working on my dash ... what do you think??
 

i am getting ready to redo my console with new gauges, controls, etc ... i was initially going to use starboard to make new panels, but i thought i would use something thinner ... like sheet aluminum or stainless.

not sure if you can buy aluminum already anodized ? or will i have to epoxy prime and paint? would raw or just polished aluminum not stand up to the weather?

how about diamond plate?????

what about stainless ? would the glare be too much? it would match the grab rail on the console nicely.

what gauge or thickness should i use? many old holes will be covered up and also making a whole new panel for gauges, so it has to be thick enough not to bounce around.

lets hear some opinions ..

thanks

any ideas?

I wouldnt do diamond plate. I saw a boat online once with it and I thought it looked too home made.

I think the ss will always look spotty with water spots .

I know .060 thick aluminum is readily available anodized but not sure about thicker. If I were doing it I would want to go thicker to .080 (14 ga) or heavier although 060 would probably be just fine....thats just me.

I've seen some nice dashboards of clear plexi painted black on the backside...really looks good when done right...I would not use metal...unless you use the highest grade stainless, it could still rust...1/4" aluminum and then powder-coat would work...

thanks for the replies ..

rwilson .. i agree .. thought the diamond plate may be too "redneck", not that there is anything wrong with that:beer:
alum would work .. especially if i could find anodized ..

really dont want the work of priming and painting, or cost of powdercoating.

reelapeelin .. like the clear, painted plexi idea .. easy to work with, and paint the backside. would worry about cracking it when attaching it to the console, though..

what thickness of plex would help me avoid cracking?

Try the Lexan over the Plexiglass and don't go with the metallic stuff.
We had an issue with a bass boat and a tach seeking a ground, that caused a rewire job. To make the story short, when the motor was connected and not the boat power (lights, electronics, etc) it would back feed thru the steering cable and melt the wires.

I used a piece of scrap plywood that I sanded and stained and put about 10-12 coats of varnish on. It was cheap, easy to work with, and looks nice.

I've seen some nice ones made out of starboard...i decided to have mine made....found a guy over on classicmako.com that can make them to your design with a cnc machine....i designed it and sent the drawings and he built it exactly like I wanted.....even countersunk the switch locations and cut me gaskets for them...I will include a picture below....

If you want to use starboard....i found a store on ebay where this guy sells smaller pieces that may fit what you need....and it is pretty cheap and his shipping is free.... http://search.stores.ebay.com/dog-ra...saselZ12824986

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...c/IMG_1750.jpg

very nice.

Starboard or Lenx glass, you can get the glass colored already (more$$) and no have to worry about the paint getting old and peeling off that back.

NO metal, even the best SS its all so hard to maintain, and watch for corrosion. Never mind the glear

I'd go w/ 1/4" for this and just be careful when tightening down screws...no need to gorilla-torque 'em....

Glad to see Stuarbc showed up w/his beauty and contact info... that's REELY nice work...now if we could just talk him into some pan-head screws...

ha.....actually....those were just the screws that were already in the dash....i have replaced them with good screws and some galvanized washers with rubber gaskets....and I have filled in the open spot with a battery gauge....I just haven't taken any new pictures in a while...need to though....i will take some pictures this weekend and post them for you guys to take a look at

That is SWEET!

Hello guys, I am the guy who made sturatbc's panel. I am now a sponsor of the site and can help any of you out with any questions you might have about panels I will be here as often as I can.

There is going to be a sticky put up in this secton about me and my work, if any of you have any questions, you can ask them there.

Bsteckel: I would avoid metal at all costs, I have a stack of metal panels I have replaced over the years that have been power coated, anodized and painted, they are all corroded, I can even stick my finger through one.

King starboard is good but labeling the switches is tough seeing nothing sticks to it and it is very easy to scratch

If your looking to do a panel on a budget, there are several levels of panels I build form the full blown wired with LED backlighting to just the plate that you wires and install your own switches.

What ever you decide to do, do not hesitate to ask me anything you might be concerned about, and if you decide to build the panel yourself, I wll be more then happy to guide you in the process.

thanks

Scott Cambra
Vector Imaging

scott .. thanks for the info ... you do some nice work!!

Thanks, I really love building panels.

Ha Ha!!...I's just jabbin' ya...I guess cause I'm jealous of such a nice dash!!...I figgered those were just temporary...:clap:

here is an updated picture of the dash....http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...c/IMG_2002.jpg

another thing i have noticed while looking at pics of many consoles ... especially on the higher end CC's ... a lot of them do not have a windshield?

is that the new thing?

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...um117/tim5.jpg
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...272_Medium.jpg

Removing the windshield was the second best thing I ever did on my seacraft Master Angler. If you get a new windshield . . . I'm a big fan of clear untinted windshields . . . especially for night vision.

What was the 1st best thing??...:head:...love that hull...looks like a smooth ride...:love: