Bow Staff vs. Bowrider

[davlafont]

Anyone here fly a flag at the bow of their bowrider? How?

I think I've narrowed my options down to the following:

1) Replace the current combination bow light with a Perko 1218DPCHR, which has a 3/4" hole for a flag staff. Cost: $37
Pros: very neat, almost stealthy when no flag is used.
Cons: 1930's style does not match my modern runabout; footprint probably isn't the same as existing light, might not even fit the fore-aft space; costs 3x a plain socket (but not hugely expensive).

2) Remove the current combination bow light, install bi-color side lights, install standard flag pole socket in former combination light location. Cost: variable depending on side lights chosen.
Pros: Standard socket is timeless; very large selection of side light styles
Cons: Standard socket footprint not the same as existing light; probably even more expensive due to the large selction of side lights (there are some pretty cool ones out there)

3) Locate the flag staff elsewhere in a standard socket (ahead of the windshield? Port? Starboard?). Cost: $12
Pros: K.I.S.S. principle applied; low cost
Cons: Moves farther away from tradition

4) Do nothing. Cost: $0
Pros: Allows time to obsess over something else; leaves more time for motoring the boat
Cons: Eliminates opportunity to obsess over bow flag; less flags, less fun*


If anyone has been down this road, let me know what you've done.



*apologies to Six Flags Amusement Parks

 

[swift1]

Re: Bow Staff vs. Bowrider

I too was obsessing for quite some time over the type and placement of a flagpole, and ended up with option number 5 ? the stern mount placement. I first received a 30? mahogany flag pole as a Christmas gift, but I felt it would look out of place on my bowrider. I returned it and purchased a 24? Perko stainless steel model that looked sharp, but the marine store couldn?t get me a matching mount for some strange reason! So I ended up buying one that fits in the sternlight socket ? I?ll be trying it out this weekend to see how it fits and looks, so I may be back to obsessing over the flag pole issue again on Monday. If not, I?ll move on to something else like trying to justify to myself laying out big bucks for that extended swim platform I?ve been wanting to purchase for awhile. Or maybe a new marine stereo system, or if I get really carried away, thinking about maybe stopping one of these days to look at that 25+? Checkmate I see for sale at the side of the road under wraps every time I head up to the lake?

 

[JimS123]

Re: Bow Staff vs. Bowrider

When I was a kid Grampa's boat always had a bow pennant, and of course a stern flag. Years later when I particiapted in weekend Musky fishing (trolling)contests, EVERYONE flew a red pennant to signify they had one (a keeper fish) in the boat. Now flying bow and stern colors are a tradition in my family.

It MUST be in the middle....would look awkward off-center.

The Perko combination light is a classy addition, IMHO. If the holes don't line up, mount it on a piece of teak or mahogany and it'll fit in just fine.

The neatest approach is on your bow rail. Most bowforms have a pole fitting.

If all else fails, just put a small socket behind the bow light. In my case, for my tinny utility, all I had to do to get it to fit was build a small "deck" to accomodate it.

Here are some pics for ideas...

 

[riptide09]

Re: Bow Staff vs. Bowrider

I too was obsessing for quite some time over the type and placement of a flagpole, and ended up with option number 5 ? the stern mount placement. I first received a 30? mahogany flag pole as a Christmas gift, but I felt it would look out of place on my bowrider. I returned it and purchased a 24? Perko stainless steel model that looked sharp, but the marine store couldn?t get me a matching mount for some strange reason! So I ended up buying one that fits in the sternlight socket ? I?ll be trying it out this weekend to see how it fits and looks, so I may be back to obsessing over the flag pole issue again on Monday. If not, I?ll move on to something else like trying to justify to myself laying out big bucks for that extended swim platform I?ve been wanting to purchase for awhile. Or maybe a new marine stereo system, or if I get really carried away, thinking about maybe stopping one of these days to look at that 25+? Checkmate I see for sale at the side of the road under wraps every time I head up to the lake?

