The configuration I decided to go with is a pedestal mounted helm control station to rid of the clunky CC. But with the pedestal mount setup I needed to figure out how/where to stow 3 batteries, onboard battery charger, and remote oil reservoir, all of which were stowed under the clunky CC. A fiberglass box forward the helm was the no brainer solution, just needed to find a pre-fabricated model that met or closely met the specs I needed. The new helm refit gets new throttle control, throttle/shift cables, steering helm, steering wheel, steering cable, fuel gauge, switch panel, compass, and LED lights underneath helm.
3 fabricated components....
Tear down begins....
The CC I was removing covered the gap between the starboard rigging trough hatch and the deck but the new helm setup would not, as you see in the photo below. So one thing was absolutely known going into this refitting....fabricating a cover plate to bridge this gap would be an absolute pain. Luckily the depth of the trough hatch is 3/4" so a piece of 3/4" starboard would do the job. The initial plan was to fabricate this piece of starboard to bridge the gap then cut out 2" circle to allow the rigging from engine and rigging tube to pass through. This was poor planning on my part because I underestimated the overall diameter of all the engine rigging. And even though the 2" rigging tube did hold all the riggin, it was just too tight for my liking. So I scrapped that initial plan and opted to cut out an oval section of the starboard, using 2 rigging tubes (1 for helm and 1 for battery box), then cover the oval with a cable boot. However, the starboard plate would not lay down flush because of the steering cable bend as it exits the trough and goes vertical. So to provide clearance for the cable, a dremel was used to shave off starboard from its underside to allow for the deck plate to lay flush. Secured the starboard plate with a screw on both sides...dipping the screws in 5200 and getting purchase into the trough.
Result.......
Getting the battery box squared away....
Then began working on the helm component installations......
Tachometer polarizer was a goner so I had it replaced.....before and after
Used another cable boot for the aft rigging trough
Making final touchups...then it needs a big time cleaning....Final photos to follow.
