Need help with dash assembly

SPOONMAN1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 19, 2008
Messages
177
ok, heres the deal. I purchased a new hummingbird depth finder. The existing lowarance always reads .5 ft. The installation instructions seem fairly straight forward but the problem lies in the removal of the old one. The boat is a 2001 Mariah 212 and the dash is all molded fiberglass, you cannot even see the back of the existing finder from underneath. From in the bow you can flip up the starboard back rest and see a little of it, but my bifocals don't really do me justice. Regurdless it seems that there are screws from the front but there is no way I want to pry around on plastic trim on the dash of a boat that the company is no longer around. Does any body have any suggestions?
 

JoLin

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
5,146
Re: Need help with dash assembly

Why do you need to remove the old one? If you can't figure out how to access it, why not leave it alone?
 

SPOONMAN1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 19, 2008
Messages
177
Re: Need help with dash assembly

I would like to install the new gauge in the same hole. the Lowrance isn't working properly anymore.
 

NYBo

Admiral
Joined
Oct 23, 2008
Messages
7,107
Re: Need help with dash assembly

Is this a standard 2" round gauge?
 

MH Hawker

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
5,516
Re: Need help with dash assembly

If its a standard gage it is held in place by a bracket from the back.
 

SPOONMAN1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 19, 2008
Messages
177
Re: Need help with dash assembly

It is a std 2", but the small amount I can see of the back is the threaded end of some long machine screws,???? I will have my son give it a look. It won't be easy no matter how it is attached unless the plastic trim would pop of the front, but I am not going to try.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Need help with dash assembly

Look at the front of the panel. On many boats the entire panel comes out the front by removing a few screws that may have plastic caps ver them. With the panel in your lap you can easily remove the gauge.
 

coastalrichard

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
1,255
Re: Need help with dash assembly

ok, heres the deal. I purchased a new hummingbird depth finder. The existing lowarance always reads .5 ft. The installation instructions seem fairly straight forward but the problem lies in the removal of the old one. The boat is a 2001 Mariah 212 and the dash is all molded fiberglass, you cannot even see the back of the existing finder from underneath. From in the bow you can flip up the starboard back rest and see a little of it, but my bifocals don't really do me justice. Regurdless it seems that there are screws from the front but there is no way I want to pry around on plastic trim on the dash of a boat that the company is no longer around. Does any body have any suggestions?

Spoonman, I have the 2007 DX212. My instrument cluster is mounted in a removeable panel in the dash, attached with screws. Remove the screws and the entire unit pulls out of the dash. Sea Fox bought Mariah in 2001 and changed things beginning in 2002, so mine may be different. Good Luck!
 

SPOONMAN1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 19, 2008
Messages
177
Re: Need help with dash assembly

I have looked it over pretty good on the outside of the dash and like I said it appears to have a woodgrain trim over the cluster but it doesn't just pop off with your fingernail and I am not going to pry on it. So I will most likely look for a differant location to mount it. The visible hardware from underneath attaches the intire dash and that is more of an undertaking than I want.??????????????????????????
 

NYBo

Admiral
Joined
Oct 23, 2008
Messages
7,107
Re: Need help with dash assembly

It is a std 2", but the small amount I can see of the back is the threaded end of some long machine screws,????
If the gauge uses a standard type of mount, there will be a nut on each of these that secure the retaining bracket. Remove the nuts and bracket, and the gauge comes out of the front of the instrument panel.
 

coastalrichard

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
1,255
Re: Need help with dash assembly

That's probably correct NYBo, but if he has the problem I think he has, there is VERY limited access to the back of the gauge panel unless you can get the panel out of the dash. Mariah changed hands right after the time his boat was manufactured and things could have changed, but if not for the removeable panel like mine, you gotta be one skinny contortionist to get at the back of the panel to get at those nuts.:eek:
 

coastalrichard

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
1,255
Re: Need help with dash assembly

Spoon, you stated in your original post that there were screws on the dash panel...is this correct?
 

SPOONMAN1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 19, 2008
Messages
177
Re: Need help with dash assembly

Correct there are no visable screws in the front of the dash- but this wood grain plastic trim cover is probably covering them. I could remove the intire dash which would involve remocing the steering wheel and hardware in place that I can't see, so that ain't happening
 
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