DIY NavPod

[Steelshooter]

I will be up grading my electronics this spring and was looking at Navpods but just can't believe how expensive these are. I mean nearly $500 is a bit steep for a glorified shoe box, yea I know it's a bit more than that but for that kind of money I can add an extra Garmin GMI display.

Anyway I was at the local dollar store and ran across a plastic storage box that would be a perfect mold if I were to lay up fiberglass on the inside and build a custom Navpod. I have my Edson pedestal guard off of the boat so I could fit it perfectly.

Has anyone given this a try? I really would like to save the money and buy a second GMI display.

Once again any insight you all might have would be appreciated.

[James S]

You may be able to do that fairly cheap if you don’t count your time.
I built my helm from scratch and it was a big job...If I could have bought one that did what I wanted I would have been way ahead.
If you have the time and want a rewarding project go for it!

[Blue Stocking]

Not as pretty as a Navpod, but the grey PVC exterior electrical boxes are robust, U.V stabilised, O-ring sealed, st.steel fastened, and come in a wide range of sizes.



James--beautiful work

How tha dhow cumin

[The Mons]

We made one out of white starboard. The sides were 3/4 inch and the front and back faces were 1/4 inch. You have total control over the dimensions if you make your own.

If you mess up the cutouts or dimensions, just make a new one.

It was necessary for us to make our own due to the other obstructions on the pedestal guard and the fact that our pedestal guard was 1 1/4 in diameter.

[James S]

Thanks Blue.
The Dhow is well. The factory is just finishing installing the electrical system...Its a bit late because we are still waiting authorization to start that site.
Its been good for me as it buys time to try and do a better job....try!
Also getting authorization to build a small jetty for loading from the main land.

[forsailbyowner]

I built mine out of black 1/4" polyethylene. My bimini needed more lateral support due to solar on top so I ran a diagonal from pedestal to bimini frame then a horizontal from seatback to pedestal in 1" tubing. I made a dash out of the polyethylene salvaged from military surplus storage bins. Drilling 1" holes in the sides of dash I mounted dash. Then made a canvas cover with a flap that flips up to expose electronics. Morgan OI helmstation is offcenter and it seems to fit in cockpit well.