Helm Console Redesign

[whiteyvt]

It's time to update the helm station on our 2001 TE and I'm looking for examples where someone has incorporated a MFD along with new gauges and LED switches. Would love to see some pictures of what members have done to help feed our re-design process. Thanks in advance!

[catalina_mike]

I had the overhead enclosure that I did a Simrad MFD as the next project. Here is the dash I did.

Dash installed.JPG

[whiteyvt]

Thanks Mike!

I have a chartplotter and fishfinder mounted separately over-head and they really impact my visibility

[catalina_mike]

I had the fiberglass shell and it did not block mine. Oh well I put a 12" one in and the VHF radio up above. I'll see if I can find a picture. Got it!

Simrad.JPG

[GSSeattle]

Give me another month... project currently in process

I'm keeping the stock Yanmar panel, but have started to change out my switches to Blue Sea 8371 breaker/switch panels with Contoura III switch covers from New Wire Marine. I will be removing the stock switch/fuse panels.

Finished product will have one Garmin 943xsv MFD top left, autopilot and fuel gauge top middle, and a second Garmin 943xsv top right. On the bottom will be the stock Yanmar panel on the left, and two blue sea 8371 panels to the right. I have also moved all my electronics from the Albin fuse/switch panel to a Blue Sea 5054 circuit breaker bus mounted in the head cabinet behind the dash, to free up switch space on the dash

Layout when I purchased:

old dash.jpg

One of the new Blue Sea panel installed

new switch.jpg

new switch detail.jpg

Wiring / switch layout

Circuits 1.PNG

Circuits 2.PNG

https://www.bluesea.com/products/8371/W ... tion-Black
https://www.bluesea.com/products/5054/S ... gative_Bus

[Jkraft]

Check out New Wire Marine. We are in the process of re-making all of my panels now with push button LED and its going to be NICE. They will make anything you want if you give them your chart plotter info and dimensions etc.

[MerryKate]

Not the best picture, but I've kept the electronics in the factory overhead box for a cleaner helm and companion station. I went with a 9" Axiom when I replaced the original Interphase sounder because I decided to stay with the radar I installed circa 2000. With a bigger budget I would have gone with a single Axiom 12" in the overhead. I've also always had the VHF in the overhead. I installed the autopilot control just over the factory-installed bow thruster switch, where it's handy as a safety-factor.
I really have liked the overhead box and don't find it impedes vision at all.

[Jkraft]

Not the best picture, but I've kept the electronics in the factory overhead box for a cleaner helm and companion station. I went with a 9" Axiom when I replaced the original Interphase sounder because I decided to stay with the radar I installed circa 2000. With a bigger budget I would have gone with a single Axiom 12" in the overhead. I've also always had the VHF in the overhead. I installed the autopilot control just over the factory-installed bow thruster switch, where it's handy as a safety-factor.
I really have liked the overhead box and don't find it impedes vision at all.

Looks great! Can you share details on your steering wheel? Was that an easy swap? Same size?

[carolmarie]

David:
Interesting that you find the factory overhead box obstructs your view. I have the same arrangement on my 2001, 28 TE am 6’2” and, after only a brief adjustment period ( less than a season), found that the overhead arrangement was really convenient. Mine houses a 12” SIMRAD MFD, auto pilot control (although the new MFD does integrate the AP display and control so the separate panel is not necessary) and the remote spot light controller.
Like yours, I have the standard Yanmar factory panel- which I love- and the usual VHF, bow thruster, fuel gage and battery voltage meter. I also installed a two plug USB port near the cigarette lighter. The switches definitely need attention/ changeout.
Looking forward to your progress on your upgrade. Mike’s came out fabulously!
Surprised to see your home port is Burlington, Vt. We visit frequently and only noticed the 28TE flush deck that calls Burlington home.
Regards, Don
2001, 28TE, Safe Harbor Marina, Willsboro, NY.

[carolmarie]

PS.
You didn’t by chance buy the Albin 28TE that was at Thompson’s Point for many years????
Don .

[MerryKate]

Not the best picture, but I've kept the electronics in the factory overhead box for a cleaner helm and companion station. I went with a 9" Axiom when I replaced the original Interphase sounder because I decided to stay with the radar I installed circa 2000. With a bigger budget I would have gone with a single Axiom 12" in the overhead. I've also always had the VHF in the overhead. I installed the autopilot control just over the factory-installed bow thruster switch, where it's handy as a safety-factor.
I really have liked the overhead box and don't find it impedes vision at all.

Looks great! Can you share details on your steering wheel? Was that an easy swap? Same size?

Lewmar 13.5" power grip wheel that fits the standard 5/8" taper teleflex helm pump. got it off ebay, but I think I paid close to $100 less than this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/192892956395?e ... SwsWVcuJng

[Jkraft]

Not the best picture, but I've kept the electronics in the factory overhead box for a cleaner helm and companion station. I went with a 9" Axiom when I replaced the original Interphase sounder because I decided to stay with the radar I installed circa 2000. With a bigger budget I would have gone with a single Axiom 12" in the overhead. I've also always had the VHF in the overhead. I installed the autopilot control just over the factory-installed bow thruster switch, where it's handy as a safety-factor.
I really have liked the overhead box and don't find it impedes vision at all.

Looks great! Can you share details on your steering wheel? Was that an easy swap? Same size?

Lewmar 13.5" power grip wheel that fits the standard 5/8" taper teleflex helm pump. got it off ebay, but I think I paid close to $100 less than this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/192892956395?e ... SwsWVcuJng

Thanks!

[GSSeattle]

Helm redesign project is progressing well. All that is left to do is add the 2nd Garmin 943xsv display, and mount the fuel gauge, volt meter, and 12v USB outlet. It is a tight fit, but managed to squeeze two 9" displays in and increase the number of switches from the standard 14 to 16. Also this project gave me a chance to clean up all the wiring that previous owners added over 20 years

New Dash.jpg

New switch panel detail, circuit breakers = no more fuses!

Switch detail.jpg

Moved all electronics to a circuit breaker buss mounted in the head cabinet to free up dash space. Still need to tie up the wiring a bit

Electronics Buss.jpg

[MadMoney]

Greg - that looks great man.... can't wait to see the finished product!

Anthony Warren
1999 28' Albin Mad Money

[GSSeattle]

Greg - that looks great man.... can't wait to see the finished product!

Anthony Warren
1999 28' Albin Mad Money

Thanks Anthony! Maybe I'll even have the radar arch and radar installed by the time you are up for the summer. Just need a few weekends of not rain...