[Dark14ry]

Hey everyone, I just bought my 1st boat and was excited to see Mariah has a strong following and an actual owners club, where I can turn to as a 1st time boat owner.

My 1st question for you is probably really basic, but because I have never owned a boat, it's something I don't know.
On my instrument panel, I have 6 rubber coated switches on each side of my steering wheel. I need to replace them because it rubber has become "gummy" if that makes sense. If you push in them, the rubber will pretty much leave resin on your fingers.
I don't even know what these switches are called for me to look them up on the parts retailers page.

Can someone help a 1st timer out? Thanks

It's a ROCKER SWITCH!!! Ok now can someone tell me, are these something that can easily be swapped out?

[csterner]

Yes, the rocker portion of the switch is super easy to change. The switch is the part underneath your dash with the wires connected to it, and the actuator is the part that you need to replace. I just replaced all my actuators last year, and it is really easy. The first thing you need is a tool to release them that looks like this....

The tool slides underneath the actuator and just pops right off. Then just snap the new one in place and you are good to go. There are several types of actuators out there. You can get them screen printed or just look for ones that are already labeled. Some actuators are not lit, so at night you really can't see what the switch is for. So make sure that you get the same kind as you had or better. Take an actuator off and see if your switch underneath has 1 lite or 2. This will tell you what kind of "lens" to get in your actuator.(ie, is there only a small lens on the bottom or one at the bottom and another on the top for the lite underneath to shine through)

As far as where to get them....try eBay. There are always a bunch on there.




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[ColoradoDiablo]

Chris hit it right on the head.
The actuators are super easy to change and will definately improve the look of your dash panel.

[csterner]

By the way, here is a link to the thread I did when I redid my switches. Not sure if there is anything that is helpful in there or not. But it is a night and day change to your dash by replacing the actuators.

Almost finished with dash

[Dark14ry]

Chris,
I checked your link and the pictures are exactly what I was talking about. Thank You so much......

The ones you installed are the same ones that I have on my boat that need replacing.

Do you knw what causes them to melt/rot? is it just age and wear?

[csterner]

Your very welcome bud. As far as what causes it, I am assuming just being open to the sun. My boat has been a south florida boat since birth until we bought it so the sun here is brutal on everything. That is what I think caused mine to get tacky like yours did. I started covering my dash when we go out and are at anchor or beached. Of course, when we get new friends coming on the boat, I always remove the towel. Gotta show off the Mariah!