CONTINUOUSWAVE

The combined sidelight lamp at the bow of my recently purchased 1986 17-footer is broken.

Q1: where can a new Boston Whaler classic combined sidelight lamp be purchased?

BACKSTORY:
I am a new participant in the forum. I just purchased a 1986 17-foot Boston Whaler boat with a 1990 Yamaha 90-HP two-stroke-power-cycle engine, a Yamaha 9.9-HP four-stroke-power-cycle engine, and a 1986 Road Runner galvanized trailer. The boat was set up for guiding in Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada in 1986, and it was use for guided angling from 1986 to 19898. In 1990 my buddy bought the boat with a new Yamaha 90-HP, and the boat has been in a storage garage since them. The last time the 17-footer was used was 2007. Everything that’s on the boat came with the sale.

Before purchasing the boat I had both engines checked. On the 90-HP engine the peak cylinder pressure was measured at 125, 130, and 135-PSI. A dealer said there was no scoring on the cylinders and they look "great." However, there is a loose wrist pin on the number-one cylinder. This dealer no longer services two-stroke-power-cycle engines. I will ask Vancouver Island University look at the engine to see what needs to be done to make it right before I put the classic 17-footer in the water. The peak cylinder pressure of the 9.9-HP engine was 150 and 160-PSI and is in good working order.







Since the photographs were taken I have I waxed the hull and topsides and used teak oil on all the wood.

The classic Boston Whaler combined sidelight lamp with chocks was re-introduced by Boston Whaler several years ago, and it should be available as an OEM part from a Boston Whaler dealer. There are also some aftermarket knock-off lamps available, but some purchasers were not happy with the quality.

A good dealer in the USA for Boston Whaler OEM parts is Twin Cities Marine in Wisconsin. I recommend you contact them for advice on obtaining the exact OEM part you need for restoration of the combined sidelight lamp with chocks.

ASIDE: The 1986 model year was really at the peak of the classic era for Boston Whaler boat production. At that time Boston Whaler was making a full line of great, classic boats with plenty of fine wood components. You certainly have a acquired a very nice example of that era.

The low-resolution images don't reveal much detail, but it appears that some or most of the wood interior was fabricated by someone other than Boston Whaler.

LOOSE WRIST PIN
Regarding the diagnosis from a dealer that the Yamaha 90-HP has a cylinder with a loose wrist pin: I believe that in order to repair a loose wrist pin--a pin that secures the connection of the piston to the piston rod--the engine would have to be substantially torn down to get access to that component. Choose the mechanic who will perform a repair like this with care. Using only OEM parts would also be advisable. A c.1986 two-stroke-power-cycle engine is now 36-years-old, and finding a mechanic with experience and skill with an older engine and finding the exact repair parts may be difficult.

The method for removal of a wrist pin from an outboard engine piston (an Evinrude) is demonstrated at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt_yK5d6a9w

Two specialized tools are used.

Thanks very much Jim for all the information, much appreciated.

Hopefully this photo is better.

A second dealer recommendation is Nauset Marine.

Jason/Justin in Parts are great.

Here is the light assembly.
https://www.nausetmarine.com/boston-whaler-parts/lighting-and-electrical/light-assemblies/500-5009-classic-bow-light/

How do you diagnose a loose wrist pin with the engine not taken apart?

Looks like a good fishing boat.

Con

Thank you Phil T for the heads up.

I am not sure how they test for a loose wrist pin. Dealer did a leak down compression test #1 cylinder was loosing pressure quicker than others, they figured it was a loose wrist pin. My buddy is a Service Manager at a Yamaha shop - he told me you don’t know that till you pull the head off.

Will be getting a second opinion.