Console like swiss cheese!

[desertrat]

Ok so as part of the rewire I've discovered that the console on the boat has more holes then the latest budget plan!

Now unfortunately the budget is very tight after buying all of the bits for the rewire etc. and needing to get new trailer parts to the point where I can't really afford to give it to a professional to sort out and certainly can't afford a new console.

So I need a plan to make it look ok'ish and get it on the water, is my best bet to put a plate over the complete top? I need to mount the compass and two plotters/sounders on the top as well.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Rob

[Barrowboy]

Originally Posted by desertrat

Ok so as part of the rewire I've discovered that the console on the boat has more holes then the latest budget plan!

Now unfortunately the budget is very tight after buying all of the bits for the rewire etc. and needing to get new trailer parts to the point where I can't really afford to give it to a professional to sort out and certainly can't afford a new console.

So I need a plan to make it look ok'ish and get it on the water, is my best bet to put a plate over the complete top? I need to mount the compass and two plotters/sounders on the top as well.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Rob

WTF!!!

Never mind, it could have been worse; it could have been yer toooobs that resembled the latest budget plan.

Personally, I'd be speaking to Mike Whitham about a new console. It might not be as much as you imagine...

[Jizm]

Stainless or carbon plate over the lot.

[CJL]

A plate works fine, just make sure it's not too thick and has a bit of flex to it. Rigid plastics such as a thick perspex may shatter.

Chris

[CJL]

Plus I would mount that isolator switch in the console. They don't last very long otherwise!

Chris

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by desertrat

Ok so as part of the rewire I've discovered that the console on the boat has more holes then the latest budget plan!

Now unfortunately the budget is very tight after buying all of the bits for the rewire etc. and needing to get new trailer parts to the point where I can't really afford to give it to a professional to sort out and certainly can't afford a new console.

So I need a plan to make it look ok'ish and get it on the water, is my best bet to put a plate over the complete top? I need to mount the compass and two plotters/sounders on the top as well.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Rob

Jaysus man! I didn't know woodworm attacked GRP. Fill the holes & find yerself a nice capping plate as the others have said. Failing that, you can make GRP sheet yourself in the correct colour. Get a piece of smooth Melamine faced chipboard from B&Q, wax it, gelcoat it in the colour of your choice, lay up a couple of layers of mat & peel it off, voila! GRP sheet. Cut it to the shape you want, flocoat the edges, Bed it onto the console on a good layer of mastic & fix with some nice shiny stainless screws.

[Chris Caton]

have a word with Nugent, he's from you neck of the woods, I'm sure he could come up with a cost effective repair for you, and some advice on your wiring before you make a start

[biffer]

Feck me, looks like someone shot it

[Chris Caton]

maybe it's just for air circulation, stop the gauges misting up

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Jizm

Stainless or carbon plate over the lot.

If Buget is tight that and Pikeys avice is the way to goPluss you could use a new Fibreglass panel,in colour to match..The holes properly filled aren't really a structural problem...where as Cracks often are!
If you take some time and a little care you should get good end result.

[desertrat]

Well after reading the advice here (thanks very much everyone, it really makes it a lot easier with all the help from fellow rib netters) and spending an afternoon in the workshop this is where we are so far, and all the tat I've got to mount.

It's a bit quick and dirty but I'm just aiming for functional for now to get some use from the boat.

As suggested radio plate is fairly thin and flexible so it won't split. I've used a thick plate on top on purpose so that I can screw things to that without putting even more holes in the console, but again it's not Perspex so won't crack.

I will possibly look at a new console and some different seating in the future but I do like the fact that this console is small which gives lots of deck space as it will mostly be used for diving, towing the kids on a ring and pottering at the moment. That said I do want to come on some of the rib net rallies so will probably need more seats at some point.

I do need to have a word with Nugent as I'd like a screen and handle round it and reading on here he's the man for that.

As always comments welcome/appreciated.

[desertrat]

Well the rewire continues and we've managed to get some of the unpleasant bits done like all the cables run under the deck but as usual I've got another question. Has anyone had problems mounting a compass too close to the plotter?

The manual for the plotter says no closer than 1-2 feet from the compass but I've only got 1-2 inches of space on the top of the console!

Do you think it would be ok or should I remove the compass and rely on the fact that I have a hand held compass, one on the phone, 2 plotters etc?

[Maximus]

Personally the Line of sight Compass is the Mainstay and would be the LAST thing I'd take off
As to following a bearing/course on a hand held in any weather...forget it!
See other threads...

[nugent]

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

have a word with Nugent, he's from you neck of the woods, I'm sure he could come up with a cost effective repair for you, and some advice on your wiring before you make a start

Good lad,, cheers for the shout

I can cut yer sumat in acrylic.
or best bet is. 2mm Ali powder coated any colour yer wish with holes as and where req. for pennies ,

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by desertrat

rely on the fact that I have a hand held compass, one on the phone, 2 plotters etc?

You are a diver, wear a Suunto SK7 in a bungee mount on your left wrist. Well that is what I do anyhow.

To test the compass for function, unplug the GPS take a heading on the compass, then plug the GPS back in and turn it on. Does the compass move? If so it is too close. If it doesn't move, or so little you can barely notice then you are good to go.

[nugent]

Originally Posted by desertrat

Well the rewire continues and we've managed to get some of the unpleasant bits done like all the cables run under the deck but as usual I've got another question. Has anyone had problems mounting a compass too close to the plotter?

The manual for the plotter says no closer than 1-2 feet from the compass but I've only got 1-2 inches of space on the top of the console!

Do you think it would be ok or should I remove the compass and rely on the fact that I have a hand held compass, one on the phone, 2 plotters etc?

This may help

All as discussed yesterday. Most likely pop in Friday noon and move things to fit if that's ok

[Johnscubanut]

Originally Posted by desertrat

Well the rewire continues and we've managed to get some of the unpleasant bits done like all the cables run under the deck but as usual I've got another question. Has anyone had problems mounting a compass too close to the plotter?

The manual for the plotter says no closer than 1-2 feet from the compass but I've only got 1-2 inches of space on the top of the console!

Do you think it would be ok or should I remove the compass and rely on the fact that I have a hand held compass, one on the phone, 2 plotters etc?

You need to get the electronics well away from that compass. Switch them on & you will see how much deviation is caused by electronic gismos!
We had to raise the plotter up on a small frame to enable the compass to work properly!
Or maybe you could drop the compass to a lower position?
As you know electronic stuff does go wrong sometimes so the compass will get you back to safety.
Have fun-John

[nugent]

Originally Posted by Johnscubanut

You need to get the electronics well away from that compass. Switch them on & you will see how much deviation is caused by electronic gismos!
We had to raise the plotter up on a small frame to enable the compass to work properly!
Or maybe you could drop the compass to a lower position?
As you know electronic stuff does go wrong sometimes so the compass will get you back to safety.
Have fun-John

I was there yesterday. And compass was playing up. Convinced rob to move it lower down

[Johnscubanut]

Good man!

[scotty my boy]

Hi Nugent ~ I have a bad dose of the Swiss chees syndrome on the avon searider I am restoring. Liked your reply and wondered if you caul advise where to get the 2 mm alloy and acrylic for a new screen. Cheers Scotty