Any ideas for a good dashboard design...

pjbrownva · #1 07-24-2022, 06:58 AM

I've been do a ton of work to my V20.

I bought electronics galore, and built a new dashboard layout....

The problem is, it's really hard to read my two chart plotters.

Does anyone have a layout or design that works. Just today, I was thinking that the trunion mounts would be good, because I mount the displays vertically, but I think that's not secure enough fo me.

I want it built-in with a surface mount. Yes, I know they can still be stolen easily, but they LOOK more permanent. The trunion -- to me -- just looks too inviting to someone to come take it.

I've put in two Raymarine Axiom+ 7" displays, a Raymarine 24" HD Color radar on an atlantic towers radar arch, a lowrance 8 VHF Radio that receives AIS, and an NMEA2000 network to link everything together.

I also moved my motor (a 140 Suzuki 4 stroke) to an atlas jack plate with a 6" set back... but the steering cables are too short. I bought hydraulic steering and a raymarine autopilot too, but I haven't installed them yet.

I know that I took on too much at once, but hey.... I'm trying to refocus now.

Any suggestions on a console design or photos would be helpful.

I've already paid $650 to new wire marine to use their CNC machine to cut a black plexiglass dash so I can mount all of this stuff, but after I drew the plans, I built a prototype and realized that I couldn't read the fish finders that well, so I've put it on hold.

charlie_the_tuna · #2 07-24-2022, 08:17 AM

ok moneybags. is this thread a plea for assistance or did you just want us to know how rich you are?
me? i can barely put gas in my tank. i don't even have bait money. my kid throws the net for peanut bunker at the start of every trip.
just sign me, THE MAN WITH NO MONEY.

steplift20 · #3 07-24-2022, 08:26 AM

I just use the space that's availible to me on my console. My radio is in the cabin,my compass and fish finder are right behind the windshield and I have a hand held GPS mounted on the right side of the dash on top. The fish finder is supposed to be the easiest fish finder availible I paid $99.00 for it and still can't figure it out. The GPS same thing ,can't figure that out either. The radio works fine but never use it.
My fish finder. Look for birds. Or party boats. I have seen some Vs with big fish finders on this site I'm sure if you look for pictures of the V s you will find some and get ideas. Good luck. Keep searching my friend .

phatdaddy · #4 07-24-2022, 09:14 AM

Yeah, the dash is one of the biggest drawbacks to these boats. I have had multiple setups, beginning with color machine and loran mounted on the port dash to built in to dash combo units.

Now have a combo unit mounted on brackets on dash, seems to work best for me.

I always wanted to remove the helm / glovebox pod and cut the angled part off. Then put a flat panel on top and have a lot more real estate to work with. Never could get up the nerve

this is what i have now

SkunkBoat · #5 07-24-2022, 09:33 PM

You'd have been better off with one 12" vs two 7". You can split screen and do whatever but still get a big screen when you need it to see.
Reading a radar on a 7" screen is gonna be something...

Nobody has done two in that dash. Search Tags for "dash".
Looking back at my old dash you MIGHT fit two across the top and a Suzuki gauge and a VHF below. But you have almost nothing left for switches. Get some new wire lighted switches that are labeled on the switch and that'll save some room. Maybe in a straight line across the bottom

You are probably going to have to go vertical with the two units. What I mean is, the dash is angled, you need to build up a vertical flat space at the top(where the compass is) that will fit two 7" displays. Don't worry about blocking the windshield, nobody looks thru that anyways.