What Are Spreader Lights? Marine Definition & LED Buying Guide

Spreader light (noun): A downward-facing marine light traditionally mounted on the spreaders of a sailboat's mast, designed to illuminate the deck, cockpit, and rigging below. Modern spreader lights are also installed on T-tops, radar arches, hardtops, and tower structures on powerboats to provide overhead task and area lighting.

Spreader lights are essential for safe nighttime operations aboard boats and yachts, providing focused illumination for line handling, fish fighting, deck work, and general visibility without blinding the helmsman or other vessels.

How Spreader Lights Work

Spreader lights cast a controlled, downward-facing beam from an elevated mounting position typically 10 to 30 feet above the deck. Unlike flood lights that provide wide, expansive coverage, spreader lights use a more focused beam angle (usually 40° to 60°) to concentrate light onto the work area below while minimizing light spill to the sides.

This directional design serves two purposes: it maximizes usable light on the deck where you need it, and it reduces glare that could impair night vision or disturb neighboring boats at the marina. Many modern LED spreader lights feature high/low switching or dimming capabilities to further control output based on conditions.

Spreader Lights vs. Flood Lights: What's the Difference?

Feature	Spreader Lights	Flood Lights
Beam Angle	40°–60° (focused)	90°–120° (wide)
Mounting Position	Elevated (mast, T-top, arch)	Lower (deck-level, hardtop edge)
Light Direction	Downward-focused	Outward-expansive
Best For	Deck work, rigging, fishing	Area lighting, docking, entertaining
Glare Control	Better (less light spill)	More ambient spillover

💡 Pro Tip: Many boaters use both spreader lights for focused task lighting during line work and fishing, and flood lights for broader illumination when entertaining or docking.

Common Applications for Spreader Lights

Spreader lights serve critical functions across sailboats, sportfishing boats, center consoles, and yachts:

•       Sailboat deck and rigging illumination – Light foredeck, mast base, and running rigging during night sailing and anchoring

•       Night fishing – Illuminate cockpit and gunwales for bait rigging, fish fighting, and catch handling

•       T-top and hardtop lighting – Provide overhead illumination on center consoles and express cruisers

•       Tower lighting – Light bridge decks and cockpits on sportfishing boats from elevated tower positions

•       Deck maintenance – Enable safe line handling, equipment checks, and general deck work after dark

•       Docking assistance – Illuminate cleats, fenders, and dock lines during nighttime arrivals

What to Look for in LED Spreader Lights

Feature	What to Look For
Lumen Output	1,000–6,000+ lumens depending on mounting height and coverage needs. Higher mounting = more lumens needed.
Beam Angle	40°–60° for focused spreader use; 120° scene optics for wider coverage from lower heights.
Color Temperature	6500K (cool white/daylight) is standard. 4000K (neutral) and 3000K (warm white) available for less harsh illumination.
IP Rating	IP67 minimum for marine use. Protects against dust and temporary water immersion.
Voltage	12V–36V DC with constant-current drivers. Wide input range accommodates varying boat electrical systems.
Construction	Marine-grade aluminum with powder coat finish. Look for corrosion-resistant housings that match gel coat colors.
Dimming/Switching	High/low modes or PWM dimming allow output adjustment. "Low beam" modes reduce glare at marinas.
Mounting Style	Surface mount or flush mount. Flush mount provides cleaner aesthetics on hardtops and T-tops.

Benefits of LED Spreader Lights vs. Halogen

LED spreader lights have largely replaced halogen fixtures on modern boats. Here's why:

•       90%+ energy savings – Draw a fraction of the power of 300W halogen floods, preserving battery capacity

•       50,000+ hour lifespan – Compared to 2,000 hours for halogen bulbs, virtually eliminating replacement costs

•       Instant-on operation – Full brightness immediately with no warm-up time

•       Reduced heat output – LEDs run cooler, improving safety and reducing fire risk near rigging and canvas

•       Vibration resistant – Solid-state construction handles engine vibration and pounding seas better than filament bulbs

•       Compact form factor – More light output from smaller fixtures, enabling cleaner installations

DRSA-Recommended LED Spreader Lights

DRSA stocks premium LED spreader lights from Lumitec, Black Oak, and Lumishore engineered for harsh marine conditions and backed by industry-leading warranties.

