Grady-White Popup Dash?

[rat_catcher]

This is probably a real simple question, but in relation to the 'popup' dash style on the Grady-White Express 330, does something hold the dash open? Is there a physical device that will stop it from closing when you crash down from a big wave? Also with the dash completely popped up, does that restrict visibility to the engine gauges at the very top of the dash?

Seems like a good idea in theory to be able to close the hatch and the electronics are then stored away safely, but in practice I am not sure whether it is truly a workable solution.

Thoughts? Experience?

[offshorebri]

It is on electric rams, the same type of things that hold up the back windows on a Jeep Cherokee that are gas.....Henriques uses them on their 30 footer...I don't see them giving out when crashing over a wave.....And yes they do begin to restrict visibility as you raise the pod up.........I noticed it at the AC Boat show.....The good thing is you really don't have to open the pod a the way to use it........

[ElyseM]

it's on an electric ram that could probably lift a grand cherokee. but it is far beefier than what is on liftgates.

you should have absolutely no problem with visibility to the engine gauges on the dash or out the front window. you don't raise the pod farther than the bottom of your mfd's -- unless you are working on the backs of them. i'm 5'5" and have no issues at all with sightlines and that's standing on the deck (no booster seat ). ron

[Red Sky]

I have this on my 305 Grady and love the feature. The ram is very heavy duty and I don't forsee a problem with it ever crashing down.

When running I just lift the console far enough to see my MFD's. I can then still see my gauges on the dash. If you're really short I could see it being an issue. Works for me just fine.

[Southern Hunter]

Same here on my Grady 305 Express....no problems with visibility at all. I've been in some pretty nasty seas over the last 2 years in mine as well, and it hasn't crashed down yet, the ram is pretty stout and I doubt that you will ever have any problems.

Red Sky.....do you have the 350's on your 305?

[Red Sky]

Originally Posted by Southern Hunter

Same here on my Grady 305 Express....no problems with visibility at all. I've been in some pretty nasty seas over the last 2 years in mine as well, and it hasn't crashed down yet, the ram is pretty stout and I doubt that you will ever have any problems.

Red Sky.....do you have the 350's on your 305?

No I have the 250's. The 350 wasn't released yet when I bought mine. Even if they had been I wouldn't have put them on. Now the 300 V-6 they're fixing to release would've been a different story.

[Southern Hunter]

Yea bro I here ya, I run the 250's on mine, but I've been dying to get some real world numbers on somebody with the 350's. The 300's I would have to say are probably the perfect match for the boat!!

[rat_catcher]

Thanks for all the replies.

[coconut 272]

I have a 330 Express and have no problem seeing with the electronics up. The set up is really strong no problem coming down from a wave.