Custom Dash Ideas 88 model

[speakrdude]

Anyone have any good ideas they would like to share for getting rid of that ugly, padded dash look on my 88 300 Weekender? The gauges appear to be fine but the padded thing has got to go.

Thanks

 

[CaptainH]

Send some pictures of what you are dealing with. I am rebuilding my instrament & switch panels. Using teak vaneer and trim, all new wiring, gauges & switches.

 

[keokie]

I went with teak on my 260. I'll look for a picture and post later.

 

[speakrdude]

Here ya go....

 

[tollycraft]

Anyone have any good ideas they would like to share for getting rid of that ugly, padded dash look on my 88 300 Weekender? The gauges appear to be fine but the padded thing has got to go.

Thanks

Looking forward to some ideas also, same dash. I like the idea of teak but, I would definitly have to get someone to build it for me as I can't hammer a nail in a board straight let alone cut some expensive wood.

 

[wileecoyote]

As long as you keep the snazzy looking steering wheel cover :lol:
How do you go anywhere? There arn't any throttles!

 

[speakrdude]

I was wondering why it only idles. I found them below, rolled up and put away. Kinda how I found the breather cover (see pic):thumbsup:

 

[chollyjohn]

Have you discovered that by putting the flame arrestor cover under the helm that it prevents backfires under the dash? Seriously, unless the vinyl is torn, dull and weathered, the padded dash design isn't bad. If you look on the internet, there are companies that you can ge tot cut you an exact match of yoru dashboard holes. All you do is send them a template and they send you back the finished product. There aree finishes like maplewood, burl, burnished stainless steel, black satin laminate, etc. Leave the cutting to them. Best to you on yoru renovation.

 

[tobnpr]

My 1985 390 had the padded vinyl dash- couldn't stand it, there was no way to caulk/seal the edges and had water leaking back behind the dash and down into the cabin over the fridge... I tore it out and built a new one:

 

[headexpress]

TOBNPR,

How is the visibility while seated at the helm?

I like the concept. Did you do the work yourself, and what is the new dash made from?

I hope to upgrade my electronics in the next year and need to improve the sightlines for my radar, GPS, flowscans, etc.
Presently I have to bend over and to the left for a good view of these items. Easy to lose focus on whats in front of me, especially at night. Your setup, it would seem, eliminates the problem.

 

[CaptainH]

Have had the boat 1 year now. Here is what I had to start with, what I had when I removed old panel and the new instrament panel I built. The new panel is a temp that I will put in this weekend just so I can get the boat back in the water again. I will be making a new panel same layout but with teak vaneer on panel flat and also teak trim molding around the outside. The switch panel I just rewired and installed new switches and it will go back in. The old panel had a switch cluster that was for a twin (?), just did not function and was made of vinyl covered plywood and had to go. I was also trying to make something more like the origional look as best as I could with the damage that had been done.

 

[keokie]

Here's the picture I mentioned earlier

 

[speakrdude]

Now yer talkin. That looks great! Your Aluminum looks nice and shiney too. Did you polish it?

 

[rdstillw]

Who made the panels out of wood for you? Looks great!

 

[Nehalennia]

Looks great Keokie.

Local friend of mine, Somesailor here did these with his Laser

http://www.iboatnw.com/gallery/v/Projects/Dash+Upgrades+-+Placards+-+Ideas/

 

[brad10281]

You could replace it with King Starboard material. Limited color options but easy to deal with.

Here's a sample I found online:

Taken from http://www.thevideojunkie.com/whalerville/22revenge2.html

The black board is StarBoard material

 

[CaptainH]

Keokie,
That is the look I am searching for putting my panels back together. I know working with teak is harder and requires maintenance but makes for an outstanding finished product. Nice job!

 

[speakrdude]

I really like the smoked plexi bent around the top. That gives me some great ideas.

 

[berth control]

Nice looking dashes guys - mine looks dated too, but i am going to be happy with new white or tan vinyl on the same pattern and paint the dash with interlux. Not as good of a finished product, but a lot less work, and it updates it some. I am impressed with what you guys did with those things though!