Where to find a flybridge console

[juryduty]

Hi gang, I recently took home the console top from my flybridge (28 Uniflite Mega) intenting to put some new gauges in as a weeknight project. But... the thing was so brittle it cracked apart all to hell. I was hoping to repair it but it just keeps losing more pieces. What would you do in this situation? Is it possible to have someone build a new gauge console or buy one? It looks like plastic reinforced with some kind of resin on the inside. Attached is a picture. Thanks in advance for any clues.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Where to find a flybridge console

either build one out of plywood or build a mold and form one out of fiberglass

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Where to find a flybridge console

Hi and welcome to the Iboats dry dock, juryduty...
You have a few options...
You can search everywhere for a replacement...might take quite a while...
You can have one made, still might take a while and possibly cost a body part or two...
You can try to keep repairing the one you have, but it seems that is a No-Go...
Finally, you can make your own...
You can make an exact copy of your original one out of some thin, exterior grade plywood and seal it really well with polyester resin and cloth, or epoxy resin and cloth...
You could also use your original to make a mold out of it and use it to make a carbon copy...
You can build a new, custom one from scratch on top of the original's location, and again seal it up properly...
And yes, all of the DIY methods will probably take a bit of time, a slightly upward learning curve, and may not save you a bunch of green in the process...but the satisfaction and knowledge you'll gain will be kinda priceless...
Among all the members here, we can guide you through most any process you decide to go for...
Another good resource is YouTube...type in mold making, mold fabrication, making molds, etc...
You are sure to find various approaches and see for yourself what would be involved...
Best of luck and be sure to keep us posted...
GT1M

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Where to find a flybridge console

You can start the hunt here:
Salvage Yards, by Wilde1

And you could try Lanier Marine liquidators in Georgia

 

[bigdirty]

Re: Where to find a flybridge console

If it were me, I'd likely build a whole new one out of 1/2" ply (maybe 3/4" for the base section, where the throttle and fwd/rev controls are) and either cover in glass and gel coat, or just paint and then wrap/upholster it in foam backed white material.. and you have the original for measurements and reference..

 

[juryduty]

Re: Where to find a flybridge console

Thanks for all the replies... if I build a new one out of 1/2" or 3/4" ply, how do I build the "lip" that goes around the base of it? I start with one sheet of 3/4" ply as the base, there is a 1" or so edge that curves downward and is used to hold a few screws that go horizontally into the base (on the boat).

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Where to find a flybridge console

You can attach a temporary form to the base, cover it with waxed paper, then build up several layers of 1708 biaxial cloth to get the thickness you need, then just trim any excess...



You can also get a little more of an idea of what I mean by checking out "zool's" recent repair of his hatch edges using a similar method...http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...ap-restoration-pics-598307-6.html#post4479281