My old Garmin 235 Sounder finally died this spring and I took the opportunity to replace it with some up to date electronics. I also decided to improve the looks of the helm by flush mounting the new chartplotter/sounder.
As you can tell, the old "glove box" was a great place to toss keys, iPod, phone, wallet, etc. but it did make for a very cluttered look. The Garmin was mounted on a gimbal to the left.
Here's a typical before shot of the helm:
After a lot of research into exactly what I could fit into the space I had to work with I decided on a Garmin 740s. I made a template of foam-core poster board from Staples that's easy to trim to size. I mounted the plotter for a dry fit before cutting up a piece of $$$ King Starboard.
The Seafoam colored starboard blended nicely with the colors and I attached from behind the helm by dropping the hinged glove box. I toyed with the idea of removing the door and fitting the panel to the front but decided that the door provided a little more protection from the weather and maybe some extra security. I really liked the cleaned up look of the unit.
I was so pleased with the 740s that I decided since I still had a lot of real estate I would purchase a 720 to use for charting and the 740s as my fishfinder. This really fills the space and I don't have to use the split screen to see charts/fish finder. I also added the Garmin fuel flow meter and a new Standard Horizon VHF with AIS. Next will come radar and I should be set.
As you can tell, the old "glove box" was a great place to toss keys, iPod, phone, wallet, etc. but it did make for a very cluttered look. The Garmin was mounted on a gimbal to the left.
Here's a typical before shot of the helm:
After a lot of research into exactly what I could fit into the space I had to work with I decided on a Garmin 740s. I made a template of foam-core poster board from Staples that's easy to trim to size. I mounted the plotter for a dry fit before cutting up a piece of $$$ King Starboard.
The Seafoam colored starboard blended nicely with the colors and I attached from behind the helm by dropping the hinged glove box. I toyed with the idea of removing the door and fitting the panel to the front but decided that the door provided a little more protection from the weather and maybe some extra security. I really liked the cleaned up look of the unit.
I was so pleased with the 740s that I decided since I still had a lot of real estate I would purchase a 720 to use for charting and the 740s as my fishfinder. This really fills the space and I don't have to use the split screen to see charts/fish finder. I also added the Garmin fuel flow meter and a new Standard Horizon VHF with AIS. Next will come radar and I should be set.
