What to do with old 3” instrument openings

[WSMFP]

I used a panel of 1/4 inch starboard screwed and sealed to the bulkhead. Then covered it with one of these bags. You can't tell the holes were there.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/ronst...23?recordNum=2

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Layne Campbell

...
I have half a mind to start a side company making economic marine instruments that could serve this purpose, It seems like Air temperature, Battery voltage, Time of Day, and heading would be pretty easy to enclose in economical displays which would only need a power connection and would not network in any way....

Don't forget Angle of Heel instrument.... requires no power at all. Could be hours of viewing fun!

[Spot]

Originally Posted by hamburking

Don't forget Angle of Heel instrument.... requires no power at all. Could be hours of viewing fun!

(rocking back and forth)


Ooooh, aaaah...

[dadster3]

This was done on my boat long before I bought it. The pics speak for themselves. The wood on the outside is mahogany and I think the back side is too. The back side is actually inside a small compartment w/a door.

[Spot]

I like using thinner G10 / FR4 as is available as scrap from my day job and it does not need as much maintenance as wood. I admire bright work but do not really want to increase the amount on my boat.

I have a small hobby-type CNC router that works great for wood under 3/4" and G10 under 1/8". I tried doing a couple 'side hustles' with it and it was more work than reward, time spent way exceeded dollars made. Now I just use it for my own parts and an occasional present. Making stuff like a 5" plate with 4 holes for screws and an opening for some other device is easy for me.

Back to the clineometer...I would so be the guy watching mine go back an forth.

[antoha]

A friend of mine had mahogany “plates” fabricated for both sides so it looks symmetrical (one to cover the holes, the other just so the two sides look the same). Pretty, but apart from the extra upkeep, the wood also gets very hot in the sun - so instead of being able to lean against the back in those prime real estate locations in the cockpit, you can’t really as you might burn your back. Just a consideration.
Anton