Overview

The Attwood Marine 65UW12W-7 is a 6 inch underwater LED light with 12 white LEDs that mounts on the transom surface and runs on 12 VDC. It uses the 6.0 HP Light Armor housing, produces 3,250 fixture lumens, throws an 80 degree beam, and comes with a 3 foot sheathed wire for the power run.

This light is made for below-waterline use and operates only underwater. The housing stays low against the transom, while the sealed electronics, reverse polarity protection, heat sink cooling with active overheat protection, impact-resistant lens, and electro-polished 316 stainless steel cover suit boats that see salt, washdowns, and constant vibration.

Before ordering, check that you have room for a 6.00 inch by 2.35 inch fixture, 5.25 inch spacing between the mounting holes, a 9/16 inch wire clearance hole, and 0.30 inch of depth for the wire collar inside the transom. LED life expectancy is rated at 50,000 hours.

Key features

• 12 white LEDs in the 6.0 HP Light Armor format with 3,250 fixture lumens
• 80 degree beam angle for a wider spread of light behind the boat
• Surface-mount housing for below-waterline installation with a low profile once fitted
• Fully sealed waterproof electronics with reverse polarity protection
• Heat sink cooling system with active overheat protection
• 3 foot sheathed wire for routing through the transom to a switched fused circuit
• Electro-polished 316 stainless steel cover and an impact-resistant lens
• Rated LED life expectancy of 50,000 hours

Installation and setup

The install is straightforward for a surface-mount underwater light, but location matters. The unit should sit at least 10 inches below the waterline when possible. Pilot holes are 3/32 inch, the wire clearance hole is 9/16 inch, and the light is fastened with two #8 pan head stainless steel screws.

Wire it to a fused 12 VDC circuit using waterproof marine connectors. For the 6.0 HP version, the fuse recommendation is 3 amps. Seal around the wire hole and fasteners with marine underwater sealant, but leave the back ridges unsealed so the housing can shed heat correctly.

Use on board

This light suits boats that want a white underwater spread at the transom without cutting for a larger through-hull body. It works well on center consoles, cruisers, and sportfishing boats where a surface-mount fixture, a wider beam, and a low installed height matter more than a flush through-hull look.