Dash hole options

AFD

AFD

Active Member
Jul 29, 2012
1,250
Boston Harbor/Falmouth Ma
Boat Info
1997 Sundancer 290 The fat beam version
Engines
twins.
Starboard 5.0 alpha 220HP
Port 357 alpha 275hp
4HP Yamaha for Dinghy
I already removed the old clarion dash remote and am installing a new Sony one to go with my existing headunit.
The problem is the location of the old one is really inconvenient and behind the ring of the steering wheel. I have the real estate to move the new one to a much better option but don't want a 2" hole in my dash. Does anybody have any ideas as to what I could put there ? I also have an old faulty lowrance depth gauge that is ugly and in the way and I use the Garmin for that data anyway.
I don't really want to dive into the cost of new panels because I plan on doing all of them next year with new gauges and new switches so this would be a temporary or permanent fix for short money..
 
Why are you not keeping your old Clarion remote in that position? And place the Sony in new position?
 
This somehow ended up in the wrong tab.


The old clarion remote was damaged and looked terrible. It honestly looked just as good as a hole. The lowrance depth gauge doesn't work but isn't physically broken like the clarion remote was. It's already out and in pieces. While trying to remove the wires so I could use them to ease in running new wires behind the enclosed bathroom to the in cabin stereo, the posts on the back crumbled and the whole thing fell apart.
 
On some sport boats that don't come with a depth gauge, there is still a hole in the dash panel. Sea Ray installs a dummy gauge there. It looks just like a gauge, with a nice trim ring and convex gauge lens. But the lens is 'blacked-out' (shiny, black color). If my memory serves, they are about about $10, or so, and your local dealer might even have some laying around. They are designed to fit right into a standard 2" hole.
 
I replaced my VHF with a smaller unit I used a piece of 1/4" marine starboard in off white, I'm also removing an old Livorsi gph/fuel gauge that I'll cover with starboard and making a mounting plate for my Chartplotter & Fishfinder to cover all the holes from previous units. it comes in many colors very easy to work with all woodworking tools can be used. There are many places to buy it here's a link to one site.

http://www.boatoutfitters.com/king-starboard-cut-to-size.html?gclid=CIyRvPPYz8sCFciFfgod5ZcJgw
 
I had flounder pounder make me a custom panel to put my stereo remote and windlass controls in together.
 
magstang1 said:
I had flounder pounder make me a custom panel to put my stereo remote and windlass controls in together.
Click to expand...

Next year I will do the entire dash and gauges with new panels but this year it's other upgrades that top the list.
 
I ended up using the hole and making it larger to put the remote in it but I am going to put a USB charger into the hole for the depth gauge that stopped working right after we bought the boat
 
An idea for you... Use a piece of 1/4" starboard (or Taco Metals version), in a suitable color, or even a piece of PVC which is a little cheaper than starboard, too. Cut that to size for the hole, with the proper overlap. Then use something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Qiorange-Wate...05643&sr=8-3&keywords=flush+mount+usb+charger for your charger. Then modify one of the old gauge brackets to hold everything in place, or just make your own. After all, the bracket is just a bent piece of stock aluminum that is easily sourced and bent, then a hole cut in the middle. The PVC will be smoother looking - just as easy to work with as Starboard - so you can easily shape/round the perimeter edge so it looks nice.
 
Endless great ideas. If you have a genny, put a temp gauge in the hole. Now it's mechanically usefully.
 
Already ordered a carling rocker sized one because I needed the 2.1am output from one of the ports for my tablet but basically the same idea as you outlined Lazy daze.
Actually going to put one in my truck as well. Can't charge my tablet and phone in the truck without a mess of adapters and wires hanging. So this will clean that up.

I'm going to use a 2-1/2" hole saw for the outer flange from 3/4" PC then turn it over and use a 2" to make it actually fit the hole and leave myself with about a 1/4" thick flange. Then cut out the middle for the double USB charger.
 
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You said "PC"... is that something different? Or did you mean "PVC"? I might just not be familiar with that PC term. If you meant PVC, a big advantage it has over Starboard is that you can paint it. Sounds like a good plan you have - I bet it's going to come out real nice.
 
PC = typo pvc is what i meant. Azek actually. i do projects like that at the fire station so on shift tomorrow if its slow or it will have to wait until the weekend. I'm working all weekend. i wish i had a trailer for the boat so i could wax it on shift if it was slow. it would take several shifts to complete but no time lost from family. oh well
 
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