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Running Lights dead
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 9:59 am
by tom7219
I have an 85 Mac 25 with worn out running lights. The lenses are severely faded and the screws so corroded that getting the lens off was difficult. Does anyone know where I can buy replacement lenses and the screws that holds the lens assembly on? Or buy replacement lights that will bolt right onto the Mac 25's light mounts. The closest I can find are by Hella - has anyone used these for this model boat?
An alternative would be to tie a flashlight onto the stern rail and have my wife ride on the bow with a portable light. So far, she's not too keen on this.....
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
Re: Running Lights dead
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 10:28 am
by Tomfoolery
What kind of lights are the originals? The

came with the ubiquitous Aquasignal Series 20 surface mount lights. You can still get a new 20 pt bi-color bow light for $50 from West Marine, and probably cheaper elsewhere.
But the 12 pt white stern light is not made any more. I replaced mine with a Perko 2-mile stainless unit for $36. Being new, it's waaay brighter than the old one with the yellowed, crazed lens. And it's certified for both sail and power boats (the angles at which it loses intensity when heeled are much greater for sailboat certified lights, just so you know).
https://www.wholesalemarine.com/perko-s ... -9350.html
Be aware that there's also a chromed brass version of the stern light, for more money, but they look the same.
Since the bi-color bow light was so old and tired, I replaced it too, with the matching bicolor from Perko. Also sailboat rated, and waaaay brighter than the original.
https://www.wholesalemarine.com/perko-s ... -9352.html But you can still buy the power boat (only) rated Aquasignal light if that's what you want, and assuming that's what came with it.
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/aqua-sig ... cordNum=19
Oh, and handheld white flashlights aren't legal for a boat that size. New nav lights are a one-time investment, and will make you and everyone else on the water safer. And keep the admiral happy for not having to do the figurehead holding the lantern thing.

Re: Running Lights dead
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 12:17 pm
by LoHo
Just so you know, my experience was that the original poor wiring job was complicated by owner improvements to the point that it was almost unworkable. I just used the old wires to pull modern wires, and then replaced any questionable lights with the modern version. For some reason having all of the lights work on the circuits they are marked on the console makes me happy. I might be safer, too, although there isn't a lot of boat traffic in my driveway.
Re: Running Lights dead
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 12:52 pm
by tom7219
Thanks for the feedback. I didn't want to take the time to install a new type of running lights, so went with the aqua line. They may not be as bright, but they fit the mounts perfectly.
The wiring on my boat was also added to haphazardly. The back of the fuse panel looked like an explosion of wire. The running lights circuit had a half dozen wires added and the wires for the cabin lights have been spliced into multiple times - these are visible through the various cabin access panels. It was easier to wire in a new mini fuse panel for the most important electronics. The marine radio, depth finder and running lights. This winter I am going to rewire everything. For now, the Mac 25 is happily staying at a marina while the trailer is being worked on.
Again, thanks for the suggestions.