Looking for advice on finding dash material for my 268

Ottawamerc

Ottawamerc

Member
Mar 23, 2016
74
Kemptville
Boat Info
1987 model on a Karavan tri axle trailer pulled by a 2016 F250 7.2L XLT
Engines
7.4 Mercruiser
Hello All

I'm planning on a redesign of my 87 268 dash/ cockpit. I am replacing all the gauges and relocating my chart plotter, marine radio, etc, there as well. I am also planning on redoing all the switches and breakers, what I don't know is where and what type of material to use as a backer for the new setup's? Is it just a 1/8" plastic sheet?

If anyone has done this and could point me into the right direction for the material would be greatly appreciated. I have searched the internet for automotive/ marine plastic ABS polymer sheets and I haven't found anything great yet.
 
Flounder pounder aka www.searayparts.com or technographics.com sell what you are looking for. Technographics has multiple material types and blank gauge panels if you want them to do it or you can buy the material and do them yourself.
 
Only your imagination will limit you here. Opinions as to "what's best" will vary, as well... since there really is no "best". Material can range from plywood to lexan to HDPE/Starboard to aluminum... along with being painted or vinyl wrapped... to having a company make it for you such as what Cocktail mentioned. And I'm sure I'm forgetting a few material choices. Another company that does good work - even pre-wiring/switching it is New Wire Marine.

An easy place for sheet goods is McMaster Carr.
 
tiara in the snow 01.JPG
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Here are two pix of in progress and done. We replaced the original panel which was the factory gel coat with cut outs for the 2004 electronics with a powder coated aluminum panel with new openings of the correct size for the replacements. It was really pretty simple.
 
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Ottawamerc said:
Hello All

I'm planning on a redesign of my 87 268 dash/ cockpit. I am replacing all the gauges and relocating my chart plotter, marine radio, etc, there as well. I am also planning on redoing all the switches and breakers, what I don't know is where and what type of material to use as a backer for the new setup's? Is it just a 1/8" plastic sheet?

If anyone has done this and could point me into the right direction for the material would be greatly appreciated. I have searched the internet for automotive/ marine plastic ABS polymer sheets and I haven't found anything great yet.
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We have used both Black ABS sheets 1/4 or 1/8 depending on the opening or King Starboard.

-Kevin
 
Had a Baja dash made at a place called Engravers Gallery it was a shop the did vinyl decals and trophies I gave them the panels and they reproduced them at a small price.
 
Thank you all for all your advice, I'll look at those sites and dealers and keep you updated on the progress. It's still -17*C here so still in planning stages.
 
Ottawamerc said:
Hello All

I'm planning on a redesign of my 87 268 dash/ cockpit. I am replacing all the gauges and relocating my chart plotter, marine radio, etc, there as well. I am also planning on redoing all the switches and breakers, what I don't know is where and what type of material to use as a backer for the new setup's? Is it just a 1/8" plastic sheet?

If anyone has done this and could point me into the right direction for the material would be greatly appreciated. I have searched the internet for automotive/ marine plastic ABS polymer sheets and I haven't found anything great yet.
Click to expand...


Like you, I also redesigned my dash for my 268. I bought the plastic from Johnson Plastics. I purchased 1/8" thick, but it is too thin so I glued some clear 1/8 plastic I got from Home Depot.
Here is how it came out.
20150711_170217.jpg
20150711_170226.jpg 20150711_170226.jpg
20150711_170226.jpg
 
Thats perfect. You're switches are the ones I am considering too, do you like them and do they have the DTDP options for the lights and wipers?
 
Ottawamerc said:
Thats perfect. You're switches are the ones I am considering too, do you like them and do they have the DTDP options for the lights and wipers?
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Thank you. I like how it came out. Yes, they are the DTDP for the lights and wipers. I even have the momentary switch for the horn. I purchased them, along with the circuit breakers and watertight wire ends at Zoro.com.
I am a school shop teacher so I was able to use our vinyl graphics plotter and laser engraver to make the parts.
 
mstang64bb do you have a closer pic of the pop breakers? all mine are so badly worn I cant tell what the amps are, looks like some are 5, 10 and 15's?
 
Ottawamerc said:
mstang64bb do you have a closer pic of the pop breakers? all mine are so badly worn I cant tell what the amps are, looks like some are 5, 10 and 15's?
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Hello~
This is what I have installed:
Horn - 5amp
Blower - 10amp
Bilge - 5amp
Wipers - 10amp
Step down pump - 5amp
Water system - 15amp
Nav. Lights - 10amp
Cockpit Lights - 10amp
Cabin Lights - 15amp
Power ports - 10amp
Ignition - 5amp
 
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IMG_4767.jpg

So I went from this.
IMG_4767.jpg

To This!!!
IMG_4907.jpg

Then when that was done I built a new swim platform that is twice the original size! I'm very happy with the finished products. Now all I need is warm weather.
IMG_4994(1).jpg
 

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Looks nice - good job!

But you forgot to answer your original question... what did you do for the dash material?
 
Lol your right! I ctually remembered that I had a big sheet of 1/8" aluminum so I milled it out of that.
 
Oh im sorry. I used perforated aluminum backed with a very tight stainless steel woven mesh and then backed with a Stainless steel backing sheet metal that I think was painted black. The ring around the actual dash is polished stainless steel that I felt resembled the rugged rocky shores that surround the lake we have grown to love boating on. There are all kinds of metals out there both perforated and pressed that can make very nice effects that IN MY OPINION go very well with these older boats. With the laser cutting and etching and water jet cutting in conjunction with CAD drawings, what you do with your boat is only limited by your imagination and cost. Heck use real wood or stone or ? Once again IN MY OPINION I believe the dash on these older boats is crying for improvements and the wood grain plastic look doesn't go very well with the natural wood that is on these boats. Am I the only one feeling this way? LOL
 
Ottawamerc said:
Lol your right! I ctually remembered that I had a big sheet of 1/8" aluminum so I milled it out of that.
Click to expand...
Did you then use a vinyl wrap for the wood grain look? The 3M di noc stuff? It's a nice look, for sure.
 
Yeah I had a vinyl wrap made to cover it with the switch id's added, was a bit of a chore getting it right. I also recovered the dash covers as the originals were starting to show their age and didnt go well with the new gauges.
 
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