The original buttons were looking a bit tired and the panel just seemed to be a type/grade of wood that did not varnish well. I couldn’t look at it anymore, and this was one of those “optional” projects. So I decided to source a new panel and buttons to make the helm more spiffy for Rachel. She is usually at the helm when we are sailing while I take the role of sail trimmer, line management, rigging adjustment, etc.
We only have 4 helm buttons on Skyward: Anchor up, anchor down, bow thruster on/off switch, and a bow thruster indicator light. Some day, I will install switches for the deck light, the spreader lights, the anchor light, nav lights and steaming light.
I started this project by researching which buttons to purchase. Looking at other HR helm panels on Yachtworld and on other blogs, I determined that the buttons were industrial buttons which are Eaton M22-style. In the picture below, the actual button (left) is a two-piece item with a male part that is inserted from the front of the panel and then a spinning nut on the the back. The electrical connections are also modular and click into the backside of the button. It is a simple system.
I was going to order these outright, but then I decided to purchase them from Ludvig at HR Parts. There was a part of me that thought perhaps HR customizes the buttons, so that’s why I bought from HR Parts. Ludvig had them to me in a matter of a few days, this helped me in the next step because I could study and disassemble the buttons to get dimensions.
In those conversations, Ludvig told me that they do not provide helm panels, but he shared the name of the supply company that makes panels for all new HRs. They are Sikab based in Kristinehamn, Sweden. I worked closely with Patrik who was fantastic through the entire process. He shared that they provide 3 mm acrylic panels for all new Hallberg-Rassy’s and they etch the printing and lines from the backside. As the first step, I made a design drawing with dimensions for Patrik to load into his CAD program.
After Patrik sent me the final proof and I approved it, the new panel arrived in about 3-4 weeks. It isn’t cheap, but it looks nice. I couldn’t help but install the buttons right after I ripped open the packaging.
Patrik also shipped me a small piece of acrylic to test cut or drill for future needs. Here is the finished product for comparison against the original panel:
A future project will be to replace the Raymarine ST-6001 autopilot control head with a p70s and add a i70s display next to the autopilot control head. Unlike most HRs out there, Skyward is not much of a push-button sailing yacht, but we enjoy her just as she is for now.
The Loxodograph 