Dashboard Ideas

sblake161189

sblake161189

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Joined
7 Apr 2009
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38
Location
Leeds
www.theacidfrog.com
Hi All

Seeing as Im really impressed with this forum and how helpfull everyone seems to be, I might aswell post a few more questions on here.

I decided to completey sand my boat down take everything off so I was left with a bare hull/top again. The pics below are after the sanding down, hence why it doesn't look the best in paintwork. Im struggling to think how I can make my dash look any better after its paint job, the small holes on the right are need for the steering (on the floor on the pic) but the big cut out on the left is not needed and I would like it filled in. I have no idea what its original function was im guessing a glovebox of some description, never the less it needs to disapear. I could put a blank plate in, but surely you would still be able to see its outline. I have seen pics of some with their dash covered in vinyl and padded with soft foam.

Any ideas of how make my dash look really good?

Any other interior pics from anyone else with a small, oldish, fletcher speedboat?

Copy of DSC00598.jpg
 
A sheet of 4-5-6mm ply covered in vinyl would be fine - if that's a look you're happy to get. Consider attaching with sikaflex or 3m velco, to avoid screws showing. There are some modern vinyls that have a cloth feel to them, if you fancy that. Or some have geometric patterns, instead of the fake leather grain. Loads of choices these days.

This would simply cover the left hand cut out. Also, maybe put a batten on the far side of the plywood, along the bottom edge, to form a lip to cover the bottom edge of the GRP and form a softer edge for tops of thighs

Another alternative is veneered plywood, also say 4mm, varnished, if you want a wood look. Or you can buy 2mm aluminium with a black or coloured thin paint-like pvc coating, but it will be hard to make the cut edges look good with that. Depends what look you want to achieve

The glove boxes are available I think, if you want to buy a new one
 
Lots of options really, some good suggestions already. You could glue some formica to an aluminium or plywood substrate. You can have metallic look, woodgrain, carbon fibre look, whatever you want. Alternatively, you could use a shower back panel which are sort of 4 mm plastic with different patterns. Or you could just use painted or varnished marine ply. Easy to shape any of the above with a router and a bit of patience.
 
This may give you an idea. I restored a Winner Cobra a few years back, still got it (although its up for sale as we speak on ebay...).

Anyway, the dash is just marine ply covered in foam then covered in vinyl. If its done right it is spot on for what is required in a speedboat of this era IMO..

The old dash;
n518639107_2333424_6678606.jpg

n518639107_2333422_6893584.jpg

The new vinyl just on;
n518639107_2333425_926704.jpg


The finished item!
n518639107_2333449_4951813.jpg
 
That spidery thing is indeed the fusebox. Is it how Winner did it..? ...Not sure... probably, but wouldn't swear on it. But works well, never had any issue with electrics since I restored it. Just to the left of the fuse box are three inset warning lights. Ignition, bilge pump and nav lights which I believe are original.
 
thanks for the ideas, im deffiantly liking this vinyl covered foam idea, with a sheet of plywood to back it. This would cover the gaps on my dash and give the vinyl something to wrap around and then be stapled to. A quick question to Firefly625... where did you get that foam and vinyl from? Looks very impressive and also where did you buy your carpet from. Ive found C&J marine, who seem good value but I dont know if you have found anywhere better?
Thanks
 
Remeebr to use stainless steel staples. Purchasable lots of places eg www.sea-screw.com

There are lots of upholstery suppliers. In no particular order, and all googlable

Boyriven
Toomer & Hayter
kayospruce
mastertrim.co.uk
others that I have forgotten...

That carpet is often just polypropylene corded carpet, available often in offcuts at little carpet shops or market stalls. It's quite thin, no foam backing, very cheap, the stuff landlords used to do student flats in! Often in charcoal grey. Glue down with evostik
 
Ahh, thanks for the info, will have a look through some of those websites - thanks /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

re carpet - are you saying the carpet from C&JMarine is bad?
 
No, C&J is a proper marine firm and their stuff is fine. All I'm saying is that a £20 offcut from the market is just as good imho. Remeber, carpet in a boat is sort of necessary but a bit of a crap idea. It gets wet. By the end of the season it can be manky, unless you keep the boat in your living room. Much better, imho, to get a cheap carpet that looks ok and change it every year @£20 per pop, than buy some expensive marine carpet for £100++ that will still look manky after a year
 
Sam - I think JFM has answered all your questions really. I got my Winner Cobra re-trimmed at BEHC in Walton-on-Thames (strangely I was with them a few minutes ago..). The front seats needed doing professionally so there was not an option for DIY, I could have done some of it, but I negotiated the job as a whole (around £1500 plus the carpet which was extra, and as JFM says, a bit pricey, but then I do keep my Winner in my living room so no probs there!) .
It is very easy to make trim look like a dogs dinner, so take care! Vinyl/ Foam / Carpet all sourced by BEHC... sorry, not very helpful really. My one bit of advice, pick a colour and stick with it through the boat. What are you planning to do with the GRP, obviously it looks a bit faded?
 
oh i know it looks faded, it looked better about 2hours before that pic was taken but then yesturday I sanded it all down for a new paint job.
Taken all the advice you guys have told me and I think I will proceed with vinyl/foam... will have a look at the weekend /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Thanks
 
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