Dash Update
 

Somebody said this section needed more action, so here's some.

I am "updating" my dash.
Updating is a relative term, because my boat is 20 years old. I have no plans on updating the boat to try to pass it off as something newer than it is.
I am keeping the dated paint job, black windshield and pleated and rolled interior.
Therefore white gages won't fit in with the plan.
I am replacing the black plastic panels with aluminum panels painted black.
Gages will be autometer carbon fiber (marine version).
Here is the original:

Here's the "updated" version (photoshop):

There are 4 fewer gages, I removed:
2 amp gages, I will have voltage so who needs amps.
2 hour meters, I am moving them to the bottom panel with the ignition switches.

We didn't have time to cut and paste the new style switches (to the left of the wheel) and the relocated hour meters, but you get the idea.
Tachs are 5"
Gages are 2-1/16"
GPS is shown for size Garmin 188 color is what I'm thinking of using.
Drink holder in front of the throttles where the current speedo is.

The GPS unit has a very large digital speedo read out (on one screen).

Feedback?

Here's what it's in:

lookin good I like the bezels. Are you going to change the steering wheel or keep that one?

It is going to look great. We are definitely going to make it up there this year.

Zanie i really like the older paint job on your boat. We had to get rid of ours. The "rainbow boat" is no more.

Here is a pic of our dash as it sits now. We have sanded and painted the cockpit.

EH40:
Very Cool!
Chrome throttles with the trim switches...........drool drool!!!

FWK:
I'm gonna make it down to LOTO this year!

Just Once: I'm WAY over budget, Iam gonna have to retain the wheel.

DS

Glad to hear it. Make sure you let me know when to make sure we will be down there.

I am getting ready to start on my dash also. I've got all original gauges(from '85) and the textured vinyl dash covering. Got Gaffrig II gauges w/red bezels, new black lexan, and gonna recover the dash in white. I'm gonna keep the original wheel since it has the Excalibur logo.

Previous owner pitched my original wheel when hydraulic steering was installed. I did find the plastic horn button with the Excalibur emblem molded in.
DS

Zanie-
What is the size and year of your boat?

Ok.. I guess is must be a 31

You only gave me 3 minutes to answer?
:D
Yep it's a 31.

It looks good Zanie......Fred

ExcaliberHawk40....Your dash looks great also......are you going to use the old lexan hinged cover over the gages as it was originally?......Fred

Zanie,

I plan to update mine this winter too. I'm waiting to see how maney other things require $$$ first. I like the period look which is one reason I like the boat, but I'll go the white route on the dash. I thought WhiteDiamonds/DiamondBoy/Spencer (not sure of his OSO name) did a nice job on his, but it really wasn't to my taste.

I've noticed a regular supply of Gaffrig guages and panels from Baja's for sale on Ebay. I wonder what's up with that?

Robert

Talk to Too Old for guages and other parts. I have the excalibur horn button also but it will not fit the new wheel. I changed out the guages as i hated the look of the teleflexes that came on the boat.

Fred-Thanks, im not sure what to do about that. It looks nice as it is, but i think we will try the lexan cover. We have had all new white and Clear panel covers made, just cant decide about the clear yet.

Nice updates you guys....
I did my scarab KV dash last winter. Took out the original black VDo gauges from '82 and did all new aluminum painted white panels and gaffrig gauges that have yellow rims w/ teal bezels. I also put in the newer style toggle switches, painted the original trim panel white, getting new trim indicator as we speak as well as compass. And finally got white gaffrig throttles. The colors were a perfect match. I posted a thread on this sometime last spring. Anyway, I don't have a pic on this computer, since I am in Europe, but will be back for summer and hope to meet some of you at LOTO!!!