Trim switch / throttle control
 

First post on this site and this project I did fits the "boating on a budget" title of this section to a "T". I have an older 95 Nordic Sprint. Definitely not an Offshore Boat. I wanted the trim on the throttle like all the newer controls but didn't want to plunk down $700.00. So I made my own bracket and it works well. I also up-dated the look and made it semi-custom. You would think it’s a high dollar unit from the dock or another boat.

I don't have pics of the start or all the steps, but here is what I did.
First I stripped off all the black paint, sanded the stainless with 600 grit and then polished the levers. Here is a stripped throttle Vs. the polished shifter.
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...tn/boat017.jpg

Then I took some 1/4" aluminum and cut out a switch bezel.
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...tn/boat011.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...tn/boat013.jpg

Then I cut out some thin aluminum to replace the plastic covers. I had to do some final hand filing to get them to fit flush.
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...tn/boat014.jpg

Then I cut out some thin sheet stainless and used a wood template to shape a stainless cover for the stock plastic base.
I ran the wires for the switches inside a sheath down the back and over the front. You can barely see it. The switches are ground triggers hooked to two relays. I did not feel comfortable with 12volt power running through the throttle. This pic is before final cleaning and polishing. It turned out nice and total cost was about $30.00 and three days time.
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...tn/boat024.jpg

I wish I could have made the bracket fit flush, but I could not find thinner switches. So it resembels the factory Mercruiser Racing controlls. The white one with the Red switch mount that sticks out. Not the coolest throttle, but what do you expect for $30.00 :D
I did this project inconjunction with some new carpet and polishing some other things on the boat, seat bases, storage door frames, switch bezels, ect. The polished throttle looks at home now Vs. the ugly black paint and plastic that was there before.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j.../Easter020.jpg

Very nice, looks good.

That came out mint! Good job.

i like it. its something no one else will ever have! nice job!

I like it when people do there own projects and post them. Gives me ideas because I want to do that to my throttle.
Looks Great.

What kind of switches and from where are those?

I posted this in another thread on trim controls. $20 from Dana Marine for Gaffrig controls.

click here

If they were only for right hand controls. Thats why they are so cheap.

You must've missed.......they had RH available when I ordered mine.

I actually found them at Radio Shack. I could not find any small ones that were 12 volt rated. so that was another reason I went with relays and made the switch a ground trigger.

And to everyone else; thanks for the complements!