I didn't realize you had the motor/gears overhauled, etc. I still have my old control box and am not familiar with your replacement. I do know there are two, separate solenoid relays inside the box that kick in depending on which way you run the toggle switch. Could be one of the two has some
corrosion or has seen better days. When I was
cleaning up all my connections after having the motor/gear unit overhauled last year, I went ahead and replaced both of them. They were inexpensive, std.
electrical components.
FWIW, my control box is located under a settee not far from the base of the
mast. When I first got the boat, there was a fair amount of leakage around the
mast partners and it resulted in some
corrosion around the control box wires. Eventually I stopped the leaking & cleaned up or replaced wires. It sounds like my box is more accessible than yours, however.
Coincidentally, I took possession of my Bristol from NE Boatworks, just down the road from Hinckley in Portsmouth.
Good luck with resolving your Hood Stoway mystery, and say hello to Eric for me should you contact him.
Dan