Navpod Doesn't Fit (Close) - Options?

[dmdiehl64]

Hello,

Recently purchased a Navpod for 12" angle guard. Our angle guard however is 11.75". Because we had an old Navpod at the helm before, and the measurement was so close, I chalked it up to within an expected amount of error when measuring the dimension on center.

Now, I'm stuck with a Navpod (already manually cut and mounted instruments) that is off by around 1/4". Our angle guard is for a '98 Beneteau 321, and has a few bends in it below the pedestal, so replacing it is an expensive and last case resort.

Anyone have any experience trying to expand out the tubing where the Navpod would sit? I'm thinking a series of simple jigs may do the trick. Clamps to secure above and below and a jack or something to expand outward in the middle. Or, maybe there is some sort of adapter kit available? I could also design and have something 3D printed out of ABS, if there are no off the shelf options.

Image attached of old Navpod for reference.

Curious the thoughts.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

If I'm not mistaken, you say that you need something to fill in the gap on the inner holes? Have you tried a piece of cut up rubber tubing as an experiment?

 

[jssailem]

I hear you saying that the space between the two straight lengths is 0.25" too narrow. Not sure this will work. There are metal engineers here that know more than I do. What if you took a solid piece, something like a 2x2, that is the proper length (12") and forced it between the metal pipe in the straight section. Then pressed it up towards the top curved section. Would that widen the curve bend enough to fit the Navpod?

 

[rgranger]

I'm not sure I am correctly visualizing your problem. The picture you sent shows the old pod siting on top of the tubing. What if you filled in the grooves on the back of the pod with a piece of cut tubing and then used a clamp around both tubes? I represented the clamp as the orange band in this mock up...

I would think you could secure a pipe clamps to the back of the inserted tubing of the new pod and clamp all the way around the tubing on your pedistle. I'd probably go with SS pipe clamps of the right length... available in the plumbing section at Lowes and Home Depot but if you Google pipe mounting clamp and you will get a lot of choices.

or

or

or

 

[capta]

Mount a nice piece of varnished piece of wood to the tubing, then mount the Navpod to that.

 

[Head Sail]

Have you thought about taking a heat gun to the Navpod and creating a new dimple?

 

[dmdiehl64]

The internet community is an amazing place. These are all great ideas (minus Head Sail, no offence, that Navpod was $$$ )

Spoke with Navpod and they claim to have never made an 11.75" version. Maybe it was custom for Beneteau back in the day.

I love the idea of a nice piece of varnished wood as an adapter plate. We're trying to balance aesthetics with ease of implementation and that might very well be the trick. Keeping it water-tight is important too. Will report back.

Thanks!

 

[dmdiehl64]

I hear you saying that the space between the two straight lengths is 0.25" too narrow. Not sure this will work. There are metal engineers here that know more than I do. What if you took a solid piece, something like a 2x2, that is the proper length (12") and forced it between the metal pipe in the straight section. Then pressed it up towards the top curved section. Would that widen the curve bend enough to fit the Navpod?
View attachment 214797

This is definitely my second option as it stands. Currently too cold here in MI to try to bend the tubing, but I think either pressing outwards using a bottle jack or some sorts, or like you mention, pressing upwards are both viable options. Stainless tubing shouldn't put up too much of a fight. I really only need to expand roughly a 3" section of tubing.

Appreciate the thoughtfulness and graphic!

 

[dlochner]

A Beneteau is a French boat built to European standards, short translation, they are metric. Navpod is not the only producer of instrument pods. Scanstrut is another manufacturer of pods and is European, might it be possible that the original pod was a metric pod, possibly a Scanstrut?

 

[dmdiehl64]

Here's a picture of the back for reference, including my janky method for mounting the Vulcan 7 last season prior to doing the electronics overhaul.