dash options
 

I don't care for the dash in my V, its an 81 model and has room for one big gauge(Tach) and room for three little gauges. It has no room for any indash electronics,I was looking thru the thread about mounting electronics and saw several dash's that are far better setups. will the dash in my 81 swap out with any others? Any one have one available?

Re: dash options
 

I'm not sure about swapping out the entire dash, I think what several have done is to replace the face with "starboard". But I am not clear on how its done.

Re: dash options
 

Probably easiest on the early to mid 70's models since the dash is basic and flat. But you just get some 1/4" starboard and cut it out in the shape of the dash. If you are a Mr. Fancy Pants like some you will router the edges then screw to dash using stainless screws and finishing washers.

Re: dash options
 

Hey DAWG...I'm OK w/dat 8) ... ;D ;D...


Spare...post up some pix of what troubles you...I'm thinkin' ol' RAP's got yer Rx ;) ...

Re: dash options
 

Oh look, there is Mr. Fancy Pants now ;D

Re: dash options
 

allready thought of replaceing the dash with starboard, but this dash doesn't leave a lot of room for modification

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...os/V-20010.jpg

kinda hard to see, but right where the shadow is, the face of the dash goes allmost horizontal, the, the only area verticle is right around the gauges

Re: dash options
 

SPARE, if you use starboard on that dash, looks like you will have two pieces and a seam down the middle. Not sure if you want that. MAybe just reface the top with a new vynle covering ?

Re: dash options
 

its not how it looks, its just it doesn't have the room for indash electronics some of the other V's have, I would have to mount the gps faceing up, would be able to see it with out standiing.

Re: dash options
 

I think what he is asking is, would a later model dash fit, could it be swapped from a hurricane damaged boat maybe. The dash design improved (not much) around 85 or so.

Re: dash options
 

I remember a post in the last month or so where someone was building a new dash that looked really good, anyone remember that?

Re: dash options
 

That is a sucky dash!! I have the flat 1975, was easy to redo, I had pictures but got lost some were in thr 970 pic's I have on my puter :-/

This one thing all V's are short on!! I will try to get pic's of mine, but won't help much since the dash sre no were near the same!

Re: dash options
 

Spare...cut OFF everything ABOVE the bulkhead the dash is mounted to...remove all on TOP, leaving area over helm...

W/ 1/4" and 1/2" Starboard, make a new dash to sit down over gaping hole you'll have once you cut away...make new sides of 1/2'' and face of 1/4" as WIDE as you want(from windshield support over to side glass)...run screws from underneath into new 1/2'' sides where they meet bulkhead... :D ;D ...

Re: dash options
 

my father told once apon a time, as a kid he saved his money to send away for a kit to make a frog out of a rubber glove, for his hard earned 5 cents, he received a rubber glove and an instruction sheet, the instructions were to cut away everything that didn't look like a frog. Sounds simular to your solution for my dash( cut away everthing that doesn't look like you want)
;D

Re: dash options
 

zacklee!!...then put back the way you want ;) ...

Re: dash options
 

I haven't worked with starboard (yet). *If you cut 3/16" groove with a table saw in the back of a 1/4" piece of the material and layed the grove over the angle in the dash would it flex into place without cracking? *If so, it'd be easy to trace around the back and cut it out afterwards. *It wouldn't make a much larger dash but it'd look better and no seam.

Re: dash options
 

You be fine doing that!! Stuff cuts with any wood tools, very easy to work with.

The only thing is that you can't glue it, Ity needs to be all screws.
They have away to glue it but you have to buy stuff and it a real pain!!

Re: dash options
 

Probably easiest on the early to mid 70's models since the dash is basic and flat. But you just get some 1/4" starboard and cut it out in the shape of the dash. If you are a Mr. Fancy Pants like some you will router the edges then screw to dash using stainless screws and finishing washers.

THAT' ME !!!, LESTERUS!!!!

Re: dash options
 

You have never really said what you are trying to add but a GPS and I would mount that on a stand. If you mount in the dash then you have to worry about spilling your beer and isn't that what boating is about. If beer cleaned boats I'd never have to wash mine when I got home.

Re: dash options
 

I never worry about that!! No Alcohol allowed on my boat, Nothing Ever!!

Re: dash options
 

Most everybody has seen this, but maybe some haven't...this is what I did to mine back in '99

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...eelin/dash.jpg

Edges routed and counter-sunk SS screws...this is 1/2"...couldn't find 1/4" back then, but this worked out OK I think... :D ...beverage-holder goes BELOW electronics ;) ...

Re: dash options
 

That is super nice REEL. I am putting that on my to do list.

Re: dash options
 

I'm trying to make room for a Northtstar GPS and Furono(getting them in a trade) bottom machine( I've been hanging around big boats too long). My idea is to have them flush mounted vertically. I may have to move the Furono to the port side, but iwant to keep the gps on the dash, along with a normal assortment of gauges. I may just have to wack the dash and start from scratch

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I have 3 buddys with Northstars, they are great!! But i have never even thought of putting one in my boat!!

Wellcraft was never thinking about electronics when they made these boats!!

Re: dash options
 

MJ's right...Wellcraft gave us a great boat, but w/ no thought to adding electronics... :( ...

WHACK THAT DASH!! ;) 8) ... oh, did anybody ever mention before, during, after pictures ;) ...

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i think i'll use that chainsaw in "off topic" to do it

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:o Tell :o me :o NOT :o !! :o

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DO IT DO IT DO IT!! ;D

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Damm at least get VIDEO!! 8) ...

Re: dash options
 

Yes pictures and video. We are optically possessed! Billy Mac ;D

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i'm going to have to wait till i get the gps and bottom machins, that way I won't cut the hole too big, i may have to back form the chain saw to my Bosch jig saw, less chance of blood, or turning my V into a cat

Re: dash options
 

Is good cooler heads have prevailed ;) ;D ...