Lumitec HP/6 High-Power LED Spreader

The HP/6 is the most powerful LED spreader light for its size, featuring 18 multi-chip power LEDs that deliver cool, efficient daylight-white illumination. Built to IP67 standards with marine-grade aluminum construction, it closely matches white gel coat finishes. The patented high/low operation changes the light pattern at the flick of a switch your marina neighbors will appreciate the "low beam" setting. Self-contained 12–36V DC drivers achieve 96% circuit efficiency, drawing only a fraction of halogen power.

•       18 multi-chip power LEDs

•       Patented high/low beam switching

•       50° flood, 41×20° elliptical, or spot beam options

•       6500K, 4000K, or 3000K color temperature options

•       IP67 rated, marine-grade aluminum

Shop HP/6 Spreader Light: drsa.com/products/hp-6-high-power-led-spreader

Black Oak 2" Marine Spreader Light (Pro Series 3.0)

The Black Oak 2" Marine Spreader Light is a compact, high-output fixture perfect for T-tops, hardtops, and tower installations. The 120° scene optics provide extremely wide dispersion without hot spots, ideal for area lighting when fishing at night or preparing gear early morning. Pro Series 3.0 features a 20% increase in lumen over previous generations, making it one of the brightest compact spreaders on the market. Available in surface-mount or flush-mount configurations.

•       120° beam angle for wide coverage

•       Pro Series 3.0 with 20% brighter output

•       1.4 amp draw (extremely efficient)

•       Surface mount or flush mount options

Shop Black Oak Spreader Lights: drsa.com/collections/black-oak-led-lights

Lumitec Octane LED Wakeboard Tower Light

For tower-mounted applications, the Lumitec Octane delivers 1,000 darkness-piercing lumens from a beautifully machined billet 6061-T6 aluminum housing. Manufactured and hand-finished in the USA, the Octane combines exceptional output with rock-solid reliability and distinctive styling. Perfect for wakeboard towers, sportfishing towers, and radar arches where aesthetics matter as much as performance.

•       1,000 lumens output

•       Machined billet 6061-T6 aluminum

•       Made in USA

Shop Octane Tower Light: drsa.com/products/octane-led-wakeboard-tower-light

Browse All LED Spreader Lights: drsa.com/collections/led-spreader-lights

Lumitec Maxillume H120 Flush Mount Flood Light

The Lumitec Maxillume H120 combines spreader light functionality with flush-mount aesthetics for a seamless installation. Featuring dimmable white output, the H120 lets you adjust illumination levels to match conditions full brightness for deck work or dimmed for a softer ambiance at anchor. The white housing blends with gel coat finishes while the flush-mount design eliminates snag points on deck.

• Flush mount installation
• Dimmable white output
• White housing matches gel coat
• Versatile flood pattern
• Marine-grade construction

Shop Lumitec Maxillume H120

Example in a Sentence

"The crew switched on the spreader lights to illuminate the foredeck while setting the anchor in the dark anchorage."

Synonyms

•        Mast light
•       Deck light
•       Overhead spreader
•       T-top light

Related Marine Lighting Terms

•       Flood Lights – Wide-beam lights (90°–120°) for broad area illumination
•        Search Lights – Narrow-beam, high-intensity lights for long-distance spotting
•        Cockpit Lights – Task lighting for helm stations and cockpit work areas
•        Navigation Lights – Required lighting for vessel identification and position
•        Underwater Lights – Submersible lights mounted below waterline

Shop Related Categories at DRSA

•       Flood & Spreader Lights

•       Marine LED Flood Lights

•       Black Oak LED Lights

•       Lumitec LED Lighting