Is a boat really ever done?

**Papee** · 07-29-2014, 10:40 PM

In my case most likely not. I had to raise my drivers seat to make it more comfortable, this made the dash lower than originally designed. I had plans to make a new dash any way so I decided to relocate it and tuck it in beside the drivers seat. I moved it from there a few years ago because it got in the way of the swivel seat when fishing from that position when two or more people are fishing from the boat.

I decided since I had to redo the dash I would make a compact dash and tuck it in out of the way of the seat. I have the dash cut off now and have the old dash stripped and have the new dash laid out ready to cut and weld. I'll take some photos as I have progress.

**Papee** · 07-31-2014, 10:21 AM

I finished the dash up yesterday and figured I'd post the photos. It looks like the dash will be out of the way of my fishing where it's at but we'll see when I go out next time.

I marked out my design then cut it out. Since I don't have a bender I make some relief cuts so the piece will bend easier and where I want. They don't have to be deep.

I use a 32 tooth carbide blade on my circular saw to cut the aluminum. I set the saw so the blade is just deep enough to cut through the material. Doing this will allow you to cut an arch or curve if needed.

A tip while I'm thinking of it. When turning on the gas for your welder always turn the knob on completely until it stops. The way they are made they only seal correctly when all the way on or off. Just turning it part way may allow gas to leak by the valve shaft and shorten the time your bottle lasts.

**Papee** · 07-31-2014, 10:23 AM

I got busy and forgot to take photos of the process, but I bent it up, welded it, and painted. I cut all the openings for the gauges, switches and choke. I should have taken a bit more time sanding the corners, you can see the welds a little in the photo.

To cut the holes I just drill a bunch of small holes with a drill then ream them between holes until the piece comes out. Once I have the piece out I use a deburring tool on my air tool to clean up the holes and make any fitment adjustments.

**Papee** · 07-31-2014, 10:27 AM

I put the gauges and switches in and wired as much as I could on the bench. I like to solder and tape most of my connections rather than use crimps.

**Papee** · 07-31-2014, 10:30 AM

Then I just put it on the boat and finished up the wiring. For some of you that don't know, the big rocker switch is for my automatic anchor winch, you can see the anchor winch in the photo below on the bow of the boat.
I think I'll be happy with it at least for a while, I'm a tinkerer and I have a problem.

**Corky** · 07-31-2014, 11:30 PM

Nice job on the cluster..

... That really opened it up out in front of your seat...I bet that'll seem alot different...

**Papee** · 08-02-2014, 06:13 PM

I was out this morning for a while. It really makes a difference with that off. I wasn't using the front seat so I took it off for the Tripp too because I hauled a load of firewood out to camp. I was easily able to run 30 mph at about 3000 rpm. It also stayed on plane at a lower rpm and seemed to get on plane easier. I didn't have to give much throttle to get it up.