Keyswitch cover - a warning to others

[RickK]

I mentioned in another post that I broke down 2 weeks ago now and had to be towed in. The mechanic told me that the keyswitch was at fault.  Anyway, they changed out the switch and after I picked up the boat and towed her home, I realized that they had given me only one key so I went back Monday to get another. I talked to the guy that did the repair and he told me because my keyswitch is on the top of my console, facing up, rainwater/moisture is getting in the switch and causing it to fail - makes sense because I had to replace it about 5 years ago - failed on the water AGAIN.  He put a special "boot" on the key and told me to leave the key in the switch.  The boot covers the cylinder when the key is in so rain can't get in.  
Even though I've been lucky and no one has messed with my boat in the last 18 yrs, I really don't want to leave my key in the boat because my boat is not behind my fence/secured. A few years ago, my daughter's car was vandalized and she had some stuff stolen AND IT WAS PARKED NEXT TO MY BOAT.  I never leave anything in my boat worth attracting the attention of mischief makers - so as I said, I've been lucky.
Does any one make a little rubber cover that snaps around/covers key cylinders?

[JimCt]

Rick,  how about a spray can cover?  The kind that covers just the spray portion of the can, not the whole end of the can.  Failing that, there are all sorts of little plastic covers that come with grocery store items.  Keep an eye on the trash & maybe alert the Admiral as to what you're looking for.

[John Jones]

I'll keep an eye out Rick.  Regularly give the key switch hole a shot of Boeshield T-9.  Make it regular part of boat cleanup after a trip.  It will probably keep the switch from failing again.


http://www.boeshield.com/index.htm

[John Jones]

Sierra offers several marine key switch boots.  The dumb website will not let me paste the proper url.  Lots of javascript on the pages.

http://www.ishopmarine.com/ishop/jsp/As ... qPageNum=9

Expand "Ignition Switches" on the left and click on Cut-off Switch, then scroll to the bottom.

Hope this helps.

[RickK]

Bingo John - you are "DA MAN". 8)
Looks like all their switches are 13/16 - I think this is that an industry standard?  For the price, I guess I could order 1 and see if it fits.
Thanks man.

[John Jones]

I think it's pretty much a standard hole size but I think I saw two different thread pitches.

Good luck!

[Shine]

Growing up we had a 19' mako, the key switch was a constant issue.  
 
Placing the switch verticaly on the console is one easy fix, the key with a boot is another.

[GoneFission]

I agree with going vertical.  My 1980 CCP has the original key switch and it works fine, but is mounted in a vertical position.  Check it out - it's just under the "q" in Aquasport on the panel:

http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery ... 500/page/1

See ya on the water!

[Anonymous]

Just a little heads up on the key switch deal -- I don't like leaning the key in the boat either so we leave a key in it that has the boot but isn't the right key. The switch stays protected and it won't start the motor.

If your switch fails on the water you can do a couple of things to a carb'd motor to get them going.

First, try disconnecting the "kill" wire (black with a yellow stripe). You can disconnect it at the switch or the pack. The key will still probably operate the choke / primer and the starter. You'll just have to flood it to kill it.

Or disconnect the boat harness and jump the solenoid. Again, you won't be able to shut it off so be careful.

Just remeber, this is for an emergency. I'd hate to see anyone stuck out in open water.