The pic tells most of the story. Was underway at about 3500rpms letting the oil come to temp and saw smoke coming out of the dash. This wire went to the navigation light or ancor light. I'm affraid that the wire melted other along the runners from the back of the boat to the dash, so I will be pulling the wiring out and inspecting and replaceing at least the boat is perfect though. Just this one wire!

Gosh, it sounds like you were lucky you caught it quickly. Glad you and the boat are OK.

I once had a 1967 GTO that was trying to start it self when I was standing in front of it with the keys in my pocket!! My wiring harness looked a lot like yours.