Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: International Masthead Light base for 1986 Outrage 18'

Posted by Tom W Clark on 02/12/11 - 8:08 AM
#10

OK, so what you are after is a Perko light socket that will work with what you have, what Whaler called the Upper Masthead Light Mount.

I can think of three solutions to this dilemma.

Though the Perko 1045 may have ben custom made for Whaler back then, it was not an entirely unique part; Perko almost certainly assembled it from off-the-shelf parts rather than creating new and unique moldings. My strong suspicion is that you could modify a new Perko 1045 base to make it work for your needs. The requirements are threefold:

- It needs an open bottom for the pole to pass through. So take a new one with the pin socket in the base and cut the base off.

- It needs to have the eccentric collar and locking ring. Literature on Perko's website indicates a new 1045 base can come with the locking collar to work with older lights.

- It needs to accommodate the 3/4" diameter pole. This is a standard size and I am sure the Perko 1045 does this.

Your other solution is to not buy a new upper light mount, but to buy a used one that was OE on a boat like yours. Have you perused the WC classified Section? I think you might find what you are looking for there...

The third (and best) solution is to dispose of the masthead light altogether for the reasons stated earlier. The 2" hole left in the top of your console is a trivial matter to deal with. Add something there, move your compass over or add a nice piece of teak to cover the entire top of your console or just one part of it. I have owned four Whalers with that console and have had to deal with old holes on all of them. It's not a problem, it's an opportunity.