Replacing engine instrument panel

[Scott T-Bird]

I can't seem to find a good solution ... I don't like the instrument panel. It's large, ugly and in the way. It also seems like a very poorly thought out design. I can't imagine that other 320 owners have suffered with the same problem, though.

Obviously it is a Yanmar panel made for Catalina Yachts. The box stands out from the pedestal and interferes with the wheel and the wheel pilot. If this is the standard installation, it's obviously f#&^d up. That ugly notch that was cut out is to make room for the wheel pilot lever to function. (Also, the lever has been shortened to fit in this notch). The spacers are an obvious retrofit and the knob that holds the wheel nut in place barely has any thread to grab on to. In fact, if you don't routinely tighten it, the knob falls off. Sometimes, I come back to the boat after a week and the wind that makes the cover flutter causes friction that loosens the nut. I find it on the floor of the cockpit!

I want to get rid of this box, but I haven't been able to find anything from Edson or Catalina to replace it. Is this a common problem? I'm searching for a good solution that doesn't involve moving the panel to a totally new location. BTW, the instruments are below kneecap level ... really a great place huh?

What were they thinking when they put this together? In the end, I don't really care that the instrument panel may have to stay at this low level. I will eventually be able to read the instruments on the chartplotter display. I just want to position the wheel correctly and have a wheel pilot that isn't in conflict with the panel.

Any thoughts about how to improve this?

 

[mikeracca]

I ran into a very similar problem, but my controls are mounted in the hull, not on the pedestal. I just made my own using the TinkerCad website and my Ender 3 v2 3D printer. While not as nice and professional looking as some of the $500 ugly options, I got exactly what I wanted and was even able to have my boat’s name molded in.

here’s a pic if you didn’t see it in my refit thread. I now have some plexiglass over the gauges.

 

[Calif. Ted]

Mine has a slightly different pod which I've replaced, I'm using an older Mark 1 wheeldrive because it fits in the "normal" position. You might check dimensions on the current pod it may fit better, or at least start over, less than $100.
EP162 - NavPod

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Mine has a slightly different pod which I've replaced, I'm using an older Mark 1 wheeldrive because it fits in the "normal" position. You might check dimensions on the current pod it may fit better, or at least start over, less than $100.
EP162 - NavPod

The problem is the part that sticks out on the left side of the gray band in the picture stands out so far it interferes with the wheel / wheel pilot. I don't even know how to remove it to take a look inside and I certainly can't find a panel dimension that matches the original.

 

[dmax]

Maybe you could find one of the NavPods that would fit, they have a bunch of sizes.

 

[mikeracca]

@Scott T-Bird To open your console you should be able to push in on the center of the buttons I circled in your pic. Where the arrow is pointing. Then you will be able to pull the plastic rivet out and that should allow your face plate to come off.

 

[dLj]

All of my engine gauges sit recessed into the side of the cockpit - not on the pedalistal. I wouldn't want them on my pedalistal - too much going on there.

It would be a fair amount of work but that's where I'd look to relocate those guages if it were my boat.

dj

 

[Scott T-Bird]

It's really just finding a box that mounts to the base of the pedestal that has me stumped. I can't find anything. All of the NavPods seem to be mounts to the pedestal guard. Besides, I don't want to put the panel up above the binnacle (that's where the sailing instruments and chartplotter are). I'd prefer to just leave it where it is. The problem is with the profile of the box at the panel face. If I could find a better box - one that fits, I would gladly change the panel. I don't really want to re-locate the panel to another location. I might have a place for it at the farthest corner on the starboard side, but I'm not confident that I could extend the wiring to move the gauges.

BTW, is this a discontinued type of mounting box? Doesn't anybody do this anymore? I'm really puzzled why I can't find anything similar.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

@Scott T-Bird To open your console you should be able to push in on the center of the buttons I circled in your pic. Where the arrow is pointing. Then you will be able to pull the plastic rivet out and that should allow your face plate to come off. View attachment 206261

I'll give it a try ... at the very least, I'd like to see what is inside!

 

[mikeracca]

I'll give it a try ... at the very least, I'd like to see what is inside!

Wires… you will see wires… multicolored spaghetti.

 

[markwbird]

You can go all digital. Raymarine (and others) instruments can be hooked up to the engine to display RPM's, fuel level, temp. All on a screen.

 

[DayDreamer41]

You can go all digital. Raymarine (and others) instruments can be hooked up to the engine to display RPM's, fuel level, temp. All on a screen.

Wait a minute or two and they will be able to be displayed wirelessly.....

 

[Scott T-Bird]

You can go all digital. Raymarine (and others) instruments can be hooked up to the engine to display RPM's, fuel level, temp. All on a screen.

Well, yes, I am planning to do that. It still leaves me with what to with all the stuff in that box that would still be in the way unless I can remove it and leave a clean pedestal.

 

[Calif. Ted]

Your instrument pod was discontinued in 1999 when the one in the link on my prior post was introduced, which is now out of production also and only remaining stock available. This newer pod will interfere with the wheel on your boat but I've heard a dished 40" wheel will clear.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Your instrument pod was discontinued in 1999 when the one in the link on my prior post was introduced, which is now out of production also and only remaining stock available. This newer pod will interfere with the wheel on your boat but I've heard a dished 40" wheel will clear.

@Calif. Ted , that does look like a better fit. I can't tell how it is attached in the back. Is it mounted to the pedestal or is it fastened to the guards? It looks like it might be worth a try. It's definitely smaller, and it looks like I can mount it low enough so that the wheel pilot can clear above it. The price is right ....

Is there a direct feed of the wiring from inside the pedestal to the back of the pod. I don't know yet what is involved in removing the old one and routing the wiring bundles (and the cable for the stop handle). It would be helpful if the website had some installation instructions, but I guess it is discontinued ... I'll try searching.

 

[Calif. Ted]

Connects to pedestal with 1 bolt which also serves to hold the anchor piece for the trans and accelerator cables on the inside of the pedestal. There is a 1" piece of SS tube which exits bottom of pod and goes thru deck with wiring. I'll try to attach the Cat Direct page which has some better pictures and fitment data. I'll try to take some pictures of mine tomorrow for reference.
Engine Instrument Pod Only

 

[Ward H]

Maybe give Catalina Yachts customer service a call. They may have an idea for a solution.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Connects to pedestal with 1 bolt which also serves to hold the anchor piece for the trans and accelerator cables on the inside of the pedestal. There is a 1" piece of SS tube which exits bottom of pod and goes thru deck with wiring. I'll try to attach the Cat Direct page which has some better pictures and fitment data. I'll try to take some pictures of mine tomorrow for reference.
Engine Instrument Pod Only

Yes, it looks like a direct replacement. I have a 1999 model boat but I must have the pre-1999 pedestal, otherwise it seems that I would have this instrument pod on the boat already. I have the SS Tube as you describe and it looks like it is replicating the placement from the older pod.

I'm still not sure this pod will work. They don't make it anymore, just like they don't make the one on my boat anymore. It must have been a disaster and that is the reason they abandoned this particular pedestal mounting idea.

 

[Calif. Ted]

On the last model made (MKII) they made the cockpit wider and added a larger console similiar to Hunter et al which makes wheel pilots an even bigger pain to fit. I don't think the newer pod will fit, it'll hit your wheel.

 

[Ward H]

Hey Scott, Maybe time for a home built solution?
I'm thinking something that puts the gauges on both sides of the pedestal and goes deeper behind the pedestal. The front face plate can still be the full width side to side to join to the two sides.
Might be able to find two rectangular nav pods and mount them vertical on each side of the pedestal or vertically on the pedestal guard.