98 Adventure needs dash update! Need help

[mac83]

I’m going to be taking off this ugly dash cover and constructing a new dash. I’m wanting to upgrade my Lowrance 7 inch unit to at least 9 inches. I’d love to hear everyone’s opinion here. Not to start a war, but just anyone’s advice on size and personal experience. I mainly fish Chesapeake Bay and local rivers... flounder, cobia, and rockfish.

Has anyone done a Similar project? I want to use word core and then glass and gelcoat finished product.

Thanks for all of the advice!

 

[leeccoll]

Different hull, but I ditched both acrylic covers for my 228's electronic box and dash gauges.
Not enough room for VHF anywhere so bought an updated (oversized lol) one and mounted on dash, others have moved it into cuddy. Contemplated that too, but to each their own.
Made cover for Humminbird from 1/4" plywood. I was thinking of gelcoat finish as well, but I already had enamel spray paint cans from another project, so went that route.
Dash was made from 1/2" Starboard.
You will love the update, no matter which direction you decide.
Post us some after pics!
Lee

 

[seasick]

i have my vhf radio mounted 'under' the helm. That frees up electronics box space. I run two 5 inch displays, one for plotter and one for sonar. I like the box and the swing down plexi cover. It lets me store a few tings in the box, like my phone.
I think a 7 inch display would fit but doubt that two of them would.

 

[bricecasebeer]

I’m going to be taking off this ugly dash cover and constructing a new dash. I’m wanting to upgrade my Lowrance 7 inch unit to at least 9 inches. I’d love to hear everyone’s opinion here. Not to start a war, but just anyone’s advice on size and personal experience. I mainly fish Chesapeake Bay and local rivers... flounder, cobia, and rockfish.

Has anyone done a Similar project? I want to use word core and then glass and gelcoat finished product.

Thanks for all of the advice!

Did you ever end up making any changes? Would love to see some more ideas.

 

[steveditt]

Removed side and dash panel took them to a body shop and were painted same method used to paint dash boards close to grady white , radio cabin , external speaker , Garmin GPS /fish i think is seven inch inside the box .

 

[blindmullet]

I did the switches last year. I made a mold and made a solid glass sheet. Covered it in a carbon fiber wrap.

 

[apostleislandsphoto]

I did a similar project this spring on my 2005 Adventure, using Starboard. Although I would have preferred larger, the 9" Garmin was the biggest chart plotter that would fit without really hacking things up.

 

[J&MGrady]

Removed side and dash panel took them to a body shop and were painted same method used to paint dash boards close to grady white , radio cabin , external speaker , Garmin GPS /fish i think is seven inch inside the box .

Great idea-would be great to see picture of finished product!

 

[steveditt]

Five years dash needs to be redone ,might try to do in place , first time a body shop did the work it wasn't expensive I also don't know if a clear coat would help keep it clean .These were brown !

 

[J&MGrady]

Thanks for the pics and the idea for the auto body shop for the dash and side panels; they look great; I’ll give it a try!

 

[Greyduk]

I replaced my upper and lower dash panels with 1/4" starboard. Put in 2 Garmin 7" machines. 2000 GW 226.

 

[doug228]

How do you find the two 7s?? I wanted a 10...it won't fit without getting really custom I. My 1997 228. Then I found a good deal on the 7/942xsv. Considering two 7s or one 9.

 

[Greyduk]

How do you find the two 7s?? I wanted a 10...it won't fit without getting really custom I. My 1997 228. Then I found a good deal on the 7/942xsv. Considering two 7s or one 9.

I like the 2 sevens just fine . They give me enough size for my old eyes to be able to see. Also there is a benefit that if one machine goes down you can do everything you need to with the one machine. When I bought the boat it had one of the machines already there, so I bought another on ebay and reconfigured the dash panel. There was just enough room so that I did not have to do any cutting of the electronics box. Access was easy through the drop down box in the cabin.