CONTINUOUSWAVE

Our [1976 15-footer] does not have the combined sidelight navigation lamp.

Can a combined sidelight navigation lamp be added?

Is adding a combined sidelight navigation lamp difficult to do?

Was navigation lighting only offered in certain model year production?

Thanks

[Separated from a discussion on an entirely different topic.—Moderator]

The navigation rules for navigation lighting mention no light called “a bow” light. Sidelights show a red (port) light and a green (starboard) light over a certain arc toward the horizon from dead ahead. On small boats the two sidelight lamps may be combined into one lamp and carried at the bow. The “light” is what is seen by another boat. The light is created by a lantern or lamp. The navigation lamp or lantern mounted at the bow is a combined sidelight lamp.

Navigation lighting may have been an option on some early small Boston Whaler hulls.

Fitting a combined sidelight lamp is a topic for discussion in REPAIRS and MODIFICATIONS forum. Please start a separate thread there to get advice on repair or installation of new navigation lamps,

You can buy a combined sidelight lamp with integral chock from a Boston Whaler dealer as a part or use an aftermarket copy of the original or use a generic lamp.

Read the FAQ answer regarding the wiring that may be already in place.

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/FAQ/#Q4

Note the website has an extensive collection of information that is not in this forum. I recommend you start browsing at

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/

Typically if the boat had a combined sidelight lamp at the bow there will be evidence of its mounting and wiring.

I owned a 1976 SPORT 15 with a low-profile generic combined sidelight lamp—not the classic lamp and chock model. A white all-round lamp was mounted on a removable pole at the transom. As far as I know those lamps were OEM accessories the came with the boat as delivered as a new boat.

They did not come from the factory with lights, it was an option. I personally would buy an aftermarket SS bow chock light combo for about $150. Main reason is the chock really helps with lines no chaffing the hull or ripping off your bowlight(which I have done).