PVC vs. Acrylic, recommendations…

[Secutor54]

Hey fellas,

Im getting ready to reconfigure new Simrad Go9 NSX, two VHF radios, and a 6 switch panel onto the over head T-top radio box.

All the stuff is currently mounted on what looks like a few pieces of starboard and it looks pretty “janky”.

Anyway, I purchased the boat last year and took care of all mechanical, and all of the electrical stuff at the beginning of last season.

Now I’m moving on and upgrading the outdated Fathometer/plotter and decided on going with Simrad Go9 NSX, w/B175H thru hull transducer.

I’d like to keep everything as it’s rigged now and wanted to get some feedback for the new backing. Starboard will definitely do the trick, but I’m leaning more towards a more “custom” look for the backing.

I’ve found some stuff online(not much), but wanted to see if I could get some feedback on durability of PVC Vs. Acrylic and if I should be concerned with either choice…

Also, pics of your current setups are welcomed.

I’ve attached a pic of the current setup my boat has and why I’d like to clean it up a bit.

Thanks.

 

[plj46]

Acrylic is prone to cracking and crazing.I'd use PVC if it comes in a sheet.

 

[sickcat]

PVC that is not UV protected will not like being in the sun. In a year or two it will likely start to show.

 

[ShadowX]

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) would work fine in your application. UV is less of an issue since the area is inside a housing. Other options include 1/8" thick sheet of aluminum. You can also paint or powder coat it if you want different colors. The problem is that if you want to put in starboard or HDPE that size and thickness, it won't be cheap. Some shops even do custom CNC cutting of the aluminum sheets for a price if you provide a drawing.

It looks like your setup is made of three pieces. If you make a single piece part, make sure it can go in without taking too many things to make it fit.

If you want to make it look even less skanky, you can put in wiring railways instead of split looming for the overhead red light. You can also get flush mounted marine speakers. It won't look like it was jerry rigged by a blind monkey with ADHD. No offense to blind monkeys of course.

 

[sickcat]

ABS is used for panels as well as starboard and acrylic. UV stabilized ABS is available. I like a matte finish that hides smudges and waterspots. Black starboard is what I would use.

Looks like the panel could be a single piece. Cleaning up the wiring and placement of your electronics along with the switch panel and maybe flush mounting that speaker would improve the look a lot.

If your looking at stepping it up more than that take a look at Tecnografics stuff. They do some beautiful work but pricey.

CUSTOM PANELS | tecnografic-inc

Designing and manufacturing only the highest quality custom marine dash panels with a wide range of personalized options and accessories.

www.tecnografic.com

 

[Secutor54]

Right on fellas. I sent them the quote request for the work I’m looking to get done Sickcat. Where are they located? Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[MATTANZA]

e plastics and san diego plastics give em a call.

 

[brokeass boater]

For a more custom look I made a dash panel with carbon fiber and a 1/4" wood core. I did this for my skipjack. I have a full on build thread converting the Skippy to a PH plus some other things I did to it. Basically I took a mirror I had laying around and rubbed three layers of carnauba car wax on the surface. Mixed up some 2 part epoxy very slow so not to make small bubbles,( wetted out the CF first on a piece plastic, this can help push out the air pockets in the weaving before laying it on the mirror), rolled the epoxy with a finned roller on the CF, then lay'd it on the coring, then another sheet of CF to encapsulate the coring. Lay'd some wax paper on the part and added some weight, the wax paper keeps the wt. from sticking to your part. Taking your time to not make bubbles is key, they will show up in the finished part. There are better ways like Vac'n it but this gets you by for a one time shot,,,gregg