I have a 1984 30, I do not like where the ignition and gauges are located. Has anyone moved them elsewhere in the cockpit? How difficult is the move and where is a more useful place? I am a new sailor and just purchased this boat a few weeks ago..
gauges on a 84 30
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Do you have a boat that used to be a tiller but was changed to a wheel and the panel is down by your feet?
Try www.catalina30.com
What skippers have done is raise the panel up to the side of the coaming, much like the newer boats. I suggest you look around your marina, if you're in one, for some other Catalinas - the 30s, 34s and 36s all have the panels in pretty much the same place.
Many C30 skippers have done this, and IIRC, someone here did just that. You might want to try a search here on "C30 cockpit panel relocation" or other combinations.
Good luck.
What skippers have done is raise the panel up to the side of the coaming, much like the newer boats. I suggest you look around your marina, if you're in one, for some other Catalinas - the 30s, 34s and 36s all have the panels in pretty much the same place.
Many C30 skippers have done this, and IIRC, someone here did just that. You might want to try a search here on "C30 cockpit panel relocation" or other combinations.
Good luck.
I JUST did this mod on my wheel steer Catalina 27. Also a 1984. I also changed the gauges around and did the mandatory (IMHO) rewire job in order to get rid of the ammeter and drop the high current loads through the too small wire.
I added a spot for an oil temp gauge and added an oil pressure gauge. I have to get the right sender for it. I installed a Teleflex Voltmeter in place of the old ammeter, and down the road, I will replace all the gauges with new Teleflex Amega when the money comes available.
I extended my wire harness myself, it is not hard to do. I will grab some more detailed pictures and try and get them up here.
Check the end of this thread for some of the pics.
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1033845#post1033845
I added a spot for an oil temp gauge and added an oil pressure gauge. I have to get the right sender for it. I installed a Teleflex Voltmeter in place of the old ammeter, and down the road, I will replace all the gauges with new Teleflex Amega when the money comes available.
I extended my wire harness myself, it is not hard to do. I will grab some more detailed pictures and try and get them up here.
Check the end of this thread for some of the pics.
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1033845#post1033845
I moved the original panel from it's original low position to the back on the port side. I used the original box (at the time I couldn't find a suitable replacement) and created a new panel using Front Panel Express.
They provide software and you can design a panel EXACTLY to your specifications. Be precise with your measurements as they will be. It was cheap about $100 overall for a black aluminum panel with precut holes for gauges, switches and screw holes.
I found a winch handle box to fill the hole of the original panel so it worked out well. These are older pictures...
When I reran all of the wiring, I eliminated the 'trailer hitch' connection and used a terminal strip to connect wiring from the engine to the new wiring for the various gauges. Originally I included an amp meter, but after reading about the negatives, I replaced with a volt meter, which seems to work better for my needs. I also moved all of the outside lighting on the boat to an outside panel. I know the boat is small, but I sail alone a lot and I thought it would be nice to have the steaming, running, spreader, etc. lights at arm's reach.
I also purchased a stereo system with the remote station so I could also control music from the cockpit.
All in all, an easy project that probably cost about $500 or so for all the new gauges, panel, wire, SSI box, etc.
Chris
They provide software and you can design a panel EXACTLY to your specifications. Be precise with your measurements as they will be. It was cheap about $100 overall for a black aluminum panel with precut holes for gauges, switches and screw holes.
I found a winch handle box to fill the hole of the original panel so it worked out well. These are older pictures...
When I reran all of the wiring, I eliminated the 'trailer hitch' connection and used a terminal strip to connect wiring from the engine to the new wiring for the various gauges. Originally I included an amp meter, but after reading about the negatives, I replaced with a volt meter, which seems to work better for my needs. I also moved all of the outside lighting on the boat to an outside panel. I know the boat is small, but I sail alone a lot and I thought it would be nice to have the steaming, running, spreader, etc. lights at arm's reach.
I also purchased a stereo system with the remote station so I could also control music from the cockpit.
All in all, an easy project that probably cost about $500 or so for all the new gauges, panel, wire, SSI box, etc.
Chris
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Looks great. I was looking at the panel this weekend. I will let all know how it goes. It will have to wait until at least mid July. Thanks for the advice and input.
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