I am getting ready to switch out the old Raymarine I-40 instruments and am going to be replacing them with a Triton2. On the port side of the companionway, there are 2 I-40 instruments, stacked vertically. The Tritons cut out will be much smaller than the two I-40's. What's a good looking clean way to mount the new Triton. I've seen some boats where they have put up a piece of wood as a cover/trim. Not sure I like that look. I don't really feel like trying to re-glass the holes. What other options are there for a nice looking installation?
Clean way to mount new instrument displays
- Thread starter ordkhntr
- Start date
Covering up big/old holes you have two approaches: fill in the old holes or use cover plates. Depends on your budget/capabilities/final desired looks. Filling in holes is easy, coating the exposed new material to match the existing surrounding areas can be difficult. Gives the best "stock" look.
Cover plates give a visual separation from existing surroundings, so can be any color. Thin G-10 plate works well, easily coated, can be glued or screwed to boat. Almost any flat material can be used as a cover plate, just depends on what you want aesthetics to be.
Cover plates give a visual separation from existing surroundings, so can be any color. Thin G-10 plate works well, easily coated, can be glued or screwed to boat. Almost any flat material can be used as a cover plate, just depends on what you want aesthetics to be.
SpongeDeckSquareFoil
Anarchist
- 610
- 36
A friend did some similar work on his boat. On the exterior he used some 1/8th inch (maybe a bit thicker) aluminum plate to cover the old mounting area and fit the new displays. After sizing the plate, rounding the edges, adding the needed cutout and some mounting holes, he had the plate powder coated in a red color he thought was complementary to the boat. On the interior he used an easily-removable wood panel to cover the old mounting area. It was stained to somewhat match the rest of the interior.
Ended up looking pretty good, except for the powder coating which was a shade or so off what was needed. Probably should have gone with a greyish white or similar neutral coating.
Ended up looking pretty good, except for the powder coating which was a shade or so off what was needed. Probably should have gone with a greyish white or similar neutral coating.
SASSAFRASS
Super Anarchist
Electronics have rather tight tolorances and not alot of give. Whatever you use its best to layout the new stuff on it and make off the boat. Starboard is really easy to work with and does well with this sort of thing. I would stick with materials that need no finish if doing a doubler, starboard or SS.
Diamond Jim
Member
Starboard is available in 3/16”, 1/4”, etc. thicknesses. Small bezel plates can be pretty unobtrusive.
SASSAFRASS
Super Anarchist
With starboard..
Don't be like me... Do your homework on compatible chemicals and sealants...
Always easier to actually know what you are doing first go around...
Don't be like me... Do your homework on compatible chemicals and sealants...
Always easier to actually know what you are doing first go around...
SloopJonB
Super Anarchist
Dark tint plexi cover panels.
Looks good from the outside and lets some light in around the smaller instruments.
Looks good from the outside and lets some light in around the smaller instruments.
Diamond Jim
Member
How about sources for molded plastic boxes to cover the backs?
Bump-n-Grind
Get off my lawn.
dfw_sailor
Super Anarchist
The cheapest method I've found, is the new part is smaller than the old part, and if you have access to a 3d printer is a wood /petg composite.
Tough as nails, looks decent, no visible change in 2 years of texas sun.
This example was $2 of filament.
dfw_sailor
Super Anarchist
Yes, but given a light touch with a counter sink bit to get a very smooth mate.
Its probably my favorite filament.
dfw_sailor
Super Anarchist
Heck you can take 10% of gross if you do all the marketing.
But you left out the forestay retaining seat that pushes into the back of the foil joiner part. Did a few of those last week for a friend. Apparently they can't be found for love or money.
jamhass
Anarchist
- 792
- 134
Weather helm is heavy above 20 though. 