Sceptre Owners
 

How do you resolve the limited dash space at the helm for electronics? Over head box? Custom config?
From the pic's I've seen their doesn't seem to be any logical placement for any.

Re: Sceptre Owners
 

Finster,
I have 2 fishfinders, a VHF, and a handheld GPS. The color machine is mounted above the portside storage compartment, the other fishfinder is mounted on the helm dash just ahead of the steering wheel since it is a small unit, the VHF is mounted just inside the cabin entrance on the starboard side facing up so you can see it at the helm, and the GPS is mounted ahead of the wheel as well. If I ever get my hands on a digital camera, I'll post some pictures. It's not the most professional-looking setup, but it works.

Re: Sceptre Owners
 

I wonder if you can make a custom config. using starboarb or something so yo could flush mount everything, including engine gauges?

Re: Sceptre Owners
 

I've thought about the Starboard thing too. I'd like to remove the gauges from the original teak panel since it looks terrible and seems too far gone to bring it back, and also cover up some holes in the helm area caused by 20 years of use and an original twin OB setup - 2 sets of everything. I thought about getting 1/4" Starboard and mounting it to the helm area using 5200 and fairing the edges so it blends nicely with the fiberglass. Has anyone else done this, or should the holes be dealt with the old fashioned way - filling them with glass and re-gelcoat?

Re: Sceptre Owners
 

There is enough room to do that? Flush mount 2 medium size displays? (I use a Lowrance LCX-16ci, and would like to have a radar as well).

Re: Sceptre Owners
 

Sorry about that Finster - no there isn't. What I meant was I would cover up some existing holes on the helm area with Starboard, then remount all the existing gauges. With a single set of gauges, you may be able to flush mount a VHF in the dash panel, but that's about it. Everything else would have to be surfaced mounted, or if you were lucky enough to have a hardtop, use an overhead electronics box.

Re: Sceptre Owners
 

How about if you built it out further? (toward the wheel).
I had a simular problem with an older grady I had.

Re: Sceptre Owners
 

If you mean build out the dash panel closer to the wheel, then you'd be taking up the flat area where the engine controls (in the case of an OB)are mounted. Plus, there isn't much vertical distance between the top of the dash panel and the windshield. As you may know, the windshield on a 23' Sceptre is raked pretty steep, so there isn't much space to begin with. Unfortunately SeaCraft wasn't thinking too much about electronics when they designed this layout.

Re: Sceptre Owners
 

Yeah, and thats the place where your beer goes too. I suppose the only thing to do would be over top in a box. [img]images/icons/blush.gif[/img]
It sucks I have to be anal and somewhat retarded about where my electronic's go, but I guess somone has to. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Re: Sceptre Owners
 

If you figure something out besides an overhead box, let me know. I'd rearrange things if you built a better mousetrap.

Just make sure you keep a spot for the cold ones!

Re: Sceptre Owners
 

Finster,

You're not the only one. I'm in the middle of filling the million holes in the console of a 23CC. I'm stymied with the thoughts of which electronics to buy (there's so much cool stuff comin out) and exactly where to put it. I'm going to go with King Starboard too so I don't have to cut any (more) holes in the glass.

I've learned that (at least for me) that sensitive electronics don't really belong "up". Maybe it's the excessive speed...

Re: Sceptre Owners
 

Wow, hearing all you Sceptre guys complain make me thankful of the space on my 23 center console. I have a gps/plotter screen, a Sitex 106 colorscope, a gps/loran machine, my vhf and cd player mounted with room to spare. I didn't have room for my Raytheon 32 mile radar so I mounted that up by my compass. It sounds like a good suggestion would be to start with one of those combo plotter/fishfinder units. I just bought a garmin 2006c color unit with a 4000 watt black box bottom machine. Both can be used on the plotter screen as one or split screen. The lowrance unit receives rave reviews too. I can't wait to hook it up but first I need to finish that darned bracket project. I promise a killer picture gallery when I complete it! [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: Sceptre Owners
 

I agree with you Otto, I like having "stuff" straight ahead. I've never had an overhead box and the thought of it is not appealing for chartplotters, or radars.
We'll have to work on this delema, cause of course you still need room for the "cold one".

Yo Briguy, I have a Lowrance lcx16ci and it kicks butt, I would be happy with only that and a radar.

[ December 10, 2002, 06:17 PM: Message edited by: Finster ]

Re: Sceptre Owners
 

Northstar 951xd in the glove box ( port side) Raymarine l470 fishfinder mounted on starboard dash in front of guages (not blocking guages) And icom M402 vhf inside cabin, mounted on top, easily visible and equally easy to hear outside boat. When I'm fishing the back of the boat, I can read fish symbols in direct sunlight!

[ December 11, 2002, 08:48 PM: Message edited by: MARC ]

Re: Sceptre Owners
 

I have all my stuff in the electronics box over head angled toward the drivers seat/position. I can see it from the back of the boat. Have a radio in the cabin too. I will shoot a picture and post it. Keeps everything locked up, and dry. The only negative is that in the AM, sometimes if I am headed into the sun, it can be hard to see.