Updating a black helm?
 

I've seen a number of boats that have been updated from an old, black or grey helm to white. I know Sean had the helm of his Cafe re-gelcoated in white; wondering if that is the preferred method or if folks have painted them with any success? Seems like this goes a long way toward updating an older boat with a modern look.

Re: Updating a black helm?
 

I've thought about putting naugahyde over my black dash--would that be a viable option?

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I'm 41 and never seen a live naugha, how big do they get? are they mean? do they run in herds?:D...sorry guys had rough morning, had to laugh or I would be mean to employees.

Re: Updating a black helm?
 

Naugha's are like Manatee's and ex-wives--they travel in herds, they are def mean as hell, they have insatiable appetite for OPM--LOL !!!

Having same kind of day here--we've told employee's beatings will stop as soon as productivity, quality and attitudes improve--!!

Re: Updating a black helm?
 

:D Poorsche, updating a Formula dash is what I'm thinking. I've never seen a 311 or 357 that had been given the white treatment, but I've seen plenty of Cigs of similar vintage. I think an all white dash and new upholstery would make a 311 or 357 damn near perfect - they have beautiful classic lines as it is, a few cosmetic updates and.... :D

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I attached a few pics of boat and the black dash. I want to redo the whole dash in white or yellow--

I'm going to redo the interior also I'm going to use an UltraLeather like material from Majilux for upholtered cushions and back rests in cabin. I'm gonna use a solid surface material on counters.

I'm still looking for right flooring in cabin but leaning towards some vinyl planking the comes in strips that are 6" wide by about 30" long. I used it in a condo in Florida and it came out great--looks and feels like real wood.

More to follow but idea's and pictures of what others have done.

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Well Mikey, buy mine and start on the project, everyone will love the updates. There was a guy in the formula forum that did his white, he also made his own race faring.

Besides, poorsche has a few naughas on his property that he is willing to let go of rather cheaply....Rob

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Nort redid his 312 in white, and mopower did too.

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"Myboat1.jpeg"

You get a lot of boats trying to raft off of the trailer?
Or is that a permabumper? :D

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Gel does not come out smooth like paint would and you would spend alot of time wet sanding it down to get a smooth surface. It is more durable then paint would be but for the most part people just paint and take the easy road :)

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:D :D

Maybe he is getting ready to use the Drive-Thru at the local Micky D's!!!

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Nah, Nort just replaced the panel, I'm talking about the whole helm. I was thinking more like what Sean did with his Cafe.

Re: Updating a black helm?
 

I know he had the whole thing re-done in gelcoat, and I'm wondering if there is a reason to use gelcoat (which I imagine is a lot more work and/or requires special equipment and expertise) rather than painting with a durable product and clearcoat.

Close up of helm (many more pics of this boat at Sean's site, www.thunderboatalley.com)

Re: Updating a black helm?
 

That looks good.

You can do Gel coat too. It's not that bad. But don't breathe the chit. Serious.

Mix the crap up, coat it.
Sand it. Seal it.

Whatever you do.... don't breathe the fumes.
I breathed just a little once and was no good for three days.

25 years of drinking didn't kill any brain cells, but two days of Gel coat did.

Re: Updating a black helm?
 

dash, hell I did the hole boat in gell coat. In Black of all colors. And yes it is a LOT OF WORK :)

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I think this may be what you are talking about. I gutted the entire cockpit, sanded away the black, had new Gauge panels and switches made by Team Marine. Also new gauges, throttles and all the door and cover panels converted to white. The interior seats will be yellow. I am getting close to done.

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Hawk .... yours is painted .....right ? (white)

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That boat looked pretty sweet ...I have the pic at home and will post it ....I believe the thread is gone ....

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Yes it is painted. I had the boat and cockpit painted at once.

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Dockrocker-

I redid a 1991 formula 311 and built my own fairing too. If you are going to redo a formula dash paint it. The dash is a plastic product not fiberglass so I don't think gel would work. But if you paint the dash make sure you use a plastic adhesion promotor. I used Sherwin Willams paint so the product code is UPO7226 - Plastic Adhesion Promotor. The link below is my entire boat build from last winter. Attached are a few after pictures of the boat was painted.

Don

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ht=project+311

Re: Updating a black helm?
 

The marine industry (The Man) is oppressing the black helms.

Is my helm not good because IT'S BLACK??

You don't see them changing Jesse Helms.

So now my boat (The Neighborhood) is devalued because I have a black helm?

This is wrong. I can't believe that it has come to this. Maybe my black helm does get hot in the summer, and I have to put a towel or dew rag on it to keep it cool.
Is it less a helm?
Do the gauges not read because they are black? No. They work hard and read true. Even if they do have purple trim.

We need a voice against the white helm tyranny.
I have a dream that one day white helms and black helms will grace the same boat shows. From Miami to Cleveland little black helms on Jet Skis and big white helms on offshore boats will be happy to be on the water together. And these helms will live in a world free of me having to change my helm to white just because it's an 87.
And when I go to sell my boat, and somebody judges the boat not by the color of it's helm, but by the content of the survey.... I will scream from the mountaintops....
"Sold at Last... Sold at Last... Lord Almighty the New One's Fast."

Black Helm Power.

Peace Out. :D

Re: Updating a black helm?
 

I'd do paint myself. A lot less work, and the result is as good or better than gel.

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But will your helm pick cotton?:D

Ducks was the boat I was reffering too!!

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Fund, I agree with your point. Everyone says they want to upgrade to white, because it dates the boat. When will the white start to date the boat?

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Black helm power.

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I'm planning to paint mine this spring. I'd do paint before gelcoat also because on my 89 272, the paint looked new when the gel got chalky. No discrimination here though, mine's a weathered grey which will never be in style again.

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Bill has a mulatto helm :D

dg - didn't realize that the Formula helm is plastic? That seems weird, I would've thought it was a molded fiberglass piece.

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well mines cracked ...cpl of places .....I was thinking it Fiberglass ....anyone elses cracked ?

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I like my black helm on my 311.
And I'm pretty sure it's 'glass.
Won't swear to it till I get a chance to check..

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I have noticed the trend back to black, but like I said, mine is grey with some waterspots on the port dash that don't rub out. Fred, I'm looking at something like your first pic where the dash is still white, but the gauge panel is black. The new Formulas are like that too, with black (carbon fiber maybe?) or red dash panels. I do like the idea of being able to change the look by painting just the panels.

I'm not ready to jump on the bandwagon for that second pic though. It looks good on that boat, but I don't see a tan interior ever going in mine. It's an interesting look, but why the white controls?? Polished or black would have been much better.

Re: Updating a black helm?
 

Black Helm Power!

On a sunny day, a black helm with white guages are easier to focus on.

Fund Razor, you're a funny guy. :D