Overview

The Blue Sea Systems Contura Water Resistant 12V DC Panel is a slate gray switch panel range for controlling DC circuits in exposed areas of a boat. These panels are made for 12V DC and 24V DC systems and use ON-OFF Contura switches with ON-indicating LEDs built into the switches, giving the helm, flybridge, cockpit, or deck station clear circuit control without a bulky panel layout.

The range covers horizontal and vertical layouts with 3, 4, 6, or 8 switch positions. Each version is water resistant for above-deck exposure, including salt spray, rain, hose washdowns, and momentary immersion, which makes it a practical fit for open cockpit installations and other locations that see weather and washdown water.

Each configuration is completely wired and ready to install, with countersunk mounting holes and a watertight mounting gasket to help the panel sit cleanly against the mounting surface. The slate gray finish uses a two-part polyurethane coating, and the panel surfaces receive a Mil-Spec chemical treatment by immersion for corrosion protection.

Key features

• Available in 3, 4, 6, and 8 position layouts to match the number of DC circuits being controlled.
• Supports 12V DC and 24V DC electrical systems, with switch ratings of 20A at 12V DC and 15A at 24V DC.
• ON-OFF Contura SPST switches include embedded ON-indicating LEDs for quick status checks at the helm or cockpit.
• Water resistant construction handles normal above-deck exposure such as salt spray, rain, hose washdowns, and momentary immersion.
• Each switch position is paired with a panel-mount AGC/MDL fuse holder for fused branch circuit protection.
• Countersunk mounting holes and an included watertight mounting gasket support a clean, secure installation.
• Slate gray two-part polyurethane finish helps the panel blend with modern marine helm and cockpit layouts.
• Completely wired assembly reduces installation time compared with building a switch and fuse panel from individual components.

Variants

This Contura panel range is offered in horizontal and vertical formats with different switch counts. The main differences are the number of positions, panel orientation, overall panel size, and the included label set for each configuration.

The electrical format remains consistent across the range, with 12V DC and 24V DC support, ON-OFF Contura SPST switches, embedded ON-indicating LEDs, and panel-mount AGC/MDL fuse holders matched to the number of positions.

• 8262, 4 positions, horizontal panel. This version measures 3.75 in high by 5.25 in wide by 3.00 in deep and has a 45A panel cumulative rating, making it a compact choice for a small group of essential DC loads.
• 8261, 8 positions, horizontal panel. This version measures 3.75 in high by 9.37 in wide by 3.00 in deep and has a 90A panel cumulative rating, giving a wider layout for boats with more switched circuits in one location.
• 8054, 3 positions, vertical panel. This version measures 3.75 in high by 5.25 in wide by 3.00 in deep and has a 45A panel cumulative rating, fitting smaller vertical mounting spaces where only a few circuits need control.
• 8053, 6 positions, vertical panel. This version measures 7.50 in high by 5.25 in wide by 3.00 in deep and has a 45A panel cumulative rating, giving more switch positions in a narrow vertical footprint.

Installation and setup

The panel is intended for surface mounting in marine control areas such as a flybridge, open cockpit, secondary helm, or deck control station. The included gasket helps seal the mounting face, while the countersunk holes let the fasteners sit flush for a cleaner installation.

Plan the cutout and wiring space before mounting, since each version has a 3.00 in panel depth. The horizontal 4-position and vertical 3-position panels share the same 3.75 in by 5.25 in face size, while the 8-position horizontal panel uses a wider 9.37 in face and the 6-position vertical panel uses a taller 7.50 in face.

Electrical and system integration

These panels are for low-voltage DC switching and are suited to common onboard loads such as lighting, pumps, electronics accessories, and other fused branch circuits within the panel rating. Each switch is rated 20A at 12V DC or 15A at 24V DC, while the cumulative panel rating depends on the selected position count.

The built-in ON-indicating LEDs make it easier to confirm active circuits in low light or while operating at night. Because the panels use fuse holders rather than breakers, circuit protection should be matched to the connected load and wiring size during installation.

Use cases on board

This panel range suits boat owners and installers who need organized DC switching in a location that may be exposed to spray, rain, or washdown water. It is especially useful for refits where the goal is to replace scattered switches with a single labeled panel that looks consistent at the helm.

The smaller 3-position and 4-position versions work well for focused control zones, while the 6-position and 8-position versions suit broader helm or cockpit control layouts where several circuits need to be grouped together.