When cruising and living aboard my M17 used a hard-wired ceiling light for general use. When reading and note-taking used a hocky-puck light (rechargeable) that I could move to various best locations.
On M15 and Sage 17/15/SageCat used the same as above.
My boat has a nice dry cabin, 3" diameter LED "puck" lights from the hardware store are double-stick taped to the roof. Every couple of years I swap out the AAA batteries. They work for general lighting but I use a headlamp for reading.
When I lived aboard my schooner, the primary was a Coleman lamp in the main cabin until I fell asleep and woke up in the middle of the night and saw it was burning blue. Winter or not, I popped the hatch and aired out. From then on, my primary was electric.
1"x5" LED flashlight with six "modes". I love it. Massive range in brightness. Fits well in a pocket or hand. Clip it to the brim of a baseball hat and call it a headlamp.
I’ve been using a LuminAid collapsible solar lantern for years. It has several white and red options, recharges in the sunlight and the company donates to those in need around the world. It even recharges my damn phone…
There are excellent USB rechargeable closet lights that are excellent, with adjustable brightness, motion detection and night light options. But, for night time, we use a candle lamp with three 12hr non paraffin candles to keep the chill and dampness out. We can burn one or three candles depending on the temp. Do keep a porthole open for ventilation and fire and carbon monoxide detectors are essential! BestRoy
When cruising and living aboard my M17 used a hard-wired ceiling light for general use. When reading and note-taking used a hocky-puck light (rechargeable) that I could move to various best locations.
On M15 and Sage 17/15/SageCat used the same as above.
Headlamp - it is handy for reading, hands-free, and always pointing where you are looking.
Bright pocket waterproof flashlight, in/on PFD, with extra batteries changed annually.
"Primary portable light" presumes I only have one task to perform aboard, and only one lamp with which to do it. (Right tool, for the right task!)
1) Hand held high power spot for finding markers, obstructions, etc. at night.
2) Two hand held flashlights for general tasks aboard, at night.
3) USB rechargeable head lamp, for reading at night.
4) Lantern hung from underside of Bimini top for general area lighting. (Cooking in cockpit, etc.)
5) Push on-off puck lamp in SCAMP cabin, for finding gear at night.
My boat has a nice dry cabin, 3" diameter LED "puck" lights from the hardware store are double-stick taped to the roof. Every couple of years I swap out the AAA batteries. They work for general lighting but I use a headlamp for reading.
When I lived aboard my schooner, the primary was a Coleman lamp in the main cabin until I fell asleep and woke up in the middle of the night and saw it was burning blue. Winter or not, I popped the hatch and aired out. From then on, my primary was electric.
1"x5" LED flashlight with six "modes". I love it. Massive range in brightness. Fits well in a pocket or hand. Clip it to the brim of a baseball hat and call it a headlamp.
The quicky first use is the small led in my pocket, but for serious stuff, the reliable “headlight”.
Kayalite and Black Diamond headlamp. Mostly using canoe these days.
Black Diamond headlamp rechargeable but also with conventional AAA for spare.
Headlamps backed up by flash lights and a solar lantern. All are usb rechargeable.
I’ve been using a LuminAid collapsible solar lantern for years. It has several white and red options, recharges in the sunlight and the company donates to those in need around the world. It even recharges my damn phone…
We have three Luci lights, plus a couple of headlamps. It keeps my Compac 19 sufficiently illuminated on overnight anchorages.
waterproof headlamps with a red light as well as variable white. can use it on & off the boat
There are excellent USB rechargeable closet lights that are excellent, with adjustable brightness, motion detection and night light options. But, for night time, we use a candle lamp with three 12hr non paraffin candles to keep the chill and dampness out. We can burn one or three candles depending on the temp. Do keep a porthole open for ventilation and fire and carbon monoxide detectors are essential! BestRoy
USB Rechargeable Camping Lantern - https://lightsdaddy.com/products/sinvitron-led-camping-lantern-rechargeable-1000lm-150h-run-time-5200mah-power-bank-5-light-modes-black-green-model-c5?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=edae97a3e&pr_rec_pid=9372879225073&pr_ref_pid=9372074967281&pr_seq=uniform