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Here are some photos that may explain the differences between the four different bow lights I know of that were used on small (9 to 17 foot) Whalers up until 2001 or so.

Three of the four are remarkably similar in appearance and difficult to tell apart. I hope these photographs will help finding replacement parts for these lights an easier chore.

All of these light fixtures were made by Perko, but only one was ever available off-the-shelf (and it still is). The others were custom made for Whaler by Perko and are cast bronze and chrome-plated.

http://home.comcast.net/~tomwclark/Sm...Lights.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~tomwclark/Bo...sFront.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~tomwclark/Bo...ploded.jpg

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Tom...These pic's are a great help. Wish there was a secret decoder ring to figure out the years. Got a 1969 13 and working on a 1966 16-7. Both appear to be the light on the far left.

do you know if rebuild parts are available for that one...The lens gasket and socket in particular? Mine are both very "frosted"

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My best estimate at this time, from left to right:

- 1961 to 1975

- 1975 to 1982

- 1982 to 1986

- 1986 to 2001

Yes, I would expect both of your boat to use the light on far left.

The lens is available in two forms that I know of:

Reproduction from Specialty Marine

http://www.specialtymarine.com/BOSTON...-p130.html

Actual New Old Stock (NOS) from ClassicBoating.com:

http://www.classicboating.com/parts/b...half-round

There is a lengthy thread discussing the socket itself. (This is what inspired me to take these photos.) It can be found here:

http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...d_id=18874
(added www to the url)

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Mine is a 1982 17 foot and uses the 2nd light pictured.

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JPB -- Thank you for that report. It is a good data point and is consistent with what I have seen.

So I was incorrect in that other thread and you do not need a plastic bushing around your light socket and you would use the larger bulb.

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Looks like there is a short and a tall #1416 bulb then.

The tall bulbs I showed were from both a 1977 and a 1978 Montauk which was correct for those years.

Maybe we should add the short bulb in our Part Photos section?
Shorter #1416 bulb = ?

Taller #1416 Bulb = http://www.whalercentral.com/photogal...hoto_id=23

Festton Bulb = http://www.whalercentral.com/photogal...hoto_id=22

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I would imagine these are reproductions too. Figured I'd post the link as another source for those who are looking:

http://www.marinepartdepot.com/new316...stcl2.html

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To support the referenced dates of use- I have a 1987 15 Sport that has the light on the far right.

Does anyone know where I can get a replacement festoon socket for this light?

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Interesting and informative. My 1981 13 Sport has a light very similar to those shown. It has the two window style but I'll have to take another look to determine which one.

My light stands alone and it is in good condition, AFAIK. The wires are disconnected so I don't know if it is functional. But, the chock assembly is not installed and there is no evidence that there ever was a chock.

Should my boat have a chock? It seems like a very handy way to guide the anchor line.

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No, the chock was an option on the Sport 13, not standard equipment.

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No, but when you figure it out, let us know. I need one too.

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Joe -- No, there is only one #1416 bulb. It is a T4-1/2 with a BA9S base.

The smaller bulb is a G4-1/2 with a BA9s base.

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Still trying to figure out the exact number of the shorter bulb.

There are many G4-1/2 bulbs with different volts, watts, etc.
#1895, #57, #182, etc., etc.
http://www.bulbtown.com/Miniature_Bay..._s/322.htm

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Try #6253

It's a 12 Volt, 0.5 Amp, 6 Watt

http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/t....archb=6253

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That's about the closet one I could find too.
http://www.bulbtown.com/6253_MINIATUR...p/6253.htm

Was hoping to see if anyone has that number on their bulb or a cross reference to an older number if necessary.

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The replacement lens for the third and fourth light (on the right right) is Perko Fig. # 0926

http://www.perko.com/catalog/category...oduct/619/

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The third light (right of center) is, in fact, a Perko Fig #0972

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

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It appears to me that this current PERKO light uses what is also the replacement lens for the Whaler light on the far right (not a complete "dome" but has the top "cut off"). Assuming this is the case, I'm guessing that the socket might also work/fit in the original Whaler light. Further, I'm guessing the bulb is the smaller festoon referenced/needed above. I live right down the road from Jamestown Distributors and plan to stop by to compare with the Whaler parts/pieces.

http://perko.com/catalog/category/navigation_lights_under_20_meters/product/182/

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Yes, as I have already pointed out, the #0926 lens fits both the lights on the right.

Unfortunately, though the bulbs are the same and used in the same way, the plastic base is NOT the same. You can see both of them side by side in my third photo link above. They look very close but the Whaler-sepcifc plastic base is a smaller diameter and fits entirely within the bronze casting.

The stamped brass top of the #0972 Perko light sits on top of its plastic base and will not fit inside the cast bronze light.

Yes, it is very frustrating.

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Mine is a 1976 Sport 15 and I also have the second light from the left.

(moderator note: changed the abbreviated year to the full 4 digit year)

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That makes sense.

I would most like to hear from folks who own 1975, 1982, 1983 and 1985 models.

I have already confirmed the 1984 models used the Perko #0972 light.

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I'll add this info in our parts section once we narrow it down for sure.

Attached is a photo below with some of the info that will be added to the photo.

It will be similar to this exploded view of the Bow Light parts.
http://www.whalercentral.com/photogal...hoto_id=15

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I know this is an old thread but in the above photo, I need to find a replacement bulb bracket for a 1986 15' sport. Not an easy task. If anyone has any information that could help, please let me know.

thanks in advance.

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Thanks for the image showing part numbers for bulbs, that was extremely helpful. Specialty marine was clear in stating that their bow lights, which look like mine, predate the transition to perko parts circa '84 and won't match my 1988 perko bow light.

Anyone know where to find such parts? My setup actually works, but the connection points to the bulb (or bulb, which I can replace thanks to the help here) are hit or miss. And because the setup is so firmly part of the boat, of course I can't easily twist the bulb around to get it working when we're underway.

Appreciate any help!

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PS. Is this it? How can I tell if this is post-84/Perko or pre-84/not? See <https://www.nausetmarine.com/boston-whaler-parts/lighting-and-electrical/light-assemblies/500-5009-classic-bow-light/> for "500-5009 Classic Bow Light"