2003 Chase 263 helm modification

[KlienfeldChase273]

Good morning all.
I’d like to remove the stainless steel handles alongside the collapsible electronics cabinet to accommodate two 12 inch flush mount simrad evos.
has anyone ever removed those? I don’t see a mounting point below the cabinet nor do I see a connection from the head where my batteries are stored (directly beneath this collapsible cabinet).
I hate to take a grinder to these and damage my gel coat so I’m looking for any help.
Thank you in advance.

 

[loubeer]

If like my 330, you'll have to raise electronics closure, disconnect ram, lower ram, prop up electronics closure fully, remove tub and you should be able to access handle/disconnect mounting screws.

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

If like my 330, you'll have to raise electronics closure, disconnect ram, lower ram, prop up electronics closure fully,

Yes, would be the same on mine, i have a pin to pull (and insert later) who connect the ram and the closure.

I have rather long and normal thick hands and it's not easy to reconnect the ram as space between electronic enclosure and console is very tight, doing it in 2 persons will probably easier.

I’d like to remove the stainless steel handles alongside the collapsible electronics cabinet to accommodate two 12 inch flush mount simrad evos.

Your console look considerable smaller than mine so two 12" units would not stay on the original panel.
My fantasy is momentary a bit limited, can you explain what the handles have to do with installing two 12" MFD's?
Do you want to make the electronics enclosure wider, close it shut or leave the box always open?

Chris

 

[DennisG01]

Those handles are simply thru-bolted - access the underside for the nuts. Looking at your picture, you likely have a couple options. 1) As noted above about removing the electronics tub. 2) On the port side, remove that small cubby below the handle... is there another cubby on the stbd side?

IF there's no access by removing the cubbies, is anything removable in the head like a headliner? Otherwise, you're back to the tub.

 

[KlienfeldChase273]

Those handles are simply thru-bolted - access the underside for the nuts. Looking at your picture, you likely have a couple options. 1) As noted above about removing the electronics tub. 2) On the port side, remove that small cubby below the handle... is there another cubby on the stbd side?

IF there's no access by removing the cubbies, is anything removable in the head like a headliner? Otherwise, you're back to the tub.

Thank you everyone for the replies. There is no way to access the twin handles on either side of the electronics cabinet. I checked underneath the cabinet. I checked in the head above the batteries. Nada! I’ll do a deeper search now that I’m dry docked. If I remove those handles I can easily fit two flush mounted simrad nss12 evos3s on a nice piece of carbon fiber over the entire electronics cabinet (I think!) I’ll keep you all posted. I’ll buy one as a test. I already have an old nss12 that’s been there since 2006 or something. It’s a dinosaur. Keep ya posted.

 

[DennisG01]

Looking back at your picture again, removing the upper switch panel may work, as well.

 

[KlienfeldChase273]

Looking back at your picture again, removing the upper switch panel may work, as well.

Guys - I stand corrected. They CAN be removed somehow. Either I’m gonna grind them down close to the helm fiberglass or I can unscrew them some how. I shall keep ya posted.

 

[KlienfeldChase273]

Ok. Following up here. I managed to remove my simrad fish finder and the electronics cabinet. Once that was out I removed the tub underneath that has two drain tubes on either side. Once THAT was out there are two screws under each handle that can be removed. I hope this helps someone at some point.

 

[Fishtales]

They def can be removed, you just need access. There is likely a small backing plate, a threaded rod attached to the handle and a locking nut.
Can probably cut out what you need to allow the new displays to fit and install a piece of material over. Should be fairly easy to do.

 

[DennisG01]

Ok. Following up here. I managed to remove my simrad fish finder and the electronics cabinet. Once that was out I removed the tub underneath that has two drain tubes on either side. Once THAT was out there are two screws under each handle that can be removed. I hope this helps someone at some point.

Not screws, though. As we talked about originally, they will be thru-bolted. So you'd be removing a nut.

Thanks for the follow up, though!