Having a problem with locating the ignition switch for my mercury outboard. I have a bankes Chesapeake running a 40hp mercury. The ignition switch has about a 4ft pigtail on it but I literally have no where to mount the switch. The local marina installed it some time ago near the sliding rear bench seat but I ended up bending the key from crawling out the boat in that area. It is nearly impossible to lift and slide the seat to access the gas tank and battery. I guess it would be easier to explain with the aid of pictures. I thought about mounting the switch to the motor itself but that would leave the key even more exposed and subject to loss. I am really stuck, any ideas would definitely help . I will try and get some pics posted soon.

Jeff.

Why couldn't you mount the key right to the transom. Make a small box to mount the ignition swith in and a hinged cover to protect the key and ignition, kind of similiar to an outdooe electrical outlet.

Yeah that would work but i was just worred about flooding the box when in reverse in the waves. I always seem to have water dumping over the transom in that area.

On the Chesapeake the transom has a angled tray attachd to the transom allowing a box to be mounted but water is trapped there till it can dain thru the molded in drain tube

Steve thanks for the reply and of course your idea. I am ( after further review ) going to give it a try. I can get a waterproof single gang box from lowes with a hinged cover and pretty much place it anywhere but I thought about taking it one step further. I am going to pick up a folding seat and install it on the bench top so then I might be able to attach the box to the seat frame out of harms way.

Jeff.

I'm not all that familiar with modern mid range out outboards. My engines tended to be old iron. But couldn't you dispense with the key altogether and just put a "momentary ON" push button directly on your engine? I mounted one on the lower pan of an older Johnson. I had the electric start on one side and the deadman's switch on the other, worked for years. No key to ferget. That just left the drain plug.....

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Terry Desilets
http://www.branding-irons.biz
Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CustomBrandingIronsInc

Proud Father of a Marine

IN REMEMBRANCE OF MY NEPHEW:
Cpl. Ben Desilets - USMC
KIA 22 May 2007
Anbar Iraq

Terry;

I'm sorry for your loss Terry. My son was at Balad airbase ( Mortaritaville) for a tour of duty as their squadron rotated thru. I sleep good at night because of their sacrifices. You should be proud, I surely am.

With regard to the ignition. It is a Mercury 3position ignition switch so I am not sure if I could eliminate it completely. I use the choke position all the time so if I could get by without it I would jump at the chance. Having to remember the plug is hard ....lol.

Jeff.

Thank you! 5 years and it still sneaks up on me. My son is just about through college now, he wouldn't trade his time is service for anything. Give your Son a big thank you from a vet's Father!

I thought it might be a three position switch. On my classic boat I had a separate switch for the electric choke and then a push button start. I don't suppose you have a manual choke?

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Terry Desilets
http://www.branding-irons.biz
Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CustomBrandingIronsInc

Proud Father of a Marine

IN REMEMBRANCE OF MY NEPHEW:
Cpl. Ben Desilets - USMC
KIA 22 May 2007
Anbar Iraq

No, no manual choke .....I was down to the Tuckerton New Jersey show yesterday and got caught up in the new bigger boat storm ......might have to part with the bankes Chesapeake after the season is over this year .....along with a few motorcycles ....lol. The bankes crusader ain't cheap ....lol.

More of a low tech solution
Can the key be modified so it can be removed without turning off the ignition
You might need to check with a locksmith but I used to drive a ford that the key had worn enough to remove it while in the on position and I think chevy's had a particular nub you could grind off to get the same result

I might be able to modify the ignition in that way but I think the box idea is the way I'm going to go with it although my search for a box so far has not turned up anything I can use. Outdoor electrical boxes are not wide or deep enough. The search continues.