Be careful. I had a stern mount flag pole with the 16x24 flag. Brand new the Friday before 4th. July weekend. I installed it and started running across the lake around 35 MPH. All of sudden my Granddaughter came to me yelling "Grampy, Grampy, the flag came off and went in the water". Sure enough the pole and flag were gone. By the time I circled back and looked we could not find it. It was a real bummer. I was more upset that I didn't have flag for the 4th. than I was about the money loss.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Bow Staff vs. Bowrider

i went with #4. i'd like to fly a flag but my ride didn't come set up for such. if i could find the proper bow light w/ flag pole hole in it i'd consider flying one. but it hasn't been high on my list of thing to go out and look for i guess.
initially i wanted to fly a usps flag for the omaha chapter. i'm no longer a member so couldn't do that, but i'd still like to fly and AristoCraft flag. but like i say, unless i just see the right mount for it via my bow light. i'm just not gonna bother...

 

[JimS123]

Re: Bow Staff vs. Bowrider

Be careful. I had a stern mount flag pole with the 16x24 flag. Brand new the Friday before 4th. July weekend. I installed it and started running across the lake around 35 MPH. All of sudden my Granddaughter came to me yelling "Grampy, Grampy, the flag came off and went in the water". Sure enough the pole and flag were gone. By the time I circled back and looked we could not find it. It was a real bummer. I was more upset that I didn't have flag for the 4th. than I was about the money loss.

All my flagpoles and mounts are drilled and I use a fastpin to secure it. The pole can't come out. Bowforms have a hole drilled and tapped on the inside. A thumbscrew will hold the pennant staff in place.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Bow Staff vs. Bowrider

I too was obsessing for quite some time over the type and placement of a flagpole, and ended up with option number 5 ? the stern mount placement. I first received a 30? mahogany flag pole as a Christmas gift, but I felt it would look out of place on my bowrider. I returned it and purchased a 24? Perko stainless steel model that looked sharp, but the marine store couldn?t get me a matching mount for some strange reason! So I ended up buying one that fits in the sternlight socket ? I?ll be trying it out this weekend to see how it fits and looks, so I may be back to obsessing over the flag pole issue again on Monday. If not, I?ll move on to something else like trying to justify to myself laying out big bucks for that extended swim platform I?ve been wanting to purchase for awhile. Or maybe a new marine stereo system, or if I get really carried away, thinking about maybe stopping one of these days to look at that 25+? Checkmate I see for sale at the side of the road under wraps every time I head up to the lake?

My 19 footer has a 30" flagpole mounted center aft. Looks fine to me.

 

[davlafont]

Re: Bow Staff vs. Bowrider

Don't get me wrong; the centered aft flag pole is a given. I have on order both a US Yacht Ensign (for normal daily display) and a US National Ensign (for "occasions") for that position of honor.

I have no bow rail to clip to. I like the idea of a minature deck, but the shape of the bow just doesn't support it:

photo courtesy of BoatTest.com http://www.boattest.com/oem/boat-tes...4&p=0#OverView

I just wish there was a larger selection of combination lights with mounts beside the one Perko I referenced. And thanks for sharing your bow flag pics; they help to rule out #4!

 

[davlafont]

Re: Bow Staff vs. Bowrider

i went with #4. i'd like to fly a flag but my ride didn't come set up for such. if i could find the proper bow light w/ flag pole hole in it i'd consider flying one.

Google Perko 1218DPCHR and you'll find several sources. It might fit in with your AristoCraft's looks!

 

[JimS123]

Re: Bow Staff vs. Bowrider

Don't get me wrong; the centered aft flag pole is a given. I have on order both a US Yacht Ensign (for normal daily display) and a US National Ensign (for "occasions") for that position of honor.

I have no bow rail to clip to. I like the idea of a minature deck, but the shape of the bow just doesn't support it:

photo courtesy of BoatTest.com http://www.boattest.com/oem/boat-tes...4&p=0#OverView

I just wish there was a larger selection of combination lights with mounts beside the one Perko I referenced. And thanks for sharing your bow flag pics; they help to rule out #4!

With a little ingenuity, I'm sure a nicely designed piece of teak or mahogany could be fitted to enhance the bow, and just be large enough to enable bolting on a socket.

Look at my bowrider pic again. The teak strips are an add-n.