pilothouse instrument dash panels

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  • brewspore
    Supporting Member
    • Aug 2019
    • 92

    pilothouse instrument dash panels

    Starting to upgrade my 490 pilothouse dash electronics.

    New displays will need new holes so on my checklist are new dash panel(s). The stock dash panel is the classic faux wood which looks like ABS thermoplastic. I'm not particularly attached to this style.

    Spoke to a guy on the dock who said he used stainless plate. Does not sound easy to work with!

    Any experience with different panel materials?
    2005 Meridian 490
    Tacoma, WA
  • Destiny_4588
    Supporting Member
    • Sep 2007
    • 1431

    #2
    We used G10 fiberglass board and paint it (see pictures, we like flat black) but I know some use Plastics shops to do the cut outs and Lucite, or acrylics that come in various colors and textures.
    Mark
    USCG OUPV
    1990 4588
    Carlsbad, CA

    Comment

    • cosmo777
      Seasoned Member
      • Mar 2007
      • 870

      #3
      Check here. Mike was a BOC member and has done panels for many of us, me included.

      Pat
      Paragon
      1999 4788

      Comment


      • tom
        tom commented
        Editing a comment
        We used A plus for ours. They were great! Panels and service!
    • higgins_jr
      Guru
      • Feb 2011
      • 1848

      #4
      Assuming the Meridian 2005 models were the same as the 2000 4788’s, the base material is alum sheet with the faux coating applied, the cutout holes die pressed. While you can pick a different substrate, the major issue is the attachment of the existing gauges - they are rear mounted with the speed nuts glued/fixed to the rear plate! Unless you’re changing out all the gauges to be front drop in, better figure out that aspect before you get too far down the track!

      Cheers
      John H
      Brisbane QLD Aust
      "Harbor-nating"

      2000 - 4788/Cummins 370's

      Comment

      • brewspore
        Supporting Member
        • Aug 2019
        • 92

        #5
        John - good point, I'll check the rear plate for fixed fittings
        2005 Meridian 490
        Tacoma, WA

        Comment

        • ksanders
          Site Team Member
          • Jul 2001
          • 7573

          #6
          I replaced the panels on my 2001 4788 when we did the repower in 2011.

          Not only are the OEM gauges attached via studs on the back of the panel, they also use different sizes holes. I know this because I sent Mike the old panels to use as a template and he made me pretty new panels.

          Then when we went to install them the hole sizes were not standard instrument hole sizes. This forced me to order a 2nd set of panels with the proper hole sizes for aftermarket gauges.

          My opinion is that if you are going to replace the panels, bite the bullett and replace all the gauges at the same time. This will save a lot of heartache down the road when a instrument goes bad and you need a aftermarket replacement..

          KEVIN SANDERS
          4788 DOS PECES - SEWARD ALASKA - LA PAZ BCS MEXICO


          Whats the weather like on the boat
          https://www.weatherlink.com/embeddab...59665f4e4/wide


          Where am I right now? https://maps.findmespot.com/s/XLJZ#history/assets

          Comment

          • GregorBerlin
            Frequent Contributor
            • Jun 2018
            • 65

            #7
            My carpenter veneered plastic panels with the same wood as my furniture on board. Now I need new gauges. I'm reading from Faria gauges but can't find the right one. Does anyone have an address for me? Are there any alternatives to the original gauges?

            Comment


            • guntar
              guntar commented
              Editing a comment
              Greatlakes Skipper still has stock on many gauges that will work.
          • ksanders
            Site Team Member
            • Jul 2001
            • 7573

            #8
            We used VDO engine gauges, Aetna Tachometers, and Isspro egt and boost gauges

            This is a live shot. We are underway to set our shrimp pots out.



            KEVIN SANDERS
            4788 DOS PECES - SEWARD ALASKA - LA PAZ BCS MEXICO


            Whats the weather like on the boat
            https://www.weatherlink.com/embeddab...59665f4e4/wide


            Where am I right now? https://maps.findmespot.com/s/XLJZ#history/assets

            Comment


            • GregorBerlin
              GregorBerlin commented
              Editing a comment
              Thank for Your live shot. Greetings in the Derickson Bay. Beautiful landscape!
          • dayodan
            Fresh Face
            • May 2021
            • 13

            #9
            Does anyone know where to get replacement gauges? - 1997 vintage

            Comment

          • DASH400
            Frequent Contributor
            • Aug 2020
            • 34

            #10
            Does anyone know whether Mike at Mobil Graphics Design is still doing panels? I've e-mail him with no Response.

            Comment

            • Woodsea
              Supporting Member
              • Sep 2012
              • 1538

              #11
              I used Somesailor to do our panels. He did a nice job for us. Not sure if that is the same guy you are asking about.
              2000 4788 w Cummins 370's, underhulls, swim step hull extension
              12' Rendova center console with 40HP Yamaha
              MV Kia Orana
              Currently Enjoying the PNW

              Comment

              • Metrodriver
                Guru
                • Jul 2019
                • 1703

                #12
                Check for aircraft electronics (avionics) installers. They often build new panels as older radio's and instruments go obsolete and new equipment is being mandated. There is a big push now towards flat-panel displays replacing the traditional instruments that have been used since the early days of aviation. Most of these shops can cut round and square holes of various sizes in aluminum which can be powdercoated, covered in vinyl or veneer, annodized....
                1989 2159 Trophy Hardtop
                5.8L OMC Cobra
                2 1/2 year restoration project after "all you need to do is put the rebuilt engine back in".
                Mountlake Terrace, WA

                Comment

                • Destiny_4588
                  Supporting Member
                  • Sep 2007
                  • 1431

                  #13
                  We used a great company here in So. Cal called Common Ground. They panels are made from a G-10 epoxy glass. s panel material and the do the layout in a cad/cnc system...https://commongroundmarine.com/
                  Here some pictures of the end result. I personal wanted flat black panels and hinges to quickly access the area under dash ....they look as good today as when we did it 6 years ago now...

                  Attached Files
                  Mark
                  USCG OUPV
                  1990 4588
                  Carlsbad, CA

                  Comment

                  • Simonsen
                    Supporting Member
                    • Feb 2015
                    • 1192

                    #14
                    Mark - your dash looks awesome!
                    1989 Bayliner 3888 175 Hino’s - Mahal
                    (Past)1997 Bayliner 2588 Cierra 7.4 Bravo 1 - Mahal
                    (past)1997 Bayliner 4788 w/330 Cummins - Phoenix
                    (past) 1987 Bayliner 3218 w/135 Hino - True Story

                    Comment

                    • DASH400
                      Frequent Contributor
                      • Aug 2020
                      • 34

                      #15
                      Thanks all, I was able to get ahold of Mark.

                      Comment

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