Replacing a Southerly Swing Keel Gauge
If your keel gauge has failed, or you're upgrading an older panel, here's how to identify what you have and order the right replacement for your Southerly.
For the very first Southerly, Wema were asked to make a simple indicator to show the position of the keel. More than twenty years on, we still design and build the keel position senders and gauge panels for Southerly swing keels — and we still support owners of yachts of every age.
What hasn't stood still is the engineering. Today's sender electronics are completely different from the early ones, and the gauge panel has been through many iterations — each improving on the last. The current panel is the most refined and serviceable yet, and it's the one this guide will help you order.
01 / HOW IT WORKSTwo parts, working together
The system is in two halves. Down at the keel, the position sender reads the keel through its full range using a series of reed switches activated by a magnet — non-contact, with nothing to wear out. At the helm, the gauge shows that position as a lit point travelling around a 180° arc of LEDs on a round, IP67-sealed dial. Two illuminated push switches raise and lower the keel.
02 / THE CURRENT PANELWhat's in the latest design
180° LED arc gauge
A round dial with a 180° arc of LEDs. The lit point shows exactly where your keel is through its full travel — clear in daylight and at night.
IP67 & stainless bezel
An IP67 sealed gauge unit with a 316 stainless steel bezel and no exposed electronics — made for the marine environment.
Fully sealed — dust-tight, and submersible in up to 1 m of water for 30 minutes.
Two illuminated push switches
Raising and lowering is handled by two illuminated IP67 push switches — sealed, lit, and easy to find.
Portrait or landscape
Your Southerly model and where the panel is fitted determine the orientation, how many panels you have, and — on landscape panels — whether the switches sit left or right for port or starboard.
Position sender
The position sender reads the keel through its full range using reed switches and a magnet, and is made in a range of lengths for different spec yachts.
Modular spare parts
Gauge, switches, panel and sender are each available individually as spares — so you replace only the part that's failed.
03 / ORDERINGReplacing your gauge panel
What we need to identify it
To match a replacement panel we need to know which version you have, the panel's dimensions, and where it's fitted on the yacht. A photograph is usually the quickest way for us to identify exactly what you've got.
04 / ORDERINGReplacing your position sender
What we need to match it
Measure the length of your existing position sender — we build them in a range of lengths for different spec yachts — and tell us how many gauge panels it feeds, as that sets the sender's configuration. Please give us both.
05 / WIRINGWiring it up
Wiring is straightforward — four connections at the gauge, plus up and down to the two switches. Use 2.1 mm² (16 A) cable for the power and keel-control runs.
Send us a photo and we'll identify it
A quick photo of your panel, the length of your position sender, and how many panels it feeds is all we need to match the right parts to your Southerly.
FAQCommon questions
How do I identify which panel I have?
What do you need to supply a replacement position sender?
Can I replace just the gauge, or a single switch?
How long does a replacement take?
Browse the Southerly keel range, or send us a photo and we'll match the right parts to your yacht.