New Removable Instrument Panel - The Hull Truth

offshore3144 · 10-24-2004, 10:59 PM

Another week another boat project!!

A few weeks ago I finished the arch project in preparation for the new Furuno 1733C. It came in last week and after much deliberation I decided to do it right and get rid of all the bracket mounts and go with a removable face plate made out of starboard. Simple project right

WRONG. Well it turned into a full-full two and a half day project.
I had to build the frame for the face plate as well as the face plate for the instruments. I used some lockable marine grade cabinet hardware to hold the new panel in place, I also vented the back of the new frame to allow air to circulate through the instrument compartment. I also ran the cable and installed the Radome this weekend. Running the cable with the three conectors and a ground proved to be interesting but after putting shrink wrap around the connectors and pullwire
the cable was pulled with very little resistance. Pulling those 1/2" cables will definately test your determination!

Here are a few photos of the helm with the new instrument panel:
The black starboard panel was Tarnolds idea, we did his a few weeks ago and it looked so good thought I would give it a try on mine.The black is easier on the eyes and the electronics really look good when they are on. Notice the two black locking cabinet pulls they worked great one on front top and one on front right.

With the instruments in:

With the intruments removed:

Mark

Glen E · 10-24-2004, 11:07 PM

very nice - I did kinda the same thing about 2 years ago and have only found one thing that I would do differently: I used 1/2" starboard and after about a year it was starting to bow inward in the middle from the lack of strength due to the big holes cut in it. I recut it in 3/4 inch and it's much stronger now. I also found I can take the elec's off the boat with a few clicks for updates or security. I mounted a small radio shack flashing LED on the board below my iPod which gives the illusion of security system as it slowly flashes when switched on - works off two AA batts screwed to the back of the starboard.

offshore3144 · 10-24-2004, 11:17 PM

gesly,
Really nice !! I was wondering about the 1/2 myself. I ran two strips up and down for support.
Great idea on the led, I will have to give it a try. How long wil lthe batteries last when you use the LED's Mark

Glen E · 10-24-2004, 11:25 PM

Mark - the LED pack from Radio shack is neat :

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...D299&hp=search

In case this link does not work - part # 276-299
I put the batts in 8 months ago and they still work - I turn it on when I'm off the boat for dinner, at a overnight marina, etc

warthog5 · 10-25-2004, 12:02 AM

QUOTE: Notice the two black locking cabinet pulls they worked great one on front top and one on front right.

Yep those are made by T-H marine. It looks real nice.

I used the same latch's in a panel that I made.

This beat's the heck out of working thru a small hatch or 2 to work on stuff. Just remove the whole damn thing.

tarnold · 10-25-2004, 12:14 AM

Looks great Mark

auguste · 10-25-2004, 05:18 AM

Creative work from a great guy ! Looks good

silverg · 10-25-2004, 08:15 AM

Nice work. I've been kicking around a few ideas along these lines for my boat.

2020is · 10-25-2004, 04:34 PM

Hey man, on your way to the fish you may stop by and tackle a few of those projects on my boat if you would like. I hate to do it, but I would let you since you are such a nice guy.

Tiger Rag · 10-25-2004, 05:03 PM

Mark, that really turned out nice. I was wondering what your final cabinet would look like. Looks like you took your time and did it right.

What's you next project.....twin diesels, playstation 2, a chandelier and a blender

?! Man, that thing is sweet. I think we need to enter your boat on "Pimp my ride!"...but heck, I guess there's not much left to do.

Nice work!

auguste · 10-25-2004, 05:23 PM

If there is ever a Miss-Be-Haven-Too, Mark will have a design job . . .

offshore3144 · 10-25-2004, 10:50 PM

Sorry its taken me so long to responed Tough day at the office!!

Anyway This project is at the end of my list-------I think? Hopefully it will be done at the end of the week. 2020is Maybe we can work something out I raelly would enjoy to spend someone elses money for a change

I have lots ideas!!! Silverg THT is the place for the good Ideas Im always reading about ways to do things on THT.

Matt that was a funny show!!! How about "Ill Pimp Your Boat Baby" but the catch is all the boats must be owned by great looking ladies like the Pimp My Ride Show!!!!

August I have Auto Cad and we can design anything you want, Ill be up for it in a few weeks, by then my boat will be done.
Warthog5 I really like the hardware They really fit flush and gives the job a really finished look. Tarnold we have to get together and do some heavy duty training on the 1733C, let me know when you want to give one of our boats a spin so we can go to school on that manual.
Hopefully I will have some more photos by the end of this week of the complete job. There is light at the end of the tunnel! Mark