I would like to put an instrument panel in my cockpit, I need information on how to attach it to my current pedestal. I know that edson makes some but I do not have an edson pedestal. I would like to fabricate this myself but I need some dimentions and mounting instructions thanks hawk
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Adding Instrument Pod
Hawk: Adding an instrument pod to an existing pedestal with guard is not that difficult if you are handy with tools. First you need to decide what instruments you want to place in a pod, that will determine the size of the pod. I use the term pod beacause the most popular housings are made by NavPod. On my last boat, I had a 4 instrument pod with depth, speed, wind and autopilot. These were Raymarine ST60 units, but most current instruments have a similar footprint. If your current pedestal has a guard, you need to decide if the guard is tall enough and the proper shape (there are several bend versions available) for the new pod. You also need to know the width of the guard (9.5" and 12" are the two standards) to purchase the correct pod. NavPods come with a drilling template for 4 mounting screws and a hole to pass wires down one leg to below deck for power and sensors. The best way to start is to walk your marina's docks looking at other boats' instruments. This will give you ideas of what you can install on your boat. Any of the electronics vendors can help you with the details. HTH, Barry S/V Bear Necessity
Hawk: Adding an instrument pod to an existing pedestal with guard is not that difficult if you are handy with tools. First you need to decide what instruments you want to place in a pod, that will determine the size of the pod. I use the term pod beacause the most popular housings are made by NavPod. On my last boat, I had a 4 instrument pod with depth, speed, wind and autopilot. These were Raymarine ST60 units, but most current instruments have a similar footprint. If your current pedestal has a guard, you need to decide if the guard is tall enough and the proper shape (there are several bend versions available) for the new pod. You also need to know the width of the guard (9.5" and 12" are the two standards) to purchase the correct pod. NavPods come with a drilling template for 4 mounting screws and a hole to pass wires down one leg to below deck for power and sensors. The best way to start is to walk your marina's docks looking at other boats' instruments. This will give you ideas of what you can install on your boat. Any of the electronics vendors can help you with the details. HTH, Barry S/V Bear Necessity
Why a pod?
My 376 instruments including the radar display were installed in the pedestal. The face of the pedestal was cut out and replaced by flat plexiglass. I am not familiar with your pedestal but I guess it is similar to the 376. A possible drawback to the pod (excluding cost) is that you might grab it in heavy seas.
My 376 instruments including the radar display were installed in the pedestal. The face of the pedestal was cut out and replaced by flat plexiglass. I am not familiar with your pedestal but I guess it is similar to the 376. A possible drawback to the pod (excluding cost) is that you might grab it in heavy seas.
Check this.
THe photo is a friend's installation. I did the same thing(no picture) but first installed a taller offset guard. TIQ(Related Link) makes guards about half the cost of Edson's. The "pod" on mine is bolted directly to the guard, just above the offset. The pod is a piece of an 8-foot section of vinyl fence rail with end-caps, total cost about 8 bucks. There are two reinforcement ribs lengthwise. I inserted two pieces of 2"x2" lumber in the top and bottom. Then I cut the holes for the instruments. You can run the wires in the guard but I did not. My wires come out the back of the pedestal and up the outside of the guard. Otherwise I would have to drill more holes in the cockpit sole.
THe photo is a friend's installation. I did the same thing(no picture) but first installed a taller offset guard. TIQ(Related Link) makes guards about half the cost of Edson's. The "pod" on mine is bolted directly to the guard, just above the offset. The pod is a piece of an 8-foot section of vinyl fence rail with end-caps, total cost about 8 bucks. There are two reinforcement ribs lengthwise. I inserted two pieces of 2"x2" lumber in the top and bottom. Then I cut the holes for the instruments. You can run the wires in the guard but I did not. My wires come out the back of the pedestal and up the outside of the guard. Otherwise I would have to drill more holes in the cockpit sole.
And here's yet another way,,,,
Check out my web site. There are a couple of snaps of how I installed my NavPod. (the real thing). Go here for the best price I found for the NavPod model that worked for me; http://www.vitmarine.com/index.html Hawk, are you getting the idea? You can do anything. It's all up to your brain and the money it is able to make.
Check out my web site. There are a couple of snaps of how I installed my NavPod. (the real thing). Go here for the best price I found for the NavPod model that worked for me; http://www.vitmarine.com/index.html Hawk, are you getting the idea? You can do anything. It's all up to your brain and the money it is able to make.
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