As I'm going through my virtual project (virtual, as it exists only in my head... being boatless and broke is starting to affect my mind, I think...), I'm at the point where I'm building a new dash with modern gauges.

So, would you group the gauges by function, ie oil temp together, water temp together, etc, or would you group them by engine?

How do the manufacturers group them? My last boat was a single, and I'm hoping my next will be twins. Just wondering if there is a general consensus on how it should be done...

I like function. That way I can look at guages and instead of looking what they are and were they are pointed I can just look and see that they are pointed in the same direction and I am good.

Jon

by function

i think i'll hafta agree with audio on this one because . . . well . . . . his opinion actually counts now that he has a working boat in the water . . .


hey as long as we're on the subject how do you feel about rotating the gauges so that when in operation the needls all point straight up. i have seen race cars set up like this so that all you need is a quick glance to know if anything is off . what do ya think

Glassdave I think we are all a little to vain to have our guages all over like that Porsche started that with the Tachs.

Jon

. . i dunno . . i'm a little to vain to blow up my chit, i want good engine info . . . . . .


by the way, my opinion carries a little less weight as of 8:00 pm this evining . . .i sold the day cruiser, so i have no working boat. dont pick up the new boat for atleast a week or two.

my preference is by function

Without a doubt - By Function

RPM - RPM
Oil - Oil
Water - Water
etc.

Check out a military fighter's cockpit sometime. It's designed for a fast scan in a life or death environment! Think about it.

That's kind of what I was thinking - you need to be able to grab a quick look-see as you're bouncing across the waves. Is it pretty much SOP for the builders to group them by function? I'll have to take a closer look at the fall boat show next week...

Mine are grouped by engine. I know sometimes I'll grab a quick glance at them and think the oil pressure is the temp gauge and my heart is in my throat for a second. I agree, by function.