Bertram33 User Forum

I'm looking for a new bow light for my '88 FBC. The original is corroded beyond repair. Perko's website isn't too easy to use, seems to me. Any suggestions? Thanks.

My old 25 and my dad's 31 Bertram had the famous Bertram Bow Light. I don't know where you could get one of those. But my 33 just has the standard Perko Lights because of the bow pulpit. If yours is like mine you could go to any Boaters World, West Marine or any bosting supply store and match them up. Buzz buzzk 1988 Bertram 33 FBC Buzz Off Morehead City, NC

Thanks for the reply, but I'm looking for the white bow light on the front of the flybridge, not the green and red piece all the way on the bow. I put a pulpit on years ago and the original green and red beauty is sitting on my desk, newly plated.

I replaced my white light on the flybridge a couple of years ago. I found something that matched or near matched at a local boating supply store. Buzz buzzk 1988 Bertram 33 FBC Buzz Off Moerhead City, NC

Shoe-in... I have to replace the same light on "Phoenix".. I believe the light I presently have is not the Bertram original, since it is badly deteriorated and cheaply made. Per the "Rules Of The Road" as published by the USCG this is called a "Masthead Light", and must be visible through an arc of 225 degrees, and must be able to be seen for 2 miles. If you use this light showing forward you must also show the Stern Light, which must be visible for 135 degrees. For B33s (being less than 12 meters in length) it is also allowable to eliminate both the white Stern and Masthead Lights and instead use a single "all around" light which must be visible for 360 degrees. For the record, I plan on eventually removing my present original bow light/chock (since I want to install some kind of anchor roller guide) and replacing the red/green light with two single red and green "Side Lights" mounted on the sides of the flybridge. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

Replaced mine at West Marine.

I can tell that somebody's been studying for a test... should I be calling you CAPTAIN Frank yet? Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]

Frank: Maybe Al will chime in here but I recall a post he made (couldn't find it quickly) where he mnetioned that he found out "the hard way" that the masthead light had to be 48" above the red/green lights. At the time I assumed that he had mounted his side lights on his flybridge and that his masthead light was in the original location. Al? Mike Ford

Mike... Thanks.. I forgot that detail, but believe you are correct, which means I might be mounting mine on the top frame of my flybridge, ahead of and below the existing anchor light. Sean... Yes, I took the courses, and passed the tests about a month ago. I am now getting confirmation of my sea time and assembling the package of info I need. Actually, I have to go back to CG Group Boston to file my papers, since I already have a Launch Operator's license from them, and the new license is really an upgrade of that. Lots of paperwork... I am sure Frank P will confirm that. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

Yes it is alot of paper work but not so bad in the big scheme of things. I hate paper work and I did it so if I can, anyone can. The spec. for the masthead light is one meter abve the side lights . On my boat it is nowhere near that high since I have the pulpit, so the side lights are on the bridge. Not sure if it was that way from the factory or if it was an option but that's the way it is and I'm going to leave it that way until I get popped for it. So far they have bigger fish to fry.

I removed mine (and still have the old one but it's corroded too) and replaced it with a spotlight. Put the new mast up on the radar tower. But now I'm thinking of moving the spotlight because there's too much reflective glare with it in front of me. Does it make a big difference when you install it behind you ? Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA

My bow lights are on the side of my pulpit. So my masthead light is one meter above the side lights. Buzz buzzk 1988 Bertram 33 FBC Buzz Off Morehead City, NC

My side lights are also mounted on the pulpit. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

I contacted Perko and found out it was a custom part they made just for Bertram and no longer make or have. The light fixture itself is still available but the base is not.

I don't know if the Masthead light I removed from my boat was original. It may have been made for Bertram but mine was nothing really special unlike some Bertram parts. I found a very close replacement but it may not have been made my Perko, I don't remember. Buzz buzzk 1988 Bertram 33 FBC Buzz Off Morehead City, NC