Flybridge dash protection or not?

[MikeJ42]

Me being new to flybridges, I am a little concerned about my instruments getting a soaking. My experience of Volvo gauges is that they get misty if they get wet. Is it worth getting a see-through plastic cover made up? Am I being paranoid?

 

[asteven221]

Yes get a cover IMHO. I suspect they will stop working quite quickly if you let salt water and the rain soak them. I have to say though, that I haven't tried leaving them exposed over a prolonged period and always cover up our FB instrumentation. In any case, I suspect that they will be very expensive to replace, whilst if you factor in all the hassle and general unreliablity that you might experience, it just seems prudent to cover them up.

 

[mjf]

Me being new to flybridges, I am a little concerned about my instruments getting a soaking. My experience of Volvo gauges is that they get misty if they get wet. Is it worth getting a see-through plastic cover made up? Am I being paranoid?

Good question - I have seen and thought about doing the clear plastic sheet with press studs etc.

In practice I always FW wash the instruments and cover with the usual canvas covers - even at anchor to protect from rain and sun (occassionally ;-)).

Thus far zero issue and any slight condensation in the winter months on initial use soon disapears with the panel lights on anyway.

 

[peterandjeanette]

Yes. I had one made at the same time I had the full tonneau made. Uses the same stud fittings for the canvas cover. Special cutouts for steering wheel, throttles and bowthruster joystick. There is sufficient play in the plastic to be able to push any buttons required, even on the chartplotter.

 

[Ripster]

Good point this... when not in use, like most we keep everything all covered up. But when helming from "upstairs" apart from getting a bit of spray now and again, our instruments never been left exposed for any long period to Sea or rain. If we do take some splash over the top then they get very gently washed off at the end of the trip, then dried off before the covers go on. Not a bad idea getting a clear cover though... might look into that.

 

[Nick_H]

As you're asking about see through plastic, I guess you mean to leave on whilst underway? Personally i'd no sooner do that than have plastic covers on the saloon furniture, or floor mats on the teak. Unless you do most of your boating off Cape Horn then you're seldom going to get anything more than spray over the instruments, and they are supposed to be waterproof. I've always washed the instrument panel with a wet soapy sponge and then rinsed with a hose pipe, and never had a problem with water getting into the volvo gauges or any other instruments.

Put a cover over when you're not on the boat for sure, or overnight if rain is likely, but in my opinion a cover for underway is OTT.

 

[DAKA]

Put a cover over when you're not on the boat for sure, or overnight if rain is likely, but in my opinion a cover for underway is OTT.

Agreed, I put a fresh water hose over mine regularly , best to get the salt off the steering wheel/throttles and the VHF.

Its part of owning a nice boat and looking down at the gauges as you are cruising

3200 rpm
25 log
28 GPS
instruments all perfect
Gold St Christopher shinning in the sun

Cover that lot up with polythene ..........no thanks.

 

[MapisM]

ut a cover over when you're not on the boat for sure, or overnight if rain is likely, but in my opinion a cover for underway is OTT.

Seconded 100%.

 

[Marine Reflections]

A cover is vital for when you are not on board.

The UV will quickly ruin the finish on instruments, as will the salt air.

Auto glym do a fantastic cleaner (interior shampoo) that works well on instruments, very safe.

They also sell a silicon spray for protecting the various plastics, glass metalwork etc against water for that added protection.

Most failures with flybridge instruments (in my humble exp) have been caused by the back of the instruments losing earth connections through corrosion.
The Auto glymm silicon spray is also safe to apply on these areas and should prevent this from happening. Hopefully you should have fairly easy access to it.

A clear plastic cover for when you are using them I don't think is OTT if you really want to look after them, it saves dust & grit getting into the buttons.

Misty probs = Rain x anti-fog