Im putting a new VHF radio in where the old northstar was installed, what do you all use to close in the hole and install the new radio?

[Harmon]

Im putting a new VHF radio in where the old northstar was installed, what do you all use to close in the hole and install the new radio? What material have you used and whats the source? do yo try to match the beige color?

Thanks

 

[Lazy Daze]

Since you're putting something back in that place, there's really no need to try and match the gel color - it would be quite time consuming to do that.

Take a look at your other items installed in the dash - they're actually installed in a panel, right? You can do the same thing.

Truthfully, you don't even need this new panel to match the others. It could be a contrasting color - as simple as black.

A couple quick ideas (of course there are more options):

-- 1/4" to 1/2" black HDPE and make it yourself
-- Having a panel made at a place like New Wire Marine
---- This could match the other panels
---- It could be a contrasting color

Another option is to get a "black box" VHF where the brains is hidden behind the dash and all that is visible is a full function remote with a display built-in.

 

[Skybolt]

A Picture always helps in these situations, but forget about matching the dash color and match the rest of the panels.

Wood grain ones can be made from a few places, flounder pounder is one and Ken does a great job with that and will match your existing to a tee. New wire Marine is another great place as Dennis mentioned.

DIY, Starboard is an option as well. 1/4" real wood is also another option. It all depends on how you want it to look.

 

[LTD.330]

When I replaced my portrait style Raymarine chartplotter with a landscape style Garmin plotter, I used 1/4" black Starboard and cut a hole in the starboard to fit the Garmin. It looks like there is a black trim ring behind the Garmin.

 

[rlynch03]

Im putting a new VHF radio in where the old northstar was installed, what do you all use to close in the hole and install the new radio? What material have you used and whats the source? do yo try to match the beige color?

Thanks

I used the OEM Tecnografic for a few of my new electronics that didn’t cover the same. They are great to work with and will customize as needed.

See the pictures, they made a new panel for the VHF speaker, Twin GPS Displays and the Auto Pilot display.


Sam Sladon
Sales and Design
954-928-1714
TECNOGRAFIC, INC.
1010 NW 51st Place
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33309
https://www.tecnografic.com/

 

[Njlarry]

Quarter inch white cutting board from a dollar store with the corners rounded looks great.

 

[Harmon]

Well thank you all, those are some great ideas.

 

[Creekwood]

Well thank you all, those are some great ideas.

I replaced my Standard Horizon and was able to cut out the SH mounting panel to fit the new one

 

[White Shadow]

I used this stuff:

I used the old Raymarine RAY215 as a template for the outside dimensions as well as the screw hole locations. Then cut out an opening for the new Standard Horizon GX1850GPS using the provided template. Put it all together and went right back in perfectly using the original opening and screw holes.

Before:

During:

After:

One more after (Just because it looks so nice!):

 

[skibum]

I bought some textured ABS plastic from Amazon and made a piece with a cutout for the new radio to cover the old hole like White Shadow's last picture above shows.

 

[leeron]

Harmon,
I just did this on my 320. The PO had used some home made wooden panels which I replaced with these panels from FP Marine. See link below. They will make a custom cut out for your specific radio if you provide the details.
lower left accessory panel