Nav station ideas

rbmcintire · May 18, 2011

Antoni, welcome!

This isn't my boat, but it is one I'd like to emulate:

http://sites.google.com/site/wild4lifejim/

Scroll down and you'll see the nav station of my dreams!

Rob

fortitude · May 18, 2011

Antoni, try catalinadirect.com and search for electrical panel. They offer some very nice direct replacements for the catalinas and should help simpifly the upgrade.
Bill

Old Skool Neil · May 18, 2011

You found that online? May I ask where?
My interest, you see, is that it's mine! I'm flattered you like it and would be happy to provide any level of detail you like.

Off to work now (so you don't think I'm ignoring you).

Thanks

Stu Jackson · May 18, 2011

Try Seaward, they make the panels for Catalina. Reasonably priced, don't know where you got $500 from, unless it was the link.

Bad Obsession · May 18, 2011

Don't forget to add a Link 10 to your system to monitor the batteries. This was a great investment and mine is a great piece of mind.

jrowan · May 18, 2011

I also admired Neil's electrical panel - There are 50+ footers out there with panels not as elaborate as his -nice- I've never even seen those light up breaker switches anywhere else - where did you get those from Neil? My boat has the Blue Sea System panels, which are a good retrofit, because you can buy them in multiple sections, making the rewiring easier, as it can be done in stages, and not as hard on your wallet all at once. But don't do like my P.O. did & leave the cheesy subpanel switches in place - now I have to turn on the main breakers at the Blue Sea Panel, & again on the smaller white subpanel. This is frustrating sometimes to figure out, and I'm sure it wastes some precious battery power due to the extra wiring voltage loss.
I also recommend replacing the master battery switch if you haven't already. But I found that the standard Perko model doesn't fit well - too big - I would use the Blue Sea switch. Make sure U label the circuit functions well! Pics attached. ps. I would also loose the extra length of wiring going to the Ampmeter at the cockpit gauge if U haven't already - creates a huge voltage drop. Good luck.

Team118 · May 18, 2011

Yeah, Fat Cat and Old School have some sweet set ups. Top grade woodworking coupled with patient eletricical skills will always net a fine result.

I replaced an second generation panel that was in the galley with Blue Seas. It was a bit expensive, but I wanted to add the battery switch, AC and DC panel. I received alot of help from Stu Jackson when I started. I am extremly happy with the results.

My skills are average...maybe a bit higher. But that's only because I am fearless. That is the sole key. Know the plan ahead of time and then don't be afraid to dig in and do it. I've made SO many mistakes, but I only make them once.

I enclosed a few pics. I put the house batteries under the nav table along with a Xantrex 40 Charger. I also bought the Xantrex Monitor and Battery Temp sensor. The previous owner had installed a fridge under the nav table, so the original panel doors were missing. I made a louvered panel to fit over the opening. I was originally going to use the teak louver kit from Jamestown Distribution, but they discontined it. The DYI project was very complicated considering I don't have a plunge router or jigs...but it was fun.

Certainly Old School, Stu Jackson, Captian Ron and others are a great resource. If you need more pictures, let me know, I tried to take as many during my projects for reference.

Good Luck!
Chris

joefusa · May 18, 2011

Here's mine

I cut down the cabinet (hull 543, '77), covered top with mica, and put in new panels from Blue Sea. pardon the lousy photo - it actually looks better in real life.

Old Skool Neil · May 18, 2011

Here's my story

My P.O. hacked out the front of the original slant top nav station and chained (yes, chained) a bar fridge in there. I scrapped the whole thing and started from scratch. New cabinet, new panel, new everything.

I fabricated the electrical panel from components bought from All Electronics. The illuminated switches are just that, switches. The breakers are the round parts. The panel face was laser engraved by a trophy shop to my artwork. Total panel cost came to about $250. The GPS and plotter came from the P.O. although they were nailed up to the overhead. Everything else is new.

I've provided this information off list to another member so depending on your experience, I have woodworking drawings for this project as well, including a tutorial on complex patternmaking. For now, here are the pictures you requested.

LuzSD · May 19, 2011

Very impressive Neil! From the pictures I am now assured that when we do finally get to Cabrillo to see your boat, I won't have to pretend to like beer! I see you have some choices there

Your space under the nav table is so nice an deep, I like that alot. You have done such a great job! Beautiful!

Twice Around · May 19, 2011

Well..since we've started this thread, I'll jump in too.

I am knee deep in the middle of my new nav station & DC re-wire project as we speak. I hope to have the main battery circuit completed this weekend and fire up the engine.

I have #511, complete with slant table & 6 switches in the galley.

I found this sweet Seaward Panel on e-bay..a little overkill, but it was a better deal than a Blue Sea panel with half the breakers.

My design is very similar to Old Skool Neil's (lots of borrowing of ideas). No sense in re-inventing the wheel on these things, especially with his pristine example already available.

Still needs trim & final touches..this is a "rough" assembly so I could start adding other necessary components. These are also cell phone pics..need to take the better camera down to get some sharper images.

Now, if WM would get my Blue Sea 2723 in stock, I could connect the engine & panel to the batteries, which I relocated under the stbd settee, just forward of the chart table.

Lots of wiring has happened since these pics..It looks like a 4 ga. can of those exploding snake things blew up in the boat right now.

veprjack · Jul 24, 2011

Re: Here's my story

Hi - total (and perhaps embarrassing) newbie question. I'm starting to look for a boat and came across the Catalina30. The nav/chart table looks GREAT - but where is the chair? I don't think the designer expected someone to stand! lol... I could use a regular stool, but NOT when underway.

Hey - thanks in advance for your patience and help for a noob.

Jack

gpd955 · Jul 24, 2011

Moved post to another thread.

jeffmacdonald · Jul 26, 2011

I have found myself buying stuff! Stuff that is now to point of overwhelming! I am either lucky or unlucky to have the Catalina manufacturing plant next to one of my best customers so when I have a successful appointment I find a need to buy a "new project" for Le Reve (boat name) ! Last big sale to my customer I stopped and bought a circa 2007 electrical panel with push in type fuses from the Catalina parts dept. Now I say again my best customer so I have a lot of items that need to be installed, I just need to move Stu near me so I can get started! I talked them down from $550.00 to $400.00 for the panel you see on Catalina direct. It should be sweet when I get it installed after I install the new traveler after I install the new radio after I install all the upgraded LED fixtures Oh! And after I paint the house I promised my wife I would do this summer! I seem to have more talent in buying than in installing! Good luck and if you need I will talk with them and see if they have anymore OEM panels because I love to haggle with them it kinda feels good messing with the people responsible for my obsession. “You may have seen this already on another post but it was intended for this one (sorry for the goof)”!

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