console ideas

[Buckeyedude]

Getting ready to build some consoles and wanted some input, ideas, even pics if you have any! I have an idea of what i wanna do, but am always open to fresh ideas. There will be 2 consoles, separated for a walk through windshield. Thanks

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: console ideas

What type of boat you got, Buckeye? Is this a metal starcraft-type boat or a glasser? Is it a fishing rig or a pleasure boat... I know I would want more form/stylishness in a ski/pleasure boat, and something more rugged/basic in a fishing boat. My plans would also vary based on size of the boat, as well as if I had something vintage vs. something more modern.

Speaking very generally, I am usually a fan of "less is more" when it comes to consoles (especially home-made ones) - sort of falls into the sewing category for me (keep it simple unless you have made skills and the right tools). For some ideas on fabrication, I would check Trooper82's thread (he has been shaping "pour in" foam, which is a pretty novel idea) and Archbuilder's pontoon thread (he has been making molds out of cardboard and such).

I think you have a thread somewhere that might answer the above questions, as I have seen your name around the dry dock. That said, you may get better ideas from showing us some pics of the boat (on this thread) or maybe putting in a reference/link to your resto/other thread.

Thanks and hope this gets the ball rolling among the dry dock brain trust

 

[Teamster]

Re: console ideas

Myself I prefer the "double bubble" plastic type wind screens,...

I've had a walk through windshield explode while running in big water, That wasn't fun.

 

[Buckeyedude]

Re: console ideas

What type of boat you got, Buckeye? Is this a metal starcraft-type boat or a glasser? Is it a fishing rig or a pleasure boat... I know I would want more form/stylishness in a ski/pleasure boat, and something more rugged/basic in a fishing boat. My plans would also vary based on size of the boat, as well as if I had something vintage vs. something more modern.

Speaking very generally, I am usually a fan of "less is more" when it comes to consoles (especially home-made ones) - sort of falls into the sewing category for me (keep it simple unless you have made skills and the right tools). For some ideas on fabrication, I would check Trooper82's thread (he has been shaping "pour in" foam, which is a pretty novel idea) and Archbuilder's pontoon thread (he has been making molds out of cardboard and such).

I think you have a thread somewhere that might answer the above questions, as I have seen your name around the dry dock. That said, you may get better ideas from showing us some pics of the boat (on this thread) or maybe putting in a reference/link to your resto/other thread.

Thanks and hope this gets the ball rolling among the dry dock brain trust

im working on a starcrafts second cousin here is a link, 3rd page has up to date pic of what i have to work with.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=544381

 

[Buckeyedude]

Re: console ideas

Ill post a sketch of what i have in mind later, hopefully tonight! Right now we are getting the boys packed to head to 4h camp!

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: console ideas

By the way, I checked out your resto thread last night... Excellent work so far. I like the boat a lot. I am going to start following along.

 

[oldschooltiller]

Re: console ideas

That boat is so big it doesn't really matter a whole lot.
So with that said I'd probably add something with a bunch of lockable storage on the port side, and the starboard side should have room for a big depthfinder, stereo, and anything else you would want to add.

NICE boat!!

 

[Buckeyedude]

Re: console ideas

thanks guys, i threw this layout together last night on a piece of paper the exact size i plan on making the control panel/part. It looks a littl busy with vhf cutout, so if it ends up being a problem, ill just not cut the part out and mount vhf on top by fishfinder.

 

[Buckeyedude]

Re: console ideas

:facepalm:

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: console ideas

thanks guys, i threw this layout together last night on a piece of paper the exact size i plan on making the control panel/part. It looks a littl busy with vhf cutout, so if it ends up being a problem, ill just not cut the part out and mount vhf on top by fishfinder.

Nice project there Dude ..

I personally would change it .. Follow me here ..

