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There are a couple weak links in the stock switch. Mine failed after less than a year, (replaced by Hobie under warranty). When I removed the old switch I discovered that the supposedly sealed wire nut connection inside the tank was severely corroded. I replaced that before replacing the switch and got the thing to work intermittently.
The bigger problem is that while the part of the switch that lives inside the tank is well sealed, the push-pull shaft that is attached to the nob is not. Over time salt water probably gets in to the switch itself and eventually causes a failure. I lubed the shaft on the new switch with dielectric grease in hopes that the grease would provide some sort of a water seal. An occasional squirt of WD 40 would also probably be helpful.
The guys at Hobie told me that a redesign is in the works but would not give any details. If they were asking my advice on what to do, I would recommend scrapping the push pull switch, which is easy to accidentally turn off. A sealed twist or plunger switch would be a better way to go. I would also lobby for moving the switch location to some place that is less likely to be bumped and switched off while reaching back for a rod.
Bob
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