170 MONTAUK: Source for Front Accessory Panel Material

[Byrdeaux]

I need to replace the front accessory electrical panel on my 170 MONTAUK in order to install a new 24V connector that is too large to mount on the OEM panel. See Figure 1 below with original 12V plug:

Figure 1. OEM front accessory panel from 170 MONTAUK.

panel.jpeg (38.79 KiB) Viewed 635 times

Give me advice about the correct material for the panel and for a supplier of the material.

Q1: is there a factory front accessory panel for the 19ft or larger MONTAUK designed for a 24 V motor that could work?

[ivansfo]

Judging the the size of the new plug, can't you enlarge the hole panel to make it fit?

If you need to source panel stock material, I recently found the material from a company called Decorative Plastics. I ordered a sheet of 3/16-inch Matte Black boat panel to mount new gauges. The panel looks and feels like the exact material used by Whaler.

https://shop.decorativeplasticsheets.com/main.sc

If you want more details, here's my thread regarding my search and project. And I ultimately discovered one of the vendors that Boston Whaler sourced their panels.

https://continuouswave.com/forum/viewto ... 236#p37236

[jimh]

If the 'new" connector is shown in Figure 1, it looks like it fits the old panel already. Please clarify what is shown in Figure 1.

Electrical panels can easily be fabricated with aluminum sheet. Aluminum is easy to work with and can be easily painted. For an example see my project at

Conventional Gauge Rigging
https://continuouswave.com/whaler/refer ... gging.html

If you want the white stripe surround, you can add that with pinstripe tape, available at auto stores.

