Instrument Pod

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yachtorion

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So I've decided that I want to mount instruments in a flying pod over the companion way hatch. It's a Horizon 26. I'm thinking about how to make or buy the pod. Ideas so far:

  1. Buy Pod - something like this perhaps http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Over-Hatc...tEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item2a451403dd
  2. Hybrid - fit a teak plank or a metal rail, screw two/three of these to it - http://www.force4.co.uk/444/Nasa-Clipper-Pod-Moulding-Assembly.html
  3. Make it - perhaps from Acrylic, or ply.... trying to make a mould to do it in GRP seems like too big of a job.

I wondered if anyone had any experience or ideas?
 
I made one from ply with a white 5mm acrylic front plate for the instruments. Not too difficult and looks good. Pictures are in my article on a new NMEA2000 instrument setup in PBO last year, October edition I think.
 
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Easy to make in 6mm plywood to get the curves and complex shaping, so no heavy woodwork. Then finish by laminating with fine weave glass fibre and resin. Finish off with a colour matched flow coat for a proper job.
Far more satisfying than buying from eBay and a nice job to see off the winter.
 
Much depends on whether you enjoy the satisfaction of making one, I did it for a previous boat. Made a plug from layers of MDF glued together then shaped, filled until smooth and varnished. Layed up a mould from that coated liberally with beeswax and release agent and layed up the panel.

Costwise there isn't much difference in price unless you already have the materials to hand and now they're available off the shelf, I would be tempted to buy one.
 
GrahamM376 said:
Much depends on whether you enjoy the satisfaction of making one, I did it for a previous boat. Made a plug from layers of MDF glued together then shaped, filled until smooth and varnished. Layed up a mould from that coated liberally with beeswax and release agent and layed up the panel.

Costwise there isn't much difference in price unless you already have the materials to hand and now they're available off the shelf, I would be tempted to buy one.
Click to expand...

Agree with that. I made a pair of pods for Ariam using clay as a mould (you paint it with a kind of plastic sealing paint before using as a plug). Worked very well and I'm pleased with the results, but it was quite a lot of work and it's not cheap if you have to buy all the materials from scratch. However, there was no way any commercial pod was going to fit in the space I had available, so DIY was the only option.

Pete
 
It is quite satisfying making your own custom GRP moulding, and a great project for the winter months. I haven't made anything as big as a pod, but I did make a GRP moulding to flush-fit an autopilot control panel into the cockpit coaming.
 
Have a look at making the pod using a foam core.
Super light and strong, very good insulation for the instruments, can be any shape at all including compound curves to match the rest of the boat. totally waterproof and most importantly, easy to build.

Have a look on u-tube at foam construction to give you some ideas.

I have built quite a few over the years, not all for myself but for clients.

And yes you can stand it without damaging it.

To get foam to form a curve you simply make a number of cuts all but all the way through, then bend to check you have enough cuts, then add some resin and filler and bend to the required curve and let it set.

then sand it smooth ready to flow coat or paint. You can even purchase re usable silicon mats to reproduce the non slip pattern if you think you like that look.

Built in fasteners so no ugly bolts showing and better security. Add back lights, extension speakers or whatever you desire.

Customise the face plate with some clear lexan add your own logo with background colour and texture of your choice.

Good luck and fair winds. :)
 
If you chose to make a mould and produce your own customized GRP version, don't forget to advertise it to the Hunter Owners' Association now you can run them off in numbers. Might as well rake back the development costs and save others the bother!

Rob.
 
Try a cheap motor factors look for taxi roof signs i got one for a boat once and it fitted treat think it was about £30 but it was awhile ago
 
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