Cleaning up dash, port side, electronics mounting.

[Airslot]

This weekend I removed everything from the port side dash, where my radio and DF were. It was previously covered with a black textured contact paper. I have removed it all and am filling in about 25 holes that have been drilled there over the years. I'm going to recover that area with some rubberized shelf liner that will be glued down. I want to drill one large hole near the back of that area that will have 6 wire bundles running into the cabin. I figure an 1&1/4" hole should handle the wires and be able to pass all the connectors. My initial thoughts are to glue down a 1/2" long piece of 2" PVC pipe to keep water from draining into the cabin. My question comes in in this area. Anybody have a different idea on how to keep water out of the cabin when it rains on the dash?

Airslot

ps There will be a Furuno 600L and my VHF radio mounted on the right side of that area. Have no idea where I'm gonna stick the radar display.

[fillet1]

Maybe a clamshell fitting? You could seal it with silicone.

I dont know if I have seen any rubber bushings to fit an opening as large as you want. That would do the trick though. Also, instead of the pvc you could install a thru-hull fitting.

[cliffpaul2]

I just removed my old liner too. *Anyone know where to find the replacement rubber?

[reelapeelin]

Airslot...has that hole really gotta be that big...?...smaller is better in this case...what's diameter of biggest plug that's gotta go thru...?...can you live with just big enough to pass that one thru, then feed the rest...?...they make a gromet that allows wires from computers to pass thru desk- tops...if you find the right one it might work for ya...

Hope this helps... :D

[Blue_Runner]

Cliffpaul,

I borrowed MJ's idea about covering the driver's dash with starboard. I used 1/4", but I think he might have went with 1/2 or 3/4. I used 1/4 cause it was cheaper, easier to cut and afforded the most room once mounted. I don't have pics of my work yet, but I'll bet MJ would be excited to post a pic of his again!

Heck, I even left the old black liner in place. I just sanded it off around the edges so it wouldn't show.

You can get the starboard on eBay. It aint cheap though.

[Veeder]

Airslot,

How did you remove the contact paper without dinging up the dashboard?

[reelapeelin]

Veeder...Try some Goo-Gone or Goof-Off...stuff is amazing at removing sticky paper...

[chumbucket]

I peeled that stuff off the top of my console using a heat gun and plastic scraper, then Goo-Gone afterwards. There was a ton of holes drilled from previous owners for various electronics and such. So, I covered everything with a slab of Starboard, then fresh holes for the compass and new electronics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/bospa/wellcraft_4.jpg

[reelapeelin]

Chum...THAT is a great console... 8)...complete package and well done...tidy, as they say across the pond...luv that wrap-around grab-rail... ;)...

Nice job... ;D

BR...wish I coulda found 1/4" Starboard when I did mine....where'd you get yours?...

[macojoe]

I don't have a port side dash in the 75 *:'(

I have had to come up with a different idea. I still have to clean up the holes in this area.

http://www.syncboard.com/users/macojoe/images/boat dash.jpg

[Airslot]

I got the old paper off with a heat gun and razor blade. The dash under it was in bad shape due to all of the olf holes. I filled the holes with Mar-Glass and it came out really nice.

The new hole has to be off decent size to run all the wires through. I'm not as concerned about the largest connector per say so much as the sixth one that has to pass all the other wire bundles. Furuno 600L has 2 pin power, 10 pin triducer, and a siz pin data cable. Radio has the antenna wire, power cable, and a 7 or 8 wire Nmea bundle. Lotta wires thru one hole. I found a "scupper valve" that I think will work nicely to pass everything thru. Clamshel may work as well.

The reason I didn't use starboard is that it is slicker than goose poop and I like to leave a few things up there and want them to stay put.

Airslot