Interesting red rear light??

63Electra

Seaman
Joined
Jul 20, 2019
Messages
51
I have a 1963 Texas Maid Electra. Its rumored to have been a Lake Patrol boat. My question is, why would they have a red tail light on the transom? Are there other boats that had this or was this something for a specific use? I know you guys are not mind readers or psychics but just curious if anyone had some insight. Old boat practices or what not.
 

Attachments

  • photo319299.jpg
    photo319299.jpg
    491.6 KB · Views: 3
  • photo319300.jpg
    photo319300.jpg
    717.3 KB · Views: 3

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,749
Is that a light or a reflector?
Have seen a bunch of boats from the 50's and 60's that had reflectors on them.
Probably a trailering disability thing ?

If its a light, then probably something for the "Electra" name ?

Does not appear to be in the same position in the 2 photos.
 

GA_Boater

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
May 24, 2011
Messages
49,038
Is there a bulb? I used to see those on farmer's wagons and they were just a reflector.

Zooming on the brochure pic, no reflector is shown. Your Electra had those added some time over the years, probably for extra trailering safety.
 

63Electra

Seaman
Joined
Jul 20, 2019
Messages
51
Could be a reflector I'll have to look. Havent actually got the boat home yet. It just strikes me as odd
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,029
Ayuh,...... Looks like a typical reflector somebody added,....
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,041
reflectors on boats were the equivalent of curb feelers on a Cadillac..... did they help... not really.... however they were a fad of the times.
 

H20Rat

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
5,204
reflectors on boats were the equivalent of curb feelers on a Cadillac..... did they help... not really.... however they were a fad of the times.

They sort of actually make a lot of sense for the time... I know my dad/grandfather probably never once had a vehicle with a working lighting harness on it. And if they did, the trailer lights were long gone from years of abuse. Putting a cheap reflector on whatever was on the trailer (tractor/vehicle/boat) was pretty common and was safer than nothing at all.
 

Ned L

Commander
Joined
Sep 17, 2008
Messages
2,268
Yes, ... looks like a reflector. ......... And the USGC would have something (not good) to say about it. Out on the water at night, if a light hits it and reflects what would look like a 'red light' that would be a big no-no. As it would be conflicting / confusing with the port side red light of running lights.
 
Top