Where to find a Striper 165 dashboard

[dfinster]

I'm renovating a Striper 165.  The hull is in very good shape and I'm trying to bring it up to top-notch condition.  The previous owner did a hatchet job on the wiring.  For example, all the fuses are bypassed, just about everything is either wired direct to the battery or run through the one remaining switch that works, stuff like that.

I'm currently in the center console re-doing pretty much everything - New gauges, horn, courtesy lights, switches, fuses, the works.

The "dash" panel (if that's the correct term) with all the switches, cigarette lighter, ignition switch, etc is broken and the white surround is badly cracked.  It's basically held together with tape. 

I've considered grabbing a piece of teak and manufacturing a replacement dash panel.  I can do it, but I'm not that motivated if there is an easier solution.

Are there any of these dash panels tucked away someplace for sale?  Anyone else have a better solution?

[RickK]

Hi DF, can you post a picture of the switch panel so in case someone has seen one at the many Surplus places they can pipe in and help you out.

[Capt. Bob]

Year of hull?

Look like this?

[dfinster]

Thanks for the brochure Capt. Bob!

Yes, that's the exact boat.  It's a 1997 hull.  The prior owner added a T-top and a swivel seat to the front.  I've repowered it with a rebuilt 90 HP Evinrude.  I've been going through it replacing the nav lights, electronics, etc.  The hull itself looks like it sat under cover for most of it's life.  It's stiff, no soft spots, and the gelcoat is still really shiny.

Even given the age, I think it's worth investing for the retrofit.  It's a perfect little boat for fishing the shallows down here in SW Florida.  Charlotte Harbor is great fishing, but the majority of the fishing ground is less than 6 feet deep.  This little guy can handle the harbor chop if you get stuck out in a blow, but it can still get to the skinny water.

[dfinster]

Ok, here's a photo of the dash.  Sorry, it's dark, I can get better photos tomorrow.

The boat has a Genmar logo on the port side of the stern.  I thought I read someplace the Genmar never made the Striper 165.  Or maybe somebody slapped a decal on it. 


Please excuse the dirt and grease... It's all ripped apart right now.  I promise I'll wash and wax it once I get the guts working again. ;)

[Capt. Bob]

Fin,
Genmar owned the Aquasport in 1997 so we consider it a Genmar era hull. Take a close look at the Coast Guard capacity sticker just to the right of the wheel. Depending on its condition, you may see that it shows the location of build in Bradenton/Sarasota Fla. This would have been at the plant Aquasport shared with Wellcraft, also owned by Genmar.

You may get lucky with this source. Best bet is an in-house visit.
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=7617.0

PS... if you can get a photo of CG sticker, we can place it in our files here.
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=9274.0

Thanks and...

Good luck.

[dfinster]

I decided to just scrap the existing dash and start new with 1/2" Seaboard.  Here's a photo of how it turned out.

I'll go post my CG sticker now also.

[RickK]

Looks good