Where do you guys have your engine instruments?

[scratchee]

When motoring I generally sit on the starboard side with the throttle and gear shift between my legs. The fan, choke, and starter button are down by my feet in a recessed panel, and I can operate them by feel. The problem is that the instruments--tach, oil pressure, and temp--are down on the same panel as the controls and I have to bend down like I'm tying my shoes to see them. I'd really prefer something that I could check at a glance. Does anyone have a creative solution? I suppose I could just mount another panel on the other side of the cockpit, but is anyone using a digital panel or other remote system that could be easily relocated?

[Mo]

I have a seat on the transom and sit behind the helm. Gauges are on prt side by in line with the binnacle. I actually have to bend forward toward the wheel, toward the stb side and glance to the prt side to see the gauges. From my perch on the stern of the boat I can see directly through the dodger and can easily make a slight move here and there to glance anywhere. All of my sails hae a slight Yankee cut for visibility, no deck sweepers. Makes life easy. In the pic I'm sitting on my perch.

Sometimes I move to one side or the other but not that often.

[edwardc]

I too have a seat on the transom that lets me sit behind the helm, on either side of the backstay.

Engine instruments, and depth gauge, are on the vertical face of the bridgedeck. Chartplotter, autopilot, and radio remote mic are mounted on the pedestal guard and reachable from the helm seat. Engine controls are standard Edson controls on the pedestal.

[scratchee]

I guess one issue is my tiller steering, which traditionally requires sitting on one side of the cockpit. So the controls are located on the side, and the instruments with them. When I think about putting them on the forward bulkhead of the cockpit, it just seems like a lot of real estate required inside.

[Mo]

I guess one issue is my tiller steering, which traditionally requires sitting on one side of the cockpit. So the controls are located on the side, and the instruments with them. When I think about putting them on the forward bulkhead of the cockpit, it just seems like a lot of real estate required inside.

The other issue is guests. If they sit with their back to bulkhead you won't see your gauges. I have that issue with the kids all the time with the depth sounder.

[joe_db]

I have a seat on the transom and sit behind the helm. Gauges are on prt side by in line with the binnacle. I actually have to bend forward toward the wheel, toward the stb side and glance to the prt side to see the gauges. From my perch on the stern of the boat I can see directly through the dodger and can easily make a slight move here and there to glance anywhere. All of my sails hae a slight Yankee cut for visibility, no deck sweepers. Makes life easy. In the pic I'm sitting on my perch.

Sometimes I move to one side or the other but not that often.

That is my original gelcoat color. My wife wants to repaint the boat back to that.

[romantic comedy]

water temp and oil pressure are on the aft end of the cabin and can be seen from anywhere in the cockpit. (on the firewall)

Tach and ammeter are in the cabin.

[Mo]

That is my original gelcoat color. My wife wants to repaint the boat back to that.

Joe, that color is very forgiving. It was one of the reasons I bought the boat. My first C&C 24 was Stars and Stripes Blue as well. I was in the Arctic running a clinic when I saw a pic of the 30 I now own....maybe it was the familiarity of the color. Anyway, via satellite link I talked to the owner and bought it. Never even saw it....what could go wrong? She needed work, I knew that, and it took me 8 weeks working on her everyday to bring her around summer 2007.

That color doesn't show rubs, scrapes etc as clearly as a darker color...good compromise.

PS, I love the 35 and the 40. Good boats.

[joe_db]

When motoring I generally sit on the starboard side with the throttle and gear shift between my legs. The fan, choke, and starter button are down by my feet in a recessed panel, and I can operate them by feel. The problem is that the instruments--tach, oil pressure, and temp--are down on the same panel as the controls and I have to bend down like I'm tying my shoes to see them. I'd really prefer something that I could check at a glance. Does anyone have a creative solution? I suppose I could just mount another panel on the other side of the cockpit, but is anyone using a digital panel or other remote system that could be easily relocated?

OIL-WATER-FUEL at the helm and these on the cabin bulkhead:

[cowlum]

If my boat were fresh I’d just send ordinary data such as rpm/temp to wifi (nmea probably) and display it on the tablet. Audio alarm for anything critica amd probable shutdown. This would eliminate holes in the boat, misreading and fires common to wiring. But as it is, my boat is 50 years old and came with a holes precut and the birds nest pre-wired. As per the pic. Easy viewing.

[scratchee]

My best answer might end up being audible alarms for low oil pressure and high temp. The two I feel compelled to check frequently are RPM and temp (rpm for reference, temp for engine health). I could put a couple on the bulkhead but I don't want them ALL on the bulkhead.

[scratchee]

Oh looky here....(engine warning kit from Moyer):

[joe_db]

My best answer might end up being audible alarms for low oil pressure and high temp. The two I feel compelled to check frequently are RPM and temp (rpm for reference, temp for engine health). I could put a couple on the bulkhead but I don't want them ALL on the bulkhead.

I have that and am looking to add coolant flow. My fuel pressure gauge has a warning light for under 1 PSI.

[GregH]

I guess one issue is my tiller steering, which traditionally requires sitting on one side of the cockpit. So the controls are located on the side, and the instruments with them. When I think about putting them on the forward bulkhead of the cockpit, it just seems like a lot of real estate required inside.

In my Alberg the instrument panel is tucked under the Starboard bench. Also being right handed helps such that I always sit on the Port side. That, or I stand with the tiller between the legs for a stretch.

[sastanley]

OIL-WATER-FUEL at the helm and these on the cabin bulkhead:

Joe, Nice tach!