Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: OEM Like replacment bow lights
Posted by Jeff on 01/30/07 - 11:47 AM
#1
Dave (Buckda),
I am cleaning out my computer and ran across this image of your Bow Lights. I know you got them at Wolf's Marine but who makes them (Wilcox or Perko?) and do you have a part #. For those looking for placements, as the Wilcox Lights are no longer available, these are REALLY close. In fact it took me 3 or 4 times out to notice they were not OEM.
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/P7260014.jpg[/img]
Joe if you could embed this image it would be appreciated!
Edited by Jeff on 01/30/07 - 12:48 PM
Posted by Joe Kriz on 01/30/07 - 12:18 PM
#2
Jeff,
This are the original older style Wilcox navigation lights. These lights were used from 1981 to 1983 but obviously there was a transition period somewhere.
Whaler used up what they had in stock before switching to the newer style and we can assume that your boat was one of these transitions.
http://www.whalercentral.com/photogal...?photo=334
Posted by Buckda on 01/30/07 - 3:10 PM
#3
Actually, I don't believe that these are W/C fixtures, Joe - unless they pre-date W/C using marinium and there is no W/C logo embossed on the inside of the forging.
These are not Chrome over Brass either - they are much to light for that. I believe they are cast aluminum with chrome plating.
I found them at Wolf's in Benton Harbor, Michigan. My boat came with original W/C hardware, however the port was this older style, and the starboard lamp was the newer (taller) style.
Contrary to what some believe, I'm not a stickler for staying OEM. If something is better or improves the aesthetics of the boat while maintaining quality, I'm all for it. I purchased these fittings purely for the aesthetics of having a matched pair. I sold one of the OEM fittings to another site member several years ago and I still have the marinium W/C casting for the other.
Unfortunately, the original "innards" were severely corroded from saltwater exposure and were not salvable.
I don't know who made these lights. I bought them for about $30 and they were in an unmarked bag. I remember seeing another pair, and two weeks later returned to Wolfs to pick them up as backups, and they were gone.
Every single time I return to the store, I look to see if they got another pair in stock. Wolf's is like that - they buy bankruptcies and closeouts - when Laughing Gull Marina in Gull Lake (Whaler dealer) went out of business earlier this year, I noticed some of their stock (priced items withtheir tags) showing up at Wolf's.
Anyway - they have a bunch of other W/C stuff there - old stock, etc. but not these lights. I keep looking.
Jeff - sorry, no part # or anything for these - as I said - they came in a plain bag with a pricetag. the lenses are still available. There are 5 pairs to choose from at Wolf's. I already have a spare pair for my boat, but am happy to pick them up and ship them to anyone who needs them, as they should fit the old style W/C lamps as well. $4.99 from Wolf's plus shipping and a small inconvenience charge from me.
Let me know.
Dave
Posted by Joe Kriz on 01/30/07 - 3:21 PM
#4
Dave,
Yours might not be OEM Wilcox....
If you look very close at the above link in the left photo, you will see the circle with the Wilcox logo... I have other photos of the original Wilcox lights for 1981 to 1983 +?.....
Posted by Buckda on 01/30/07 - 3:39 PM
#5
Joe:
Agreed. I
don't believe, or operate under any assumption that mine are from Wilcox. If they are, they are very old and pre-date any practice of W/C to include their logo.
My above post should not be construed to imply that I think that your photo link above is incorrect. In fact, I have one of those same castings at my desk at home, that
IS a marinium casting from Wilcox. I compared the two when Ibought these relacements.
I do believe that mine (Pictured above from Jeff) are knock-offs, and are actually of lesser quality than W/C originals, however, aesthetically, they are very, very close and suit my needs just fine.
Dave
Edited by Buckda on 01/30/07 - 3:43 PM
Posted by Joe Kriz on 01/30/07 - 3:51 PM
#6
Dave,
I was not aware that the photo above in Jeff's post was a photo of yours. I thought they were from his 22'..... Now that I have re-read the post, I see....
The Outrage and Revenge series, from 1981 to 1983, had the Wilcox lights that look just like the ones you have. Of course they have the Wilcox logo and were made of marinium....
Whatever you have, they look good so I surely wouldn't think twice about using them.
The originals are very hard to come by....
Will an original Wilcox cover fit on your light lenses?
Posted by Buckda on 01/30/07 - 4:02 PM
#7
I am 95 percent certain, from looking at the two, that the lenses will fit the OEM Wilcox light. The only caveat is if the "innards" of the W/C unit is different in some way.
It would be nice to compare with an older boat, however I've not had the opportunity or pleasure to boat with someone else with an 1981 -'83 hull.
Incidentally, my outrage is a 1986 (manufactured in Dec. '85), so I'm not sure if one was replaced with old dealer stock after damage and before my ownership of the vessel, or if the factory was "low" that day and pulled an old fitting from the parts bin to complete my hull. Things that make you go "hmmm".
Dave
Posted by Jeff on 01/30/07 - 6:33 PM
#8
Joe,
No those are not mine they are Dave's. That is why I posted them. They look so close that they would be a great replacement to the OEMs.
Here are the ones from my Outrage
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/IMGP2029.jpg[/img]
Now if we could only figure out who makes them.
Dave, have you ever asked anyone at Wolf's if they know about them or if they could source anything like them?