How would you mount this?

[radioguy]

Hey guys!

I'm working on a "gauge cluster" (compass and depth gauge) for my Cat 22. (I've only drilled the holes and shaped the edges, I haven't sanded or varnished this yet.) I'm curious what you think the best way to mount this piece would be. It is going on the bulkhead between the cockpit and cabin, so that means that the fiberglass bulkhead has to be drilled for the gauges as well. So there will be two layers of material next to each other that are drilled.

I was considering at least two options. One would be nicely placed carriage bolts that would have the nut on the inside of the boat. The other was to try to screw from the inside of the boat, so that you would not see any mounting hardware. Another idea is that with the depth gauge, since it mounts via compression from the rear, that possibly I don't need any hardware to hold this gauge cluster in place.

I'm just looking for some input

Also, how would you seal around the gauges? 4200?



As always, thank you kindly

RG

P.S. If anyone is interested in the piece, I got a 12" long by 7" wide piece of teak from buck woodcraft, I measured everything out, used rules and compasses etc, then used a hole saw to cut the holes, and then sanded the edges smooth to get rid of sharp corners. It took all of 30 minutes.

[sawingknots]

hi radio,thats a nice looking piece,you know that its going to be hard to maintain with the weather exposure how ever you finish it, personally i would rather to just mount onto the fiberglass bulkhead,never the less it will look good! most compass company's don't recommend using a silicone type sealer because of some chemical conflict also you need to keep other components/hardware away from the compass as far as possible

[radioguy]

Ahhhhhh, are you saying that the depth sounder may interfere with the compass?

[sawingknots]

yup,that would be my concern

[mitiempo]

I would agree, the depth sounder can possibly affect the compass. On my boat the compass is to starboard of the companionway and everything else to port. The compasses I have owned or installed come with their own gasket and do not need sealant. The teak can be screwed from inside or bolted from outside with the heads countersunk and bunged after. Should look good.

[GaryHLucas]

Wel-nuts

Gary H. Lucas

[radioguy]

Thank you guys kindly for the advice.

I tested it today, and sure enough, the depth sounder, when powered up, affected the compass. About 10-20 degrees. Thankfully you guys let me know this before I drilled into the bulkhead!

So I will be modifying the piece of wood, and this will only be a gauge panel for the compass. On the starboard bulkhead I will perhaps make a similar gauge panel for the depth sounder, voltmeter, and maybe a GPS mount or something........

Thank you again for saving me from drilling into my boat!