Relocate Engine Instrument Panel (July 1996)

The original equipment instrument panel was located in the cockpit footwell, on the forward bulkhead. This was a convenient location for the wiring and the engine choke because the main electrical panel is directly forward and the engine is below this location. However, to start the engine, a person must be positioned low and forward in the cockpit. This means that the throttle and gear shift lever which are located on the steering pedestal are barely within reach. 

We decided that the most available and convenient location for the controls, at least for a right-handed person, would be aft, on the starboard side of the cockpit coaming.

The instruments, switches and choke cable are mounted directly into the coaming surface.  We drilled suitably sized holes, using a carefully made template. The original panel included an ammeter. In order to eliminate a long run of heavy-gauge wire, the ammeter was moved to the inside, main electrical panel. In its place, a new volt meter was installed in this remote panel.  The teak surround is made with half-lap joints and is held in place with screws that are driven from the inner side of the coaming. The hinged, polycarbonate cover is from the original panel. Only a new wiring harness and a longer choke cable were required.

We were fortunate that there was sufficient space inside the coaming to clear the hardware and provide space for access. This space is not the easiest place work in. However, the old, bridge deck location was even more difficult since one would have to lay on top of the engine to access the back of the panel. The new location is also drier because the bridge deck drain was directly above the panel.  

The bridge deck bulkhead required fiberglass work to fill the holes. We champfered all the edges to bond the new work to the old. The new show surface was smoothed and gel coated to match the original. The result is shown here. Still looks great, almost 20 years later.

Lessons Learned:

1. It is useful to “think out if the box” to find a solution to an annoying problem. It helps to keep your mind open to the things that you may see at a boat show or in a magazine.
2. Make sure that you consider all available spaces even if, at first glance, they appear to be too small or inaccessible.
3. This project returned rewards in comfort that far exceed the effort that went into it.