Power Panel Cover

Buckeye · Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 9:34 pm Post subject: Power Panel Cover

Hi All, This is my first post here on this forum. I'm currently negotiating on a 2008 C-Dory. On inspecting the boat I noticed that the electrical panel was not covered in any way. The PO says that that's the way its always been. Is there a cover missing. Sure seems like it should be better protected. The PO said that he had someone install the electronics, I'm wondering if they left the cover off.

Thanks.

thataway · Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 9:55 pm Post subject:

Do you mean the panel on the back of the console? If so, there have been a number of ways that this area has been covered in the past: There was a rigid fiberglass molding, but that was often difficult to remove, and then vibration loosened the screws. More recently there have been covers of either Sunbrella or vinyl material which snaps in place.

As for the 110 V system under the seat--I have seen some with no cover, but most have a fiberglass molding over them. In either case I would want a cover over any bare electrical connections.

ssobol · Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:31 pm Post subject:

My 2008 has the vinyl snap on cover. I would like to have something a bit more sturdy and secure. There are some pictures in the albums of someone who made a hard cover for the back of the console.

Sunbeam · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 12:44 am Post subject:

I think the molded fiberglass (hard) cover was discontinued by 2008. Are there snap studs back there where a canvas or vinyl cover might have been? (Perhaps some were built without covers, I'm not sure.)

I have one of the molded covers in my 2002, and what Thataway says about the disadvantages (as built) is true. However I have seen photos where handy Brats have made wooden cleats with a sort of half-a-dado (forget what you call that) on which it slides in and out quickly. I'd like to have a pair of those for mine.

Buckeye · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 8:10 am Post subject:

Thanks to all for your comments, Thataway, it is the panel behind the console. I suspect that Sobelle is right, it probably did have a snap-on cover at one time or other. Sunbeam, I haven't pick up the boat yet so I can't look for the snaps. When I do get the boat I will fabricate a cover of some sort. It shouldn't be too hard to add some stand-offs to hold a hard cover. Maybe a piece of plexiglas would work. I tried searching for a picture but didn't find one. If anyone has a link I would appreciate seeing a picture.
Thanks.

Sunbeam · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 10:25 am Post subject:

Buckeye · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 11:21 am Post subject:

Sunbeam: thanks a bunch for the pic's. I think I can make a cover like that maybe out of plywood. May also add a couple strips of wood for an additional chart/magazine rack. Your right about the mod's, I haven't even got the boat yet and I already have a list of changes/upgrades planned.!

bridma · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 11:56 am Post subject: Power Panel Cover

My 2009 model has the grey vinyl cover with snaps. I like it. I am 6ft tall and sleep on the stbd side of the v-berth. My head is very close too it and sometimes touching it. At least it's nice and soft.

Martin.

thataway · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 12:03 pm Post subject:

I have had 22's with both the fiberglass cover and vinyl. I prefer the vinyl. Easier to remove and get out of the day for work. As bridma suggests the softness is a benefit when you are sleeping there.

Buckeye · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 2:48 pm Post subject:

Based on what I'm hearing, I may try a soft cover first. I probably won't pick up the boat until after the holidays. But when I do and it has the snaps for the soft cover like I suspecting, it would be an easy project to make a soft cover. If I don't like the soft cover then I could always change it out for a hard one.

Sea Angel · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 9:01 pm Post subject:

With a soft cover you could also use a combination of snaps and Velcro.

Art

Buckeye · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 9:36 pm Post subject:

Sea Angel: a combination of snaps and velcro sounds like a good idea.

Can anyone direct me to a photo of a soft cover. I've searched but come up empty handed, so far.

Thanks

Terry

Sunbeam · Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 1:24 am Post subject:

Here is a photo I saved from someone's album. I think that they had sewn additional pockets onto the existing soft cover - but it may have been en entire homemade cover.

Unfortunately, when I was first saving some ideas, I didn't realize how many there would be, and I neglected to include the boat name in the file. So I can't give proper credit to whomever came up with this Confused

Buckeye · Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 8:21 am Post subject:

Sunbeam: Thanks for the pic, that shouldn't be too hard to duplicate.