new dash layout

[phatdaddy]

bought a new gps/bottom machine and would like to flush mount it on dash. first shot is of existing one, second one is a mock up. i was going to get a new gang switch panel that was smaller, but then i priced them. trying to use what i have.

any thoughts?

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo214/gls216/imagejpg1_zpsb26b7e04.jpg (http://s377.photobucket.com/user/gls216/media/imagejpg1_zpsb26b7e04.jpg.html)

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo214/gls216/imagejpg2_zps2cbdbcdc.jpg (http://s377.photobucket.com/user/gls216/media/imagejpg2_zps2cbdbcdc.jpg.html)

[bradford]

I'm right handed and would prefer the switch panel on the right hand side. Also would put the gauges across the top with the tach on the left as you would read,(left to right) the tach being most looked at, plus would it occupy the space better in the space over the bottom machine. Then water pressure, temp, volts, and finally hour meter. Just my two pennies, not trying to totally pick apart your set up. Good pics on your photobucket!

[phatdaddy]

thanks bradford, i also am right handed, but my reasoning is i'll be touching the furuno more than anything , so it goes on the right. thats also why the tach is under it, but honestly i hardly ever look at the tach. i look at the temp & water pressure more than anything. i still might look for a smaller switch panel. thinking about putting the houmeter in the cabil also

[Striper80]

I'd put the hour meter in the cabin. No sense in wasting the space on the dash.

[awthacker]

I'm happy with this set up. My switch panel is down below the dash where your DAN sticker is... you can't see it on this picture. Yours wouldn't fit there, though. I think this one was about $100.

[awthacker]

Here's a better overview, before the gauges were installed.

Another thought is to pull the switches out of the panel and install them individually. They would take up less space... maybe run them across the bottom?

Just noticed that your bottom finder is lit up right now! You need to get a line down!

[phatdaddy]

i thought about moving the switches down to where you mentioned. the gang plate i have takes up a lot of space for only 6 switches, and i am only using 5.

i bet the guys at wellcraft in the 70's & 80's could have never imagined the type of navigation electronics we would on these boats.

[phatdaddy]

finally got everything in, what a mess behind the dash

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo214/gls216/imagejpg1_zps2874f837.jpg (http://s377.photobucket.com/user/gls216/media/imagejpg1_zps2874f837.jpg.html)

i know the bottom machine is a little crooked, but it's not clamped down, yet. i really liked the look of the wood dash, but the starboard was real easy to work with. if i like the layout, maybe i can get vic to make me another out of ipe.

[Genie Aye]

Nice job--that switch panel is huge.

I just got some starboard and did a new dash as well--all switchs run through a fuse panel.

Simple for sure--but everything is where I need it to be.

And I left enough room for a 7" screen when I update gps unit.

[phatdaddy]

thanks genie, yea that gang plate takes up too much room. i picked it up when century/cobia factory closed here. they had a great yard sale. it's hard to see, but there are breakers to the left of the switches.

side note i went with a furuno 1670 and am not too pleased. i was used to garmins and thought i had done my homework. i know furuno has awesome bottom machines and garmins are not that great. so i thought , how hard can a gps be to operate. what a pia to navigate. maybe i'll get used to it, only used it once or twice.

[SkunkBoat]

I had to get in on this action. Put my newer GPS-ff and VHF into the dash. I had saved that space years ago when I made the dash. Now I have to cover the hole from the old gps mounting bracket. I have some 1/4" black starboard but I might put a 2 switch panel there.
Also making a canvas cover for the dash. The template is pictured. Gotta talk the mother-in-law into sewing the seams....then it will get snaps to the dash screws.

oh, you might notice my new enclosure...:nice:

guess I'll post that in the "enclosure " thread.