Ideas for fabricating dash

W

wino

Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2005
RO Number
19181
Messages
52
Hi,
I finally have some time to get back at my boat for a few days.I am looking for ways to mount a stereo and fishfinder/gps/chartplotter etc.I am thinking about building some sort of fiberglass half box under port side of dash that could mount the stereo and maybe vhf facing me.The hole is where the glovebox was.
on top of the starboard side dash is a hump which I also thought of enlarging to place either of these items.I still need somewhere to place fishfinder..

Has anyone got any good ideas or pics of their project that may help me out here.
I am waiting for seats and carpet and would like to get this stuff off my plate first.
Ideas of any sort will help.

I would also like idea to solve my sitting water problem. Should I just ad a through hull fitting and drain it into bilge with tubing or something else?

Boat005.jpg


Boat003.jpg


Boat002.jpg


Boat001.jpg


Thanx
 
"I would also like idea to solve my sitting water problem. Should I just ad a through hull fitting and drain it into bilge with tubing or something else?"

Uh, what "sitting water problem". Please describe. More info --> more ideas.
 
Sorry . In the first pic the water sits there and as you can see if the boat doesn't move for more than a few days it gets crappy with algae and bugs.It is also where the fuel fill goes and some days when it rains it covers the fill opening.
I thought of building it up with fiber glass to make a slope forward and to the side so water will basically run off.
That is what I meant.
 
I always vote for "least maintenance" so I would ( In order of preference ):

1) Fair the surface so that fluids run off the side.

2) Install drain that goes to above waterline through hull ( not as effective, requires maintenance, may actually be more work to accomplish )

3) drain to bilge ( all the problems of choice (2), plus all that crud and algae plus maybe fuel, is now in the bilge. Yecch! )

Choose #1.

--edit--

Looking at the picture, it looks as if the standing water problem is being caused by the boat not being level ( side to side ). I have seen such designs before and in almost all cases, when the boat is in the water, the "spray" falls off the side naturally.
 
Thanks. I guess I will fill it and shape it. It is sitting on trailer in yard while I do the rebuild and some rain blows under the tent cover and runs to that spot on both sides.

Now to figure out what to do for the rest of it.
I think I will go out today and start a (box) for lack of better word for under dash and see where that takes me. Oviously no much room in small 19 footer so need to do something to put electronics where they are half protected.
There is a small ladder that goes in middle to climb on to bow but I really don't like it. I guess it is easier than struggling though.

Thanx
 
Has anyone doe any custom fabricating on their dash? Or built storage compartments etc?
 
I've had good luck with expoxy and fiberglass coating over plywood. I had to redo the sunpad in the rear and also fabricated some side panels when I added heat to the boat a few years ago. I may be the only 21' cuddy around this area with heat. ;-)

I did my finish trimming with marine vinyl. 8-9 years later and it's still holding up extremely well. Just make sure to get epoxy saturation and fill any screw holes to keep the wood core sealed and you'll be OK.

It does help that I have a trailer like you do. It does put less wear on things than sitting in the water- less condensation, etc.

Good luck!
 
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