need some ideas - my brain is all worn out
 

I actually have given this a good bit of thought but most of my solutions are not simple and I thought I'd tap the collective pool of common sense and practical thinking I've been reading on the forum. If you want to help, please look at dash pictures on http://www.theboatzone.com/gallery/cs01?&page=6 and page 8

Re: need some ideas - my brain is all worn out
 

ran out of room - the area to post kept shrinking. Too many solvents inhaled yesterday!
Anyway - help. I need suggestions on something simple to fill the hole on the dash and a simple way to repair the area of the dash where the light is mounted right on top of the SeaCraft logo?

Re: need some ideas - my brain is all worn out
 

You could just cover it up with starboard and remount your gauges/switches. It's easy and cheap, looks pretty clean.

http://www.classicseacraft.com/Sirotnak23console.jpg

Re: need some ideas - my brain is all worn out
 

Now we're talking! Thanks Billy Bob. I like your idea - simple ans straightforward. What version of Lowrance machine is that you have mounted? How do you like it's performance?

Re: need some ideas - my brain is all worn out
 

That is an lcx-15mt, and I liked it.I just sold it though because I got a Garmin 2006C for Christmas.I love the Garmin's color and it has good mapping and the gsd20 sounder works great.It was a great gift but for 2 grand, I would have kept the Lowrance and got tabs or hyd steering.
Good luck.

Re: need some ideas - my brain is all worn out
 

To keep the woodgrain look, maybe a type of Formica? maybe overlayed and use the old one to drill the switch holes exact from the back.

Re: need some ideas - my brain is all worn out
 

You could always buy a thin piece of teak the size you need. The teal will look really classy, and doesn't cost that much more than starboard in small sizes. (Never, never have wood screws bite into teak you don't want to crack or split, use machine screws and nylock nuts.)

Re: need some ideas - my brain is all worn out
 

This is how my console is starting to lay out. I used 1/4 inch starboard to patch some smaller holes and placed the trim tab switches and accessory socket in them. The instrument panel is just plexi that I had lying around. I'm considering using teak veneer plywood for the final version.
http://members.cox.net/rhstg44/SeaCr...20Progress.JPG

Re: need some ideas - my brain is all worn out
 

I have been searching the synthetic teak sites. I'd love to keep the wood look, but without the teak maintenance.

Re: need some ideas - my brain is all worn out
 

Rowmark has some really neat engravable acrylic sheets. You can get solid colors, simulated wood (not sure if it's suitable for outdoor use though) or even simulated granite.

http://www.rowmark.com/secondary.asp...ls/default.asp

Using this would allow you to have the switch functions and the big SeaCraft logo engraved on the panel.

I've used this stuff before and it yields very nice results.

http://cablespeed.com/%7Ebriandm/pro...mentpanel6.jpg

http://cablespeed.com/~briandm/misc/...alconsoles.jpg

Good luck.