Commander Flybridge Set-Up

[commander315]

I have a Chris-Craft 315 Commander. When I got it in 2003, the previous owner installed a wood box over and around the existing fiberglass helm box. It looked good and clean but had to go since the bottom was rotting. So, heres the question, I'd like to build another box of some type to flush mount my new electronics, (New Raymarine C80, E120, Radio, and Autopilot. Garmin Fish finder, Digital tach), and mount my existing radar on top, (and shes big). So, I dont know what to build it out of. I was gonna just use marine plywood and cover it in FRP. Idk if i want to bother with fiberglass. Any suggestions or thoughts?

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Commander Flybridge Set-Up

I'd glass it, the FRP (I'm assuming you mean laminate here) will peel in short order.

 

[commander315]

Re: Commander Flybridge Set-Up

I was thinking of it, but i would never get it to match the the 25 year old glass thats there. I think it would look weird.. How bout ply with a thin layer of glass ? Heres what it looked like before I ripped it out. The new oiece will be similar size and shape but the front will be beveled and slanted for all my electronics to mount

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Commander Flybridge Set-Up

Hmm... see what you're sayin. I'd at least thoroughly coat the marine ply with fiberglass resin and sand it as flat as possible, then the laminate. May have to find a proper glue for that however.

 

[commander315]

Re: Commander Flybridge Set-Up

I'm very familiar with installing the laminate. Do you think if i coated the ply with resin, covered it in the frp with the regular adhesive, then seal the edges and trim with 4200, u think that would work from the waterproofing and peel preventing standpoint?

 

[seabob4]

Re: Commander Flybridge Set-Up

"FRP", in the boat building biz, stands for "Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic"...

In other words, wetted out glass...

 

[commander315]

Re: Commander Flybridge Set-Up

Yes, It means the same everywhere. Its similar to a laminate material though. Depending on which type your talking about. I used it to replace the eve bottom of the overhand that comes down from the bridge. I just used 4200 to glue it on and 5200 on the edges to seal it. It didn't peel yet and I did that in 05. Do you think that would work good for my purposes?