Chart Light and Bow Hatch

[rcornejo]

Hello Everyone,

I was hoping that someone would be able to guide me regarding two items on my 1997 28 TE. I am going through the boat and replacing all the items I feel needed attention and discovered two things I want to address but don't know where to buy them.

First, the chart light that came with my TE is no longer working. There are a ton on the Internet but I was trying to keep the style of the Albin. Has anyone replaced theirs? If so, where did you find yours?

Secondly, my hatch on the front of the bow is leaking. Does anyone know if I can replace the rubber around the hatch to address that? If so, where I can buy that?

Thanks again for all your help.

Roland

[DougSea]

I replaced my chart light with a nice LED version that I thought was in keeping with "the look". I bought it a Defender. It has both white and red LEDs and the gooseneck is a little longer and easier to adjust so I think it's a great improvement.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... id=1318472

My forward hatch also leaks and I thought of replacing the gasket but now the hatch itself has cracked. I think 13 years of UV has just been too much for it and I'll be replacing it this off season. Defender can help you there as well.

BTW - a white "Tall Kitchen" garbage bag will slide snuggly over the hatch and doesn't look bad...not the best repair but at least my v-berth stays dry and it holds up well when underway. I believe I'm using Hefty drawstrings...

[rcornejo]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for the information. I noticed that the base on that light is much larger than the one that came with the Albin. How does that look? Did you install it in the same spot as before?

Roland

[DougSea]

I installed it in the same location. I think it looks much nicer than the stock light. I'll try and take a picture tomorrow.

[rcornejo]

Thanks for your efforts to help. If you can, will you send the picture to my email address rcornejo@satx.rr.com. I would really like to see how the light looks.

Thanks,

Roland

[DougSea]

Thanks for your efforts to help. If you can, will you send the picture to my email address _AT_.rr.com. I would really like to see how the light looks.

Thanks,

Roland

I got down to the boat but forgot to bring the camera back with me! I'll try and post a couple of shots this weekend.

[rcornejo]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for helping me out. I am curious to see what it looks like.

Roland

[DougSea]

Roland,

Sorry this took so long but I finally got the pictures of the new light and uploaded them!

Here you go:

Overall.jpg

WhiteLight.jpg

RedLight.jpg

Base.jpg

[RobS]

Doug,
Cool light - especially the red, did it set the mood? Does it come with extra mirrors for the cabin?
I thought you may have forgot how to post pictures as I'm still waiting for Part II of Sonny goes to Newburgh

[DougSea]

Rob - to really "set the mood" I break out the big guns - the new LED lights I added to the sides of the pilot house. Check these out:

Pilothouse - White.jpg

Pilothouse - Red.jpg

Nice, huh?

Seriously, these lights are awesome and the install was very simple. I have them wired to my overhead light so one switch controls them all.

And yes, I've been lazy... I'll get the rest of the voyage posted soon!

[rcornejo]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for the pictures. I ordered the light from Defender but it arrived damaged. I am going to call the company tomorrow and see what I can do to get it exchanged. I noticed yours has a red light. Looking at mine, I noticed that it has a toggle switch but only goes one way. How do you get the red light to come on?

Roland

[DougSea]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for the pictures. I ordered the light from Defender but it arrived damaged. I am going to call the company tomorrow and see what I can do to get it exchanged. I noticed yours has a red light. Looking at mine, I noticed that it has a toggle switch but only goes one way. How do you get the red light to come on?

Roland

Hi Roland,

The switch should be a three position, red-off-white. I checked the link that I had posted above and that is for the correct, bi-color, light. You may want to double check before you exchange it that you have the right one.

[rcornejo]

Hi Doug,

Called Defender today and they are shipping another one out to me. I asked about the switch but the person I spoke to did not know how to turn the red light on. I looked at the package and it clearly said that it is a bi-clolored light. I may have not pushed hard enough on the switch. Doug, I noticed yesterday that one of my bolsters on my boat was tearing. The vinal is very hard due to sun damage, so sewing it may not work. Do you have an idea on where I can buy some new ones that will work on our boat?

Roland

[Russell]

Roland: If you look under the heading "Links, featured sites and interesting information" you will find bolster replacement and in that section is a post by Steve Starrett of Bristol Cushions that made the original bolsters. If you do not have a local upholstery shop he can send you replacements. Currently I am using a local upholstery shop to redo my bolsters. I am not sure how yours are attached but mine were put on with screws from inside the coamings that rusted and broke over the years. There is no way to reach the back side at the transom so I purchased aluminum mounting clips like those used on Shamrocks. They can be pop riveted in place and the bolsters can be slipped on and off the clips and stored out of the weather. If it works well I will post pictures and supplier information.

[rcornejo]

Hi Russell,

Thanks for the advice. I will see how mine are set up. Do you happen to know how they put those in on the 97TE? I will call Steve at Bristol and see what they have now that will work. Please post some pictures when you get yours done.

Thanks again,

Roland