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2.5_stoker
07-30-2009, 12:48 AM
just bought an 86 stoker the thing has 10 holes in the dash for gauges...is it possible to plug a few of them up and make it appear as if they were never there?...id like to knock it down to maybe 6...what are my options??? thanks

shaun

http://i29.tinypic.com/egeubm.jpg

Mark Poole ModVP
07-30-2009, 11:34 AM
Plugging a few of them and making it look like they were not there has everything to do with the skill level of the person doing it. Drilling wood plugs with the correct size holes saws and glassing them in is a lot of work.

One option....Cut a piece of plexiglass, cut to fit the dash so it covers all the holes. Paint the plexiglass with black spray paint on the BACKSIDE (the side that will be against the dash). When you paint plexiglass on one side the other side now looks like glossy black plexiglass. Now, where ever you are going to install a gauge just make sure the boat dash is cut away behind it so the gauge clears.

jetwash127
07-30-2009, 11:53 AM
Just fill them with goffey gauges that do nothing. Most people will not have a clue
as to what they are. If some one askes, whats that gauge for? Make up a stupid name like O thats the till pressure of the influx manifold!

2.5_stoker
07-30-2009, 12:04 PM
Just fill them with goffey gauges that do nothing. Most people will not have a clue
as to what they are. If some one askes, whats that gauge for? Make up a stupid name like O thats the till pressure of the influx manifold!

lol...not a bad idea...the whole reason i want to plug the holes is because i think it looks tacky having the whole dash covered in gauges...the plex idea mentioned above might work...ill give that some thought....can anyone recomend a good glass and gel coat guy that might be able to help me out? like i said id prefer to make it look as if the guages were never there.

Hippie459MN
07-30-2009, 02:29 PM
One option....Cut a piece of plexiglass, cut to fit the dash so it covers all the holes. Paint the plexiglass with black spray paint on the BACKSIDE (the side that will be against the dash). When you paint plexiglass on one side the other side now looks like glossy black plexiglass. Now, where ever you are going to install a gauge just make sure the boat dash is cut away behind it so the gauge clears.

Very good idea. I was thinking of using aluminum for a dash panel on my vulture but I like that idea a bit better I think.. :)

Liberator*21
07-31-2009, 05:43 AM
Just fill them with goffey gauges that do nothing. Most people will not have a clue
as to what they are. If some one askes, whats that gauge for? Make up a stupid name like O thats the till pressure of the influx manifold!

Now that's some funny chit right there boy's.............Influx Manifold, isn't that connected to the Lower Unit Warp Drive ????:D:D:D:D

Dutch
08-02-2009, 11:09 PM
its easy, if i can do it, anyone can. lay some glass on the back of the dash.
cut the plugs and fill it in. if you cant finish it, get a carbon fiber sticker for the dash area. makes it look cool too. imo this looks more original than having a piece of something screwed to the dash.

HavasuDreamin'
08-13-2009, 09:56 AM
lol...not a bad idea...the whole reason i want to plug the holes is because i think it looks tacky having the whole dash covered in gauges...the plex idea mentioned above might work...ill give that some thought....can anyone recomend a good glass and gel coat guy that might be able to help me out? like i said id prefer to make it look as if the guages were never there.

Where are you located and where is the boat? Todd Griggs and a few others over at performanceboats.com can get it done right. There are several in So. Cal and LHC that can do it.

HD

2.5_stoker
08-13-2009, 06:39 PM
Where are you located and where is the boat? Todd Griggs and a few others over at performanceboats.com can get it done right. There are several in So. Cal and LHC that can do it.

HD


the boat is in MA. right now but when i get back from afghanistan the boat will move to upstate NY. so i need to find someone on the east coast

oregondunes
09-17-2009, 10:01 AM
i dont see a stereo...cut out two and install one

2.5_stoker
09-21-2009, 05:21 AM
i dont see a stereo...cut out two and install one


:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:.....thats not a bad idea at all...i was going to make a bracket and hide the stereo under the dash but i think i might go with your idea thanks

KonaKustoms
12-04-2009, 03:27 PM
I used a alum. plate and polished it to cover my holes

DerStream
12-18-2009, 03:02 PM
I know its a little far away, but you said East Coast so I'll throw it out there, the boys at Raybo Marine in Lindenhurst, NY, down here on Long Island can work some magic, plus theyre a designated Fiberglass Repair & resto shop. I know that Mass. is right next to Upstate NY but again, just throwing it out there because ive seen theyre work & its beyond par.

Raybo Marine
455 W. Montauk Hwy
Lindenhurst, NY 11757
631-957-1919

D.B.S
12-18-2009, 03:19 PM
Put all new gauges in, The new carbon fiber are cool.

Brad Zastrow
12-18-2009, 03:38 PM
I have done this a number of times. Very easy to do if you have done fiberglass work before. Only takes a few hours of labor and very little material. I would suggest taking it to a body shop that does glass work. Or call some of the local marinas and ask who does glass work for them. I have used dash panels of either carbon fiber or painted aluminum that really dresses up the whole dash. You can get real fancy here if you want. But you do not want to just cover the holes and see them from the back as that will look tacky.

Liberator*21
12-18-2009, 03:43 PM
I used a alum. plate and polished it to cover my holes

The aluminum cover looks good but what if it were painted or powder coated to match the gel/paint color.......something to think about.:)

Just look at the same photo with only a section of it yellow to match, I think it looks better when it belnds in.............JMO

http://i45.tinypic.com/51c1ug.jpg

Brad Zastrow
12-18-2009, 04:04 PM
Found some pictures of a dash that I completely changed the location of all the gauges and sizes.

http://i47.tinypic.com/1z5q5w4.jpg

after

http://i45.tinypic.com/fn4do8.jpg

later added dash panels

http://i46.tinypic.com/2b3y95.jpg

Liberator*21
12-18-2009, 04:25 PM
Now there's a work of art I can appreciate, great job, looks killer....:thumbsup:

Brad Zastrow
12-19-2009, 04:26 PM
Here is another dash that maybe more applicable to what I think you could do with yours. Glass the back of the dash to plug the holes. Use wood plugs and epoxy in place. Feather the hole edges and glass the top. Bondo to make smooth. Use 1/8" aluminum plate and cut with a jigsaw to shape. This is very easy to do. Cut holes and paint.

Brad Zastrow
12-19-2009, 04:41 PM
Much better
http://i48.tinypic.com/2zqsj1j.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/2upxtkw.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/2qd5ymv.jpg

aeneas
12-20-2009, 12:00 PM
I have exactly the same view on the number of instruments there should be in a pleasure boat. When I switched engine (from Yamaha to Merc) I also thought I would be stuck with a lot of holes but it was not so. I used carbon fibre to fill mine (one after a stero and the other after the ignition).

I was going to fill them in instead of covering them if I had more...

KonaKustoms
12-23-2009, 03:52 PM
It does look good yellow! I actually glassed the old holes and then put the alum. plate on it and it looked alot better when it was polished and not covered with dirt from setting for a year.

This was just a quick saturday fix to get the autometer guages in it and the old 1976 stuff out

2.5_stoker
12-24-2009, 01:09 AM
thanks for the feed back guys.