1. Put the volt meter where the speedo is.
2. Put the speedo where the switch panel is.
3. Put the Horn where the volt meter is.
4. Put the switch panel where the VHF is.
5. Put the VHF somewhere else under the dash or something.
6. Probably best to keep the steering wheel where it is for now .
7. Tach and Fuel stay where you have them.
* 8. Add a thermosensor gauge where your horn was attaching to your beer cooler ( My personal favorite ).

YD.

 

[Teamster]

Re: console ideas

If your on the Great Lakes it isn't a bad idea to mount the vhf radio as high as practical on the dash,..

In the event that you really need it, It might buy you a couple of extra seconds to make a call to the CG before it goes under,..

Just thinking out loud,...

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: console ideas

If your on the Great Lakes it isn't a bad idea to mount the vhf radio as high as practical on the dash,..

Why ? The whip is what gives your reception ..not the unit itself ..

In the event that you really need it, It might buy you a couple of extra seconds to make a call to the CG before it goes under,..

Your too late at that point. Get some good PFD's.

Aside from that .. what do you think of my layout buckeye ?

YD.

 

[Buckeyedude]

Re: console ideas

Why ?[/B] The whip is what gives your reception ..not the unit itself ..



Your too late at that point. Get some good PFD's.

Aside from that .. what do you think of my layout buckeye ?

YD.

I appreciate the input, but i wanna keep all of the intruments across the top. I could see switching the volt and speedo out, and doing something different with the vhf, but i really want the switches as far away from that walk through as possible! Ive got 3 boys and they have a tremendous time paying attention and i can see something getting turned on everytime one of them walks past it! The face i have to work with is 27 3/8"x8 1/2" so that gives you an idea on the space I have to work with!

Def gotta make room for thermosensor though!

 

[Buckeyedude]

Re: console ideas

I was really hoping to have these in by now, but my buddy that has the material and the place to shear/weld it has been swamped with work and worjing 7 days a week. Iwasnt really thinking back when I sold that old center console, but i never measured the hole for the steering! So ive been looking on teleflexs website and am pretty sure it is suppose to be 3.25" Im thinking ill probably be doing a trial hole in a piece of something just to play it safe first!

 

[Teamster]

Re: console ideas

Why ?[/B] The whip is what gives your reception ..not the unit itself ..



Your too late at that point. Get some good PFD's.

Aside from that .. what do you think of my layout buckeye ?

YD.

The location of the radio was something on his,..

I've seen some guy's mount the VHF very near the floor under the console so it's "out of the way",...

Personally I like them on top of the dash on a open boat,....

Like I said, if you really need it you really need it, And any extra time you can buy to use it is a good thing,...

 

[Buckeyedude]

Re: console ideas

Ive been thinking about that alot. Im pretty sure i dont want it where its at in the pic, so either on top by fishfinder, or directly underneath. (where actually i think it will be easier to get to considering the height of my consoles. Im 6'-4", so my thought was to build something i can fit into and ride comfortably!)

 

[Teamster]

Re: console ideas

Will your knees bang into it under the dash???

That's my way of saying on top up by the fish finder would be my choice,.....

 

[jigngrub]

Re: console ideas

If I had a boat stuffed with pool noodles, I'd have 2 VHF radios!!!

One in the console and another one mounted on a 20' pole above the deck so I could make a second mayday call when the boat sinks!

Gotta love that 2 part urethane foam!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30nDtZ4iys

 

[Buckeyedude]

Re: console ideas

Bwahahaha, nice jig! I think it'll be okay, I filled in all if the 3" holes with 5200!

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: console ideas

the dash looks a little plain with the area you left for the steering wheel not having any gauges. i can understand why you would leave this area blank as its harder to see the gauges behind the wheel but its a large piece of real estate that looks kinda bland so im sure some of the non important gauges could go there. if your friend is to busy to make the part for you just ask him for the material then cover in masking tape and draw the gauges etc on the sheet and cut them out with hole saws and a jig saw then tear off the tape and your done. would be nicer if it was more 3 dimensional then you could realy show off at the boat ramps