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Windlass foot switch with covers

  • Thread starter Thread starter magnawake
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magnawake

magnawake

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Dec 4, 2010
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  1. OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
Hatteras Model
43' MOTOR YACHT (1984 - 1987)
My rubber switch covers are finally cracking so Ive been reading about how expensive those galley maid covers are. WOW !!!. Then I was figuring buying the whole thing with the hard covers. I have had troubles with passengers stepping on the switches on accident while motoring. Plus hard covers might had some sun protection too. Any ideas where to get the covers without cashing out a 401K? My system is a 12V.
 
Turn the breaker off when cruising!
 
Dan Mapes said:
Turn the breaker off when cruising!
Click to expand...

I thought about that but wondered if I needed the windlass quick what I would do. I never have used the nut on the top yet to lower but guess in case I lost power it would be a quick way to send the anchor to the bottom. I think the nut is the how your supposed to lower it anyway. I just use the foot switch very slowly in about 10-15 ft of water.
 
The only way I would use cover less switches is if they are installed vertically like hatteras did on some boats. And it that's why I had, I would probably relocate them anyway, they are a pain in the ... Toe when barefoot. :)

Defender is indeed a good source, for just about everything anyway. They re not expensive

As Dan suggested, turning off the breaker is a good habit. Problem is at sometimes the breaker is not in a convenient or easily accessed location.

Have you ever had moisture in the switch start hauling up your anchor in the middle of the night? It happened to me once...
 
Pascal said:
The only way I would use cover less switches is if they are installed vertically like hatteras did on some boats. And it that's why I had, I would probably relocate them anyway, they are a pain in the ... Toe when barefoot. :)

Defender is indeed a good source, for just about everything anyway. They re not expensive

As Dan suggested, turning off the breaker is a good habit. Problem is at sometimes the breaker is not in a convenient or easily accessed location.

Have you ever had moisture in the switch start hauling up your anchor in the middle of the night? It happened to me once...
Click to expand...

No, thank goodness no. I sleep in the v-berth while on the hook to get more ventilation and I can see the happenings outside just by rolling over and looking out the port hole. That would scare the devil out of me if it did. I'm going to buy some with covers just to keep moisture out and to avoid stepping on them. Just need to choose white or black.
 
Pate, when you change the covers, lower the switches and coat the exposed balsa core with a good dose of thickened epoxy.

Bobk
 
bobk said:
Pate, when you change the covers, lower the switches and coat the exposed balsa core with a good dose of thickened epoxy.

Bobk
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Yes indeed. Im going to hire a small monkey sized guy to help me dig out the soft bow wood from the inside and remove the windlass and service it as well. Dan, on 43 MY Freedom did an excellent job on his bow from the anchor locker. I dont know how he did it since he is a tall fellow.
 
It sucked.

As far as the switches go, I would say get an old bicycle tube and cut some circles out to replace the rubber and fagedaboutit. I found a vendor for the switches and bolted in new switches under the existing covers. So far so good.
 
Sounds good Dan, but I think that the rubber inner tube material will break down pretty fast with UV exposure.... Bobk...please enlighten us.. Walt
 
I had the same problem . Core rotten around the winch removed the winch fixed the roT did away with the foot pads installed a hand held remote.Glassed over the holes and put non skid over them. I just plug into it operate by hand. I could not stop the foot pedals from leaking. The foot pedals would get water in them and come on by themselves. I cut off the breaker it was in the rope locker kinda hard to cut on and off. Installed a new box and all new wires and breakers in the rope locker. The hand held remote plugs in at the back slope on the pulpit.There is also one mounted pernamentely on the bridge..I do not anchor out very much but now it works every time the girls want to go swimming.DARN THE FOOT PEDALS.
 
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Walter P said:
Sounds good Dan, but I think that the rubber inner tube material will break down pretty fast with UV exposure.... Bobk...please enlighten us.. Walt
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i AGREE The rubber will crack and leak on the new switches. Eaven the galey maid leaks . If you must use the foot pedals . Put holes in the push button so the water wont puddle. helps for a while..
 
WOW, I need Bill Nie, the science guy to splane that to me. Maybe after I drink my 2nd cup of coffee it will make sense.
 
There was a one liner about bicycle tubes being less susceptible to UV. I tried looking around and most of the rubber gasket material I found was in large quantities.

I have to believe there is something available in a sensible quantity that would beat the price of new switches, or new Galley Maid rubber covers.

It could be that a patch could be installed under the galley maid cover made out of something.
 
Dan Mapes said:
There was a one liner about bicycle tubes being less susceptible to UV. I tried looking around and most of the rubber gasket material I found was in large quantities.

I have to believe there is something available in a sensible quantity that would beat the price of new switches, or new Galley Maid rubber covers.

It could be that a patch could be installed under the galley maid cover made out of something.
Click to expand...

Instead of a bicycle tube, go to your local Motorcycle Shop and Buy a Heavy Duty Off Road Dirt Bike Tube. You can buy them online at places like Dennis Kirk, Motosport, Rocky Mountain ATV, chaparral racing, etc. I think a Tube is anywhere from $15 to $25 depending on the size. Not sure how a tube would work but if your going to try it this would work much better then a Bicycle Tube.

Tony
 
Maybe it's better to pay the price instead of trying to find an alternative. You may end up spending more time and effort. I bought 2 switch covers from GM in 2005 and they were 24.00 each.
 
Beckytek said:
Maybe it's better to pay the price instead of trying to find an alternative. You may end up spending more time and effort. I bought 2 switch covers from GM in 2005 and they were 24.00 each.
Click to expand...

The price is outrageous, but these covers are molded into a dome shape. You might not be able to get a flat sheet to conform well enough to make a good seal and then get water in the core.

Bobk
 
Rubber roof material would be a good alternative to the bike tire. Go to a building/roof supply store and ask for a sample.
 
Sounds like a lot of wasted time to save a few bucks. The price might be high but it's still only $50. The amount of work ant potential damage if it to save a few bucks makes no sense to me. I'm all for finding a deal but sometimes you have to pay for what you need.
 
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