What is this switch?

[billh1963 Member Find all posts View Profile Close billh1963]

While crawling around the boat (1997 CC25) last weekend I was inspecting under the gunwales. On the starboard side up under the gunwales, I spotted a toggle switch (with several blue wires) that looks to be factory mounted on a curved piece of fiberglass. I have never used this switch. The switch has apparently corroded from lack of use and I couldn't get it to move to see what it operated.

Anyone have any ideas?

[CC28_NJ Member Find all posts View Profile Close CC28_NJ]

Spreader lights?

[Bullish Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bullish]

If it is near the switch for the engine hatch, it is for your spreader lights.

[billh1963 Member Find all posts View Profile Close billh1963]

Okay...but I don't have spreader lights.

I guess I need to mount some!

Since the switch is wired would there be wiring in the hardtop ready for use?

[Bullish Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bullish]

Is there any way to follow that wire to see if it goes up to your hard top? Maybe the factory can tell you what they typically do with the wire when you don't have spreader lights.

[PurpleCedarPlug Member Find all posts View Profile Close PurpleCedarPlug]

I think that switch controls weither or not you want the lights under the gunwales on or off when you have your spreader lights on.

[Bullish Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bullish]

On my boat, once the switch on the dash is turned on for spreader lights, the under-gunnel lights stay on regardless of the position of the switch under gunnel. Again, on my boat, the under-gunnel switch only engages and disengages the spreader lights. The dash switch for spreader lights must be on first for the under gunnel switch to engage/disengage the spreader lights.

[billh1963 Member Find all posts View Profile Close billh1963]

Thank you for the replies. I'll change out the switch over Thanskgiving and see what happens!