How is the stern light attached?

[MadMacX]

Hi Guys,

I want to replace the lamp cord that runs back to the stern light, but for the life of me, I cannot figure out how the light is attached to the boat. I looked through the plug access hole and can see no mechanical fasteners, so I guess it is held in place with 5200, or some such stuff. I hate to pry on it, if it is in fact, attached with screws. Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks,
Pat

[Hamin' X]

Have you removed the lens cover to check for screws from that end?

~Rich

[March]

On mine, it's just two screws into the fiberglass. People have been grabbing it when using the ladder to get on board (there's a handle there, too, but who cares. It's too obvious) It came off last year. I patched up with MarineTex and sealed it in place with silicone. Drilled new holes and fixed in place good as new.

[MadMacX]

Have you removed the lens cover to check for screws from that end?

~Rich

That's the first thing I did. No screws.

On mine, it's just two screws into the fiberglass. People have been grabbing it when using the ladder to get on board (there's a handle there, too, but who cares. It's too obvious) It came off last year. I patched up with MarineTex and sealed it in place with silicone. Drilled new holes and fixed in place good as new.

I was afraid someone would say that. I see the two holes for screws, but it looks like there is some type of bedding compound in the holes. NOT a happy camper!

Thanks,
Pat

[Hamin' X]

I hate it when that happens.

~Rich

[Night Sailor]

I just this a.m. discoverd the same puzzle on my '98 X. I want to move up to the top of my stern arch so it won't be covered by the enclosure I'm making. One machine screw hold the lens cover on, but inside there is no visible means of fastening from the top. I gently pried up the edge of the plastic as far as I dared and there is no sigh of a bedding compound. From my access port on the outside of the coaming directly beneath it, I could not feel anything like a fasterner from underneath it. It appears as thought the bulb socket base might extend into the deck but I did not feel anything there.

I sure hope someone lets us know what gives before we have to destroy the old one... and maybe find a big hole to fill instead of just screw holes.

[Hamin' X]

May if someone fires off an email to Blue Water Yachts, they will have some info?

~Rich

[MadMacX]

OK, I got it. It was held down with some type of black bedding compound, actually more like black GLUE. Once I got it out I found several holes under the light fixture. Looks like the PO had a little problem drilling holes. The light I have is an Aqua Signal light so I'm not sure it is original. It looks like it was supposed to have a rubber gasket under the light, but none is present.

Well, I'm going to clip the wires and put in some decent boat cable. What a complete waste of time just to replace the cheesy wire that Roger put in these boats. Next up, the interior lights. Not sure I'm going to attempt the bow light, that looks like a real project to figure out where those wires run.

Anyway, thanks guys,
Pat

[Captain Steve]

Pat, On my 98 the wires to the bow light are easily found under the lip of the liner, port side forward of the galley. You can feel them when you pull the lip inward. I tapped into it there to put separate lights on cabin sides

[March]

I thought you meant how the pole is attached to the Fiberglass hull. I never took the lens apart. Sorry, I goofed

[Night Sailor]

I found the same element on my X which has the original AquaSignal light in the original location. No bedding compound or gasket, but very tough glue. I used a steel leader wire to saw back and forth from all sides to lossen it without damaging the light.

[MadMacX]

I found the same element on my X which has the original AquaSignal light in the original location. No bedding compound or gasket, but very tough glue. I used a steel leader wire to saw back and forth from all sides to lossen it without damaging the light.

That's too funny. I did the same thing to "slice" thru whatever was holding it down.

Pat

[Rick Westlake]

The original bow and stern lights on Beija-Flor, my , were AquaSignal 20's ... the stern light wasn't working, the wiring was shorted out, and I had the of a time getting a cable to it! Finally put in a Beckson 4" inspection hatch just below it, to have something that would seal up. (At least that thing looked as if it might belong there!) After that, the light worked ... okay.

Roger must like those AquaSignal 20 lights; they're on my Bossa Nova, too. I mean to replace them with LED lights, unless Dr. LED comes out with a peanut LED for that series of lights. I just hope there will be enough leader beneath the old stern light, because I am not afraid to drill a bigger hole this time!