Seafari electronics locations

[McGillicuddy]

Finally wrapping up the re-wiring on the 72 Seafari. I'm probably over thinking this but there's not a lot of extra room on this rig so I want to try get it right the first time.
I have a 4"x4" GPS, a 6"x6" sounder, and bulky VHF.
Any thoughts on locations - any pics?
Dashboard is pretty small on the '72. Thinking about VHF on bulkhead, but not sure; and the others on dash. Likes dislikes about your set-ups? Thanks. - McGill

[rhody98]

Its hard to avoid a cluttered look on the Seafari dash with today's electronics. I will post mine after I get some pics but looks similar to the way Nick has his located from his post the other day. Some day someone will come up with a slick looking custom mount for the seafaris - a dash board version of the center consoles so everything is flush mounted. If not for looks then at least for theft prevention. Right now that's a low priority, a good winter project.

[Kahuna]

McG,
The grey is my plotter and the black is the FF. I stuck the VHF under the glove box in side the cabin on the port side. If I turn up the volume most of the way when I am running, I can hear if somebody is looking for me.

[Bushwacker]

Gillie, here's how I set up my Seafari, for what it's worth. I put two glove boxes in the port side bulkhead, one just below the f/g panel for the radio, and the other for storage down low on left side under the deck, just above the cockpit shelf. Original radio was a big old 12 channel crystal type set mounted inside glove box on a plywood slide. Later removed door and covered with a piece of starboard to mount newer, much more compact radio. (A side benefit of the glove boxes is that they provide neat shelves inside the cabin if you put some rails around the top of them.) The radio box also has a paper towel holder mounted to bottom of it. I used a waterproof external speaker for the radio, mounted underneath the helm. On my Bahama trips, being able to hear and talk to other boats while running a loud 2S motor at 4500 rpm was MANDATORY!

I have a Humminbird DS mounted on port cabin top that swivels and is easily visible from the helm. Don't like the combo DS/GPS units because if it craps out, you loose everything! Previous DS was an ancient Raytheon flasher/ recorder mounted on U-shaped bracket below the helm. (see first pic below - taken at West End in late 70's, pre-GPS era; also note SeaCraft 21 off stbd bow!) This was a good spot because it was well shaded and easily visible. Center area above cabin door is reserved for my plywood/plexiglass chart holder. (GPS is still no substitute for paper charts!) My GPS is just a dinky old Garmin GPS III+, but it's waterproof and gets the job done. Would like to eventually upgrade to bigger Garmin unit, and I've been thinking about using 2 45 degree bow rail fittings and a length of tubing, mounted to the bulkhead and extending up next to left side of helm, close enough to be easily readable. I believe Big Shrimpin had a Navman unit mounted like this.


[image]

[McGillicuddy]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Pics didn't show up Kahuna... I've been kickin' around the console thing rhody, problem remains location, location, location... did you find yourself banging you knees on the old plotter, Dennis? I've been trying to use that space but I hate bangin' my knees and shins on things. I like the glove compartment idea for the radio. I think flush mount is good for this chunky radio. I guess for now I can put sounder and GPS on dashboard... I'll let you know if I come up with a trick console, rhody. But if I use all that space where do I put the Loran-C? Lot of good spots on that old loran

[htillman]

Almost finished with my 23 Screptre. My next project will be a 20 Seafari. Everything will be built in. Any ideas you guys come up with will be great.

[Bushwacker]

.. did you find yourself banging you knees on the old plotter, Dennis? I've been trying to use that space but I hate bangin' my knees and shins on things.

It wasn't the problem I expected, and with the navy top I had back then, I rode most of the time sitting down! Guess I rode with knees spread to avoid hitting wheel.

One thing I don't like about the Seafari instrument panel is that it's so flat that it's hard to read the gages when sitting down. It was tolerable with analog gages, but the damn digital gages, which I had to switch to after the I-Command "Classic" gages proved to be NFG, are not only ugly, they're USELESS if you're sitting down. Can't read them without standing up. Same for the compass, which needs to be in line with the helm. So my next project, probably next winter, is to redo the IP using some PVC foam board left over from galley seat project. Have made some cardboard mockups, and it looks like I can use a 6x12" panel inclined about 30 deg from vertical without too much interference with sightline over the bow. Planning to install a bulkhead mount compass like this one centered right behind wheel. Will still have room for pairs of 3" and 2" gages on both sides of compass. Thought about trying to flush mount a GPS plotter, but not really enough room for that, so will stay with plan to mount it on a pedestal made with some tubing and a couple of bow rail fittings unless I can find a better mount design in the meantime.

[McGillicuddy]

Thanks again Dennis, and the compass idea is exactly where I'm headed. Ritchie vs Danforth or anyone else? That Saturn series sure is nice... $129 or $279 hmmm, I think my choice has been made by my skinny wallet

[rhody98]

Here is what a seafari dash looks like with ff, gps, vhf, compass and fm stereo all on the dash. Cluttered - yes. But minimal obstruction of line of sight as you can see in second pic. I figured this is ok for starters, didn't want to start by cutting a bunch of holes in the bulkhead before being sure what the best set-up is. Really like those pics of the bushwacker seafari.

[Fr. Frank]

Combo FF/GPS, with compass and VHF mounted in-dash.