I have a 2010 175 Sport and would like to add a flag to the back. My first choice would be a stainless pole that would just drop in the light mount. Do any of you know where I can get one of those? I really don't want to add a mount to the back of the boat. Any Suggestions?

Rick

Not a direct answer to your question, but if you go another route, I've heard nothing but positive comments about the original swiveler from folks who have them... http://originalswiveler.com/

 

The only problem with that is that I don't have any rails to mount it to. The 175 sport does not have rails.

I will be looking more at the Taylor Made surface mounts. I didnt think about the stress that the light mount would take. Definitely don't want to cause any problems.

Thanks for the info guys!

Rick

 

I second the recommendation of original swiveler products. They make a mount that could be easily installed on the transom.As for the pole light idea, I have seen flag clip kits to attach a flag to the light pole but have not seen a flag pole to fit in the socket. Might be able to find one though.

 

i tried using a flag that mounted on the stern light pole...did not like that set up....the stress placed on the light pole and socket caused the socket mounting screws to work loose over time and the light pole never fit as tight into the socket as before the flag was added....this caused the stern light to cut out once in a while due to the loose fit of the pole in the socket....not good when you are camping on the boat overnight......i ended up having to replace the socket and light pole.....then i installed a heavy duty SS flag pole and SS base on my transom made by Taylor Made and i am very happy with the looks and the performance of this set up.....

you can see the flag in my sig pic.....

cliff

 

I had the flag pole that went in the light socket on the previous boat (210SEL). Heck, I might still have it in the garage. I'll look some day (sorry, holiday stuff will take my attention). I didn't like it, though. The pole was tall enough that the flag flapping while underway wiggled the pole out (on one occasion, I lost it and the flag). Of course, I didn't go slow usually. Other times, I was always worried about it being lost. Too much worry for something so small. I eventually tied the pole off with a dock line to a cleat while underway, so I could stop worrying so much. I went to the flag attached to my Bimini pole and liked it MUCH better. I have pics of each setup if you're interested.

 

id be interested to see the Bimini pole setup if you have ime to post a pic or two

 

Here is what I went to. I liked it a lot better. I cut off a dowel rod and drilled holes in it. I put zip ties through the holes around my bimini pole. I really liked this setup. Later on, I painted the dowels black to match the canvas and look a little more finished.

Here is the light socket flag pole with the dock line tying it down. I don't remember for certain what I tied the line to, I think it was just the thumbscrew end that went through the flag grommet. I always worried about losing the whole setup (after the first time) every time I put it up. I'll see if I still have the pole in the garage. I think I do.

Any questions, just ask!

 

Here is what I went to. I liked it a lot better. I cut off a dowel rod and drilled holes in it. I put zip ties through the holes around my bimini pole. I really liked this setup. Later on, I painted the dowels black to match the canvas and look a little more finished.

Any questions, just ask!

Cool idea Matt. Is that removable or is the flag threaded down over the dowel? Looks like to "take down" the flag you'd have to cut the zip ties?

 

I have been using the original Perko flag pole base with a Perko light pole I modified by putting a black ball on the end and adding Charlevoix clips. Although I have not had any problems with stress on the base fitting, I have been concerned about losing the flag and pole overboard in a strong wind. That is because the base and pole use a friction collar, rather than a threaded one.

Perko makes a heavy duty light pole base which has metal female threads, with a matching threaded collar on the accompanying light pole, and the required hole in the deck matches up with the existing hole for the original base. The swiveler sounds like a good idea, except I have a few flags of slightly different sizes, and the Charlevoix clips can be slid up or down the pole so I can use different flags. Also, changing the light pole base avoids the need to add another fitting to the transom area, and to drill another set of holes in the deck.

 

Thanks for all the information guys! Thats why I love this site. I am going to keep looking and may end up just adding the base to the back step. I don't want to have to worry about it going anywhere while underway. Thanks for all the ideas.

 

The dowel is threaded through the flag end.

Yes, if you can't undo the zip ties (with a knife or other pointed instrument), you'd have to cut them and replace.