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I have a 1988 Montauk 17. I am looking for the base and socket assembly that fits into the original Boston whaler lens dome. The old base and socket assembly on my BW uses a 0071DP0CLR festoon bulb. The only base and socket assembly I found on the Perko website that looks like mine is Perko part number 0135. Can anyone confirm whether the Perko part number 0135 is the one that fits into the original BW dome? Thanks in advance for any assistance with this problem.

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Let me ask this another way:

I am sure someone has replaced the black base and socket assembly that fits into the lens "dome" that is screwed (with two small screws) to the assembly that is screwed to the bow from the bottom with two 1/4 inch screws. What product exactly did you use to replace the original base and socket assembly?

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Perko doesn't show a photo of the socket assembly but the bulb number is correct. See the Spare Parts in the link below.

http://perko.com/catalog/category/nav...oduct/182/

Have you found a price for the #0135 ?

Do you have the 2 piece lens as shown in our link?
This also shows the base and socket but not the part number.
http://www.whalercentral.com/photogal...hoto_id=19

I was finally able to find one for sale with a photo.
http://www.marinepowerservice.com/Boa.../13131.cfm

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Joe:

Thanks for the reply. Yes mine has a 2 piece lens. Luckily the lens is still serviceable. The metal piece on the base that holds the festoon bulb is totally corroded and must be replaced. I got the 0135 number from the exact same Perko web page you linked in your response. I just want to be sure that Perko 0135 is the replacement part that fits in the BW dome. The base in the Perko pic looks like it is flared out. So I have doubts. My local Marine parts supplier can get it for me at a good price but it must be special ordered with no refund so I want to be sure that it is the exact replacement part that fits. So the question simply is: Is the Perko 0135 the exact replacement part that fits in the BW "dome?" I conclude from your link to the marine power service web site with a pic of 0135 that it is. PLease confirm that my conclusion is correct. Thank you.

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Flamingo,

I cannot confirm that.
Hopefully someone else here can.

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No, the Perko Fig. # 135 will not fit the cast bow light, only the stamped bow light.

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Tom:

Thanks for the reply. I am disappointed that my doubts were well placed. I do in fact have the cast bow light. The logical follow up question is: What base and socket assembly will fit the cast bow light? Or can the metal pieces from Perko fig. 135 be removed from it and installed on the plastic base that I have. The plastic base that I have does say Perko but does not have a part no. The metal pieces on mine are attached to the plastic base with two small screws and nuts. The plastic base is good but the metal "C" part that holds the festoon bulb is totally corroded. Are the metal parts interchangeable? If not what can be done to fix the bow light? Thanks.

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I'm not sure it is available. I have examples the both the Whaler OE base for the cast light and the Fig. # 135 base. Both are Perko, neither have their own part numbers on them.

No, the hardware is similar but different; you cannot use what comes with the Fig. # 135 base with the base you have even though they both use the same bulb.

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If the plastic base itself is fine, I think your best bet is to see if you can find the die-cast bulb contact you need (I presume that is what is corroded). That part may be used on some other Perko products but I can think of no easy way to search except look at spare parts lists, light by light.

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Tom:
Thanks. If the die cast bulb contact can't be found: Do you have any suggestions on how to get the bow light to work? I can't believe someone hasn't developed a repair for this problem. For most other boats, this bow light base would outlast the boat.

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I'm having trouble picturing what you're looking for so not sure if this will help. I have an 1989 Montauk and constantly had issues with that front light not working. The bracket that held the bulb was very corroded and flimsy so a few years ago I soldered a bulb directly to the + and - wires and stuck it in there as best I could.

It's probably goong on 4 years now and I haven't had any issues with it so I sort of forget what it looks like in there. If I get in there for maintenance this winter I'll try to snap some pix.

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The black piece in this photo in the "OEM Part Photos and Info" link.
http://www.whalercentral.com/photogal...hoto_id=19

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It looks to me like that black piece is plastic so I assume you still have that part and it's the metal bracket that holds the light bulb is what corroded. My solution might sound micky mouse but it's lasted for almost 4 years now so hard to argue with that. The other thing I did was I seated the inside edge of both plastic lenses with clear silicone to try to keep water out.

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Joe: That link shows what looks like the exact same base and lens that I have.

The Perko web site spare parts pages has several other base w/socket assemblies, eg.: Figs. 0136, 0139, 0107, 0226, 0114. But no pics.

whalerbob: Yes, that silly little POS achilles heel of the entire fixture metal bracket that holds the bulb is what I need. Your method is my last resort. Thanks for that suggestion. I would have thought that the heat from the soldering iron would damage that $5.00 rip off Perko festoon bulb. Perko is located here locally. So I called and the guy couldn't be bothered answering questions about one $20.00 part so he blew me off. People here in Miami have a third world sense of customer service, which is rude surly don't bother me customer service.

We have a big marine flea market here in March so I am going to scour that for the part. The clear silicon is a good idea. I think water works its way in through that two piece lens.

I am also thinking about putting a regular socket for a small round regular type bulb in there. But I am concerned about whether it may be hotter than the festoon bulb and damaging the lens. Any ideas on that ?

One would think this a very minor problem but it is becoming a real time wasting PITA. Thanks for the replies.

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Hi Flamingo, I used one of the little round bulbs. The heat is not an issue, you do need to be careful with the solder. The wire coming in from the channel was too short to work with so I connected about 6" of wire, one to the center post and one to the side, then connected/soldered that to the existing wire, I solder and shrink wrap all connections. I also made a spare that was already soldered but not sure where it is, haven't needed it.

Having said all that LED might also be a good option.

PS:Flamingo, Does this look familiar? http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w...c1d04f.jpg
A couple years ago on my way down to the keys I launched out of Flamingo and camped three nights in the backcountry alone on my Whaler. That was an epic adventure and can't wait to do it again!

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I went to radio shack and found a flashlight part that has worked for the past 2 seasons on my 1968. I run that boat hard and fast. still lights

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The bow light socket of a 1968 Whaler was completely different than a 1988.

If anybody needs a socket for their old bow light from the 1960s, I have a few that can be adapted.