Dashboard

Dashboard


Ok, so boats are officially alive and are most definitely female.
They have the ability to coerce their men into doing things they didn't wish to tackle just yet without actually saying any words, but merely pointing them in the direction they wish them to go.

At the weekend my plan was to finish with the LED lighting in the cockpit, let's say about 2 hours work there, and then to mount the new spotlight on the bow.  Wiring loom could wait until the weather turned wetter as it's an inside job, but Destiny had other idea's.

Another leak has shown itself but this should be an easy one to rectify as it's the windscreen rubbers that have perished, plus I think the problem has been exacerbated by the recent lifting in and out of the water.
Temporary fix applied until the weather becomes more suitable for permanent windscreen repair.

The horn switch was jury rigged to the toggle switches on the dashboard, a strange idea but it seemed to work ok for the time being, but I had a plan to remove the dashboard next year, add a proper horn switch and replace the toggle switches with a larger set and replace the vinyl which would smarten the cockpit up considerably.
A good winter job that was purely cosmetic and could wait until next season is over.

The fuse on the horn had blown and it was a 30 second job to remove the fuse from it's holder and replace it with new.  When the holder was removed the whole thread was perished and simply crumbled away, not a problem as I could use the holder from the blank below the horn switch, but of course this had the same problem.
Nothing for it but to move my dashboard plans forward to this year and replace the whole toggle switch set for new.

Dashboard is now completely removed with all the clocks, steering mechanism and throttle body stripped off and toggle switch holder enlarged for new replacements.
However there is some good news.
When the 39 year old vinyl was removed the wood beneath is in quite good condition, I have sanded it back and is now in the garage with the third coat of varnish applied.  I have to say that it's looking promising that I won't need to recover with new vinyl, but only time (and another 7 coats of varnish), will tell if that's the case.

Watch this space.

Old dashboard photos below, more to follow when the varnish dries.



Been to the boat today to refit the dashboard.  I can't remember whether it's 8 or 9 coats of Tonkinois varnish but I think you'll agree that the finish is a marked improvement over the old vinyl covering.







1 comment:

  1. Whos gonna drop sumit on it and scratch it first? lol I`m going nowhere near it, you`ll have to take the wheel off if you want me to do a turks head on it!!

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