Opinions wanted: dash redo
 

Well, I know how hard it is to get people on this site to voice their opinions.....yeah right.
I'm looking to update the dash on my 1984 Excalibur, sort of.
I want to replace all the gages and redo the panels that hold them, but I want to retain the 1970 -1980s look.
The Ritchie compass stays.
The aluminum gage pods sticking out the top were factory installed so I am keeping them.
The trim and tab indicators will stay in the same spot.
The speedo is where it is only because that's where the throttles were, so that gets moved (and replaced).
Please let me here some opinions on gage brand and style
Additionally panel color and layout.

Here is the current set up:

Here is the overall 'dated' look of the boat.
That's right, black windshield frame and smoked glass (redoing same this winter)
Racing stripes sewn into the interior and the old 'mopar' style scoops in the hatch.
If this ever comes back in style, I'll be ready!

Don't be shy, tell me how you think i should do the dash.

contact Wally!
he's the man.

Hey Dan,
I'll find a picture of Mr. Cigs dash to post tonight. He used black team marine panels with gaffrig platinum gauges. It looks fantastic and may give you the look your after. If you go Gaffrig give Wally a call. He may have some good ideas for you also. He has redone many dash's.

Are you going to be home tonight? I was planning to head up to Boat US tonight and want to get you a copy of the video.

Dan

What is up with all the guages up top?

Jon

I have to agree, I don't like the look of the top mounted "Banana" guages. Get rid of them.

It doesn't seem to need a re-do unless you are board with it. I think a flashy dash on an older boat looks out of place and takes away from the rest of the boat. If anything, like candyman suggested, go with platinum faced guages to break up the black dash. The pods on top look "messy". That may be a good place to start.

Heres a pic of MrCig's dash :cool:

Hey how about something like this? bear in mind the switches on the left are not sized cause this was just a quicke job but i think it would turn out looking good :)
heres waht i did...
move the tachs a little appart
move the gauges under tachs same distance
move the gauges on the left half up and half down and then take the six gauges on the top of the dash an move them into the main dash area and inbetween the tachs. I got rid of the speedo and moved your trim/tab switches there that way they are at your figer tips when on the throttles. and got rid of the switches on the lower left and put some carlington types in there (ofcourse there would be more but i couldnt size it correctly but you get the idea! :D I'd also move that Cig lighter plug to the loxwer dash area maybe to the right of the switches?
Wheres the speedo you ask? well i see you have a GPS on top so why not use that for you speed? any thoughts from anyone else? :)

As for gauges.....i was thinking along the same route as Fred.....Carbon fiber face with chrome trim rings.....not bezels cause i dont think you can squeeze them in there. maybe some of the super rims? :)