posted 10-28-2010 09:47 PM ET (US)        

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[What] distance in nautical miles can the factory [combined sidelight lamp] on a 1965 Boston Whaler 15-footer be seen? The reason I am asking is because I have to replace my whole lamp assembly and chock. I found the one Specialty Marine sells-- which is nice--but [I] wondered if [I] should install it with a little larger light that looks very similar but can be seen for a known two nautical miles. The one from [S]pecialty [M]arine does not come with a marine wire tinned pigtail. I called them and they could only tell me that it is OEM-specification-compliant, but they do not have the slightest idea how far it can be seen. It is a very small light, and I am only assuming it can be seen only for one mile.

I did find a nice stainless replacement that looks almost the same but can be seen for two nautical miles and a hell of alot cheaper. I would still have to buy the whole chock assembly with the lamp, though, because they seperate the lamp from the chock and sell it seperately. But you cannot buy a chock without the lamp. Mine is badly discolored and pitted. While we are on the subject - Does anyone know the regulation on the necessary height [for the white all-round light] for the exact same boat? Thank you in advance guys for any help - Paul.

posted 10-28-2010 10:20 PM ET (US)            

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See:

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/FAQ/#Q11

The visibility of navigation lights are given in

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/index.php?pageName=Rule22

The minimum visibility of the sidelight of a vessel less than 12-meters in length is one mile. The year the boat was manufactured does not affect the rule. Only the length of the boat affects the required visibility.