New dash ideas

[thebottomfish]

Hey guys, last year after getting the boat I rewired everything up to the dash panel because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it.
With the season over im going to pull the dash and make a new aluminum panel to house my ff/gps, tach and fuel gauge along with a few toggle switches.
I'm wondering two things...
Currently my fuel gauge is run off a momentary on off switch, should I run that off ignition? Regular on off? I'm not sure how most of you guys run them
I'll have a nav off anchor switch, cabin/deck lights switch, momentary horn and that's it. Should I include anything else on switch? I'll probably add an extra dummy switch just for the future but figured I'd ask what else is a good idea to have as a toggle
Thanks in advance!

[Destroyer]

Bilge pump(s) -- on/off/auto (Two switches if you have two pumps)
White (all around) anchor light -- on/off Independent of the navigation lights.

And on a separate note, why would you want to use an aluminum plate for the dash? I'm presuming you are going to use your boat in the ocean? Aluminum will corrode from the salt air and salt spray. You may also encounter galvanic corrosion with different metals touching it (like copper for instance) IMHO a far better choice would be Starboard or, if you really want the look of metal, stainless steel.

[Cam]

Fuel gauge should be on ignition, not on a switch. Always live when key is turned on and engine running.

[scook]

I'm with Destroyer - even if you use marine grade aluminum you could still have galvanic problems.

I was considered putting my GPS/sonar in my dash but my fishing buddy suggested putting it on a swivel mount so it can be positioned for viewing when fishing in the back of the boat. It looks cool in the dash and if you only use it when driving the boat, the dash makes sense.

The only thing keeping me from making a new dash from the Starboard I bought is how to label the switches. Does anything stick to that stuff or anybody have another labeling method?

[thebottomfish]

I have the bulge pumps, both, wired direct to the battery on float switches, is that not common practice?
The anchor light would be on a switch that's navigation-off-anchor, that's how I've seen most boats so I figured that's the correct way?
I'm making it out of aluminum, painting it then wrapping it in vinyl, at least that's my idea at the moment.
Starboard is such a pain to clean with the texture, traps dirt a little too easily any other ideas would be welcome as to dash material but it seems like a lot of guys use aluminum without much issue
I like having the GPS/ff flush mounted, I have two and one is on a swivel so I can watch while fishing, it really is a nice touch

[thebottomfish]

Also your label point is a good one, I've yet to decide how I'm going to label the switches regardless, but starboard sire would be a pain!

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by thebottomfish

I have the bulge pumps, both, wired direct to the battery on float switches, is that not common practice?

You want the ability to turn on the pumps manually, in case the float switch(es) fail, or get jammed by something and don't work. On/off/auto. In auto the floats control the pump(s), in on you control the pump(s).