Helm redo with helm kit

[John F.]

Doug & JK bought these helm kits years ago, and I want to install the helm kit this fall/winter. Anybody install one of these? It looks like the existing helm needs to be cut off, and this drops in its place, but it'd be great to have some advice.

Existing helm:


Helm kit:


Helm kit front view:

[JimmyG]

I had one on my old B31 and couldnt find one to but for my new project so I made one. It's a pretty easy instal just cut around the edge of the old one remove it and glue the new one into place

[John F.]

Jimmy-

OK, so it looks like I need to cut where the vertical slope part of the flybridge meets the horizontal 2" or so piece that runs around the front of the FB. Sound about right?

John

[John F.]

I have the helm cut apart, and have the dash overlay thing about ready to epoxy on. My plan is to epoxy it down with thickened epoxy, smooth the seams, tape the seams, then fair. Sound OK? Also, when I epoxy and f'glass, do I need to grind/sand down to green glass, or can I sand into the old gelcoat pretty well and lay f'glass over that?

Thanks

[Capt.Frank]

John,
I am no expert, but I would grind down to glass not gelcoat. Wow once that is done Crows Nest will look like a new boat.

[John F.]

Capt. Frank-

Thanks. I'm going to grind down to green f'glass. I'll get some pics. up when I find the camera.

John

[Carl]

Talk about time lapse...it flew by on this post! LOL

Waiting on the pictures....

[John F.]

Pictures. And I've never done anything like this before. Doug bought the dash thing at least 10 years ago and never installed it. It came with the boat, so I figured I'd give it a try. JK bought the kit at the same time for SeaNile, and I liked the way it came out. Again, I'm making this sh*t up as I go along, so feel free with any suggestions.

[Yannis]

Irrelevant, but I heard that the dark hull colors attract the heat so a boat exposed in the sun is much hotter inside. Is this so? I would love a dark blue boat, but with the summer sun it might not be a wise idea...for me at least.

[Carl]

I like! It's going to open that helm up nicely.

Good thing about our fiberglass boats, if you make a mistake all it takes is some matte, glue and time to get another shot at getting it right.
It does not look like you'll need to do that...but always good to know.

Carl

[John F.]

Carl-Thanks.

Yannis- Doug (previous owner) wanted a flag blue B31, and had her painted. I think flag blue is great looking, but it wouldn't be my choice. It shows every imperfection in the f'glass work, and every nick and scrape in the paint. I'd go for a pastel color--yellow, blue, green, whatever. My 2 cents.

[Yannis]

Thank you John.
Have you noticed a temp differential inside the cabin though? Is it truly perceivable?
So far the best color I've seen is Ian's seashell pastel green.

[John F.]

Yannis-

I haven't had the boat long enough to tell, and when she was Doug's, I didn't notice.

John