Blue Sea 8371 Water Resistant 8 Position Panel

The Blue Sea Systems 8371 is a water resistant 8-position panel in black, horizontal mount, rated IP66 and CE marked.

IP66 means the panel withstands water thrown at it by heavy seas rather than only spray, which is the difference between a flybridge panel and a cabin one. Protection comes from several directions at once. ON indicating LEDs are embedded in the Contura switches themselves rather than fitted beside them, so there is no separate opening to seal.

Each push button circuit breaker wears a waterproof boot, and a watertight mounting gasket seals the panel to whatever it is fitted into. That gasket matters most. Without it water goes around the front of the panel and in behind, which is where an otherwise sealed panel fails.

It is ignition protected, which is the specification that matters on gasoline powered boats. A switch arcing in an enclosed space near fuel vapor is a real hazard rather than a paperwork detail, and an unprotected panel has no business in that position. Explore more marine electrical panels.

• IP66 withstands water thrown by heavy seas
• LEDs embedded in the switches, no separate opening
• Gasket stops water going in behind the panel
• Ignition protected for gasoline powered boats