Custom dash ideas for Super Sport or walk through helms

[ShoestringMariner]

Hey all, I’m thinking about building a new dash for my Supersport. Both for the helm and the other console.

For the helm, I want to fit a tach and speedo plus lights, bilge etc. It’s going to be pretty tight. I don’t want to do an over the top style cluster addition because I want to stuff the biggest sonar I can fit on top under the crowded windscreen area. Hoping for 9” Lowrance, Garmin or 7-8” Humminbird.

For the port side cowl, I want to build a drop down glove box that also acts as a shelf. I’ll put a 12v and USB ports inside for phone charging.

I’ve got some black walnut I could use if walnut will take a good epoxy & varnish. This will be a garage or travel cover stored boat with only fair weather exposure to elements. Open to other ideas.

Id also like a marine radio but not sure where to put it.

Anyone care to share their custom layouts or mods? Let’s see your handy work!

 

[gm280]

I have make custom gauge clusters for my boat and tons more for labs, electronic equipment and such. The trick is to find a computer program, which you probably already have, and sketch what you want on such a program to see how everything lays out. Then you can move things around until you like the end results.

Just remember one thing designing panels like that, make sure you think about how much room those gauges and switches take on the back-side of the panel. Usually gauges and switches and such required more room behind the panel then the front.

I use a program called Visio Pro. It is a program where you can lay out most anything from office space to panels to flow charts and most everything in between. But any paint program can be used as well.

Seems I can't upload any of the pictures so when things change, I'll post them...

 

[Watermann]

I guess the plastic dash panel insert I have for my V5 SS isn't going to help much but I can say that budski has made some super nice dashes for his dual console builds.

Here's an example of his work

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I guess the plastic dash panel insert I have for my V5 SS isn't going to help much but I can say that budski has made some super nice dashes for his dual console builds.

Here's an example of his work

[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"https:\/\/forums.iboats.com\/filedata\/fetch?photoid=10176940"**[/IMG2]

Very nice. I'm seeing a lot of custom touches on that boat. Any chance I can get a link? I like the rework of the vee area and wider seats/casting deck which s something I want to do.

I also like the square shelf detail along the floor under the gunnel area.

As for the dash, I lke the glovebox. Seeing the well done headsup cluster makes me think there will be no large-ish sonar going up there unless I crowd the panel below with the spedo and tach - maybe I'll have to put switches on side panel.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I have make custom gauge clusters for my boat and tons more for labs, electronic equipment and such. The trick is to find a computer program, which you probably already have, and sketch what you want on such a program to see how everything lays out. Then you can move things around until you like the end results.

Just remember one thing designing panels like that, make sure you think about how much room those gauges and switches take on the back-side of the panel. Usually gauges and switches and such required more room behind the panel then the front.

I use a program called Visio Pro. It is a program where you can lay out most anything from office space to panels to flow charts and most everything in between. But any paint program can be used as well.

Seems I can't upload any of the pictures so when things change, I'll post them...

Nice looking work. Good to know about the space behind issue. I have an Autocad knockoff that will work. If I dont go walnut, I'll probably cnc cut brushed aluminum or something. I think the wood will look sharp.

 

[Watermann]

Very nice. I'm seeing a lot of custom touches on that boat. Any chance I can get a link? I like the rework of the vee area and wider seats/casting deck which s something I want to do.

I also like the square shelf detail along the floor under the gunnel area.

As for the dash, I lke the glovebox. Seeing the well done headsup cluster makes me think there will be no large-ish sonar going up there unless I crowd the panel below with the spedo and tach - maybe I'll have to put switches on side panel.

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...-new-project-1988-supersport-180-johonson-120

 

[ShoestringMariner]

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...-new-project-1988-supersport-180-johonson-120

Thanks, I looked up his user posts and got lost down the rabbit hole of amazing project builds. Droolworthy.

Now I want to finish mine and build another, but differently...have a family of them. someday maybe rebuild a Cheiftain also.

 

[gm280]

Let me try this again since Watermann seems to be able to post pictures.

Well it looks like I was now able to up load pictures. I posted two panels I designed and made, and the first was the initial steps from design to the finished panel. The second panel was the gauge panel I made the same way. Just wanted to let you see that anything is able to be made. Even wood panels. Just get creative...

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Let me try this again since Watermann seems to be able to post pictures.

Well it looks like I was now able to up load pictures. I posted two panels I designed and made, and the first was the initial steps from design to the finished panel. The second panel was the gauge panel I made the same way. Just wanted to let you see that anything is able to be made. Even wood panels. Just get creative...

Now those are cool! Laser etched stainless?

Are those face mount fuses above the swiches?

 

[gm280]

Now those are cool! Laser etched stainless?

Are those face mount fuses above the swiches?

Well it is a LASERed etched plate/panel, it is not stainless steel. It is actually brushed aluminum LOOKING plastic adhered to an aluminum backing plate. And the colors and textures are endless for doing this. Any type panel material you can think up, including wood and different metal looks as well, is offered for this ability.

Those are not fuses but military aircraft quality circuit breakers. I like circuit breakers because if you pop one, you simply reset it instead of looking for a correct size replace fuse onboard...and not finding any. But either would work just fine. Personal choice.

Any trophy shop near you can easily LASER the panel out once you design what you like. I just happen to have such a large bed commercial LASER engraver at home. I use to design panels for a lot of different type businesses and professional electronic equipment before retiring. I think my son is now going to take the LASER for his work efforts...

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Awesome. So if I drew up a design and saved it as a dxf, a trophy shop should be able to produce them?

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Awesome. So if I drew up a design and saved it as a dxf, a trophy shop should be able to produce them? The circuit breakers are even better

 

[Watermann]

I use Onedrive for pics of mine but you can copy the image address from others pics and post them elsewhere in other threads using the advanced tool bar pic icon.

My Onedrive tutorial.
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/oth...for-photo-attachments?p=10449178#post10449178

 

[Flyn1n]

You're in for the best boating of your life My KFC Experience.

MOD EDIT - A finger lickin' spammer is gone!

 

[ShoestringMariner]

You're in for the best boating of your life My KFC Experience.

What?

 

[GA_Boater]

Obviously a 12 year old fan of the Colonel flappin' his wings, Shoestring. We'll see what happens.