Mounting modern electronics on 1996 Seafarer- anyone done it?

[Laertes]

I'm in the early stages of restoring my '96 226 Seafarer. One of the jobs will be to mount new modern electronics. My thinking is to replace the hinged black acrylic door over the upper electronics box (reminder- 1997 and earlier Seafarers had the older dash design with the electronics box with the hinged door on top and a second angled panel for the gauges -also covered by a hinged clear door- below the electronics box).

I've searched the forums but had no luck finding anyone who has done this. I'm hoping I can build a new plate to replace the acrylic door and screw mount it to the frame of the electronics box (knowing I lose the opening door) and flush mount a plotter/sounder on it.

Has anyone done this, and do you have any tips? Unfortunately, my boat is about 200 miles away from me right now and I haven't done measurements (I am just in the conceptual stage right now thinking about what I might like to install) so I don't know exactly how big the opening is for the upper electronics box and how big of a screen I could mount. Ideally I'd like to put a 15" ultrawide display there, but it might be just a bit too wide.

All thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Hookup1]

Upgraded a 1997 268 Islander. Repainted hardtop, tower, console bubble and hull. Kept black door on upper electronics box with Garmin 8610xsv and VHF. Flush mounted Garmin 8612xsv in lower station. Newwire gauge panel and switch panel.

Width isn't usually the problem in older boats - it's the height. Some creative chainsaw work to open things up and neatly trim it out.




Here is the opened up electronics box. The Starboard front face is secured from behind to hide screws. Unit is face screwed with security screws.

 

[Tuidawgs11]

2005 Seafarer, I used a piece of Black acrylic!

 

[Laertes]

2005 Seafarer, I used a piece of Black acrylic!

That looks great! What is the white piece to which you attached the acrylic; is that an OEM part of the instrument panel/electronics box that can be detached? Or did you cut the original panel down to create this piece, or maybe fabricate it? (I'm not familiar with the layout of the later model Seafarers; mine is the earlier pre-98 configuration).

 

[dogdoc]

Post in thread 'What have you done to your Grady lately?'

Jan 14, 2024

Last trip door to radio box kept flopping down in some rough water. Started to refurbish and replace hinges but went to a flush mount look. Not perfect but at least cleaner. Small glove box angles down so stuff would possibly slide out but most likely will be used to store the radio mike.

• dogdoc

• 

this is what I did a while back and so far it is ok. potential problem is all wiring is buried behind the screwed on starboard panel. plan to allow a way to get at things. I unscrew the switch panel and reach in. thinking of put hatch or pie hole on the side of the box

 

[Tuidawgs11]

That looks great! What is the white piece to which you attached the acrylic; is that an OEM part of the instrument panel/electronics box that can be detached? Or did you cut the original panel down to create this piece, or maybe fabricate it? (I'm not familiar with the layout of the later model Seafarers; mine is the earlier pre-98 configuration).

It is the factory piece.