB Weld adhesive or waterproof epoxy.
The next step is to attach the gray light base to the PVC cap.
The hex bolt goes through the light base, then the 'O' ring and into the PVC cap using the 1/4-20 stainless steel lock nut.
Before bolting the light base to the PVC cap, use some silicone sealant between them for extra strength. You don't have to do this, but it makes it a little stronger by taking some of the pressure off the gray plastic light base.
For a stronger bond between the light base and PVC cap, use JB Weld adhesive or waterproof epoxy.
Attach PVC Cap to the Mast
Once the light base is attached to the PVC cap, all that is left is to attach the PVC cap to the 1/2" PVC pipe. The PVC tubing we have is about four feet long. That seems to be a good height where the light is easily visible by other watercraft and the mast is not to "whippy". You can use PVC cement to attach the cap to the pipe, but it will be on there for good. If you use silicone sealant, the cap will stay on and you can probably remove the cap if you had to.
Slide the PVC cap on the end of the 1/2" PVC, make sure it's on there for keeps and wipe away the excess sealant with a paper towel.
Let the silicone sealant cure overnight and the kayak mast light is ready to go.
Once the light base is attached to the PVC cap, all that is left is to attach the PVC cap to the 1/2" PVC pipe. The PVC tubing we have is about four feet long. That seems to be a good height where the light is easily visible by other watercraft and the mast is not to "whippy". You can use PVC cement to attach the cap to the pipe, but it will be on there for good. If you use silicone sealant, the cap will stay on and you can probably remove the cap if you had to.
Slide the PVC cap on the end of the 1/2" PVC, make sure it's on there for keeps and wipe away the excess sealant with a paper towel.
Let the silicone sealant cure overnight and the kayak mast light is ready to go.
Using the Mast Light
You can stick the light mast into any fishing rod holder. If the fit is too loose, use 1/2" ID pipe insulation for a tighter fit. Of course you can fabricate a mounting spot that would fit your kayak configuration.
Rechargeable 700mAh AAA batteries will keep the light on for at least six to eight hours. People tell me they can see the light from a quarter mile away.
Always wear a PFD, especially in the dark. Even with a light, be alert and aware of what's going on around you. Safety is always the top priority.
You can stick the light mast into any fishing rod holder. If the fit is too loose, use 1/2" ID pipe insulation for a tighter fit. Of course you can fabricate a mounting spot that would fit your kayak configuration.
Rechargeable 700mAh AAA batteries will keep the light on for at least six to eight hours. People tell me they can see the light from a quarter mile away.
Always wear a PFD, especially in the dark. Even with a light, be alert and aware of what's going on around you. Safety is always the top priority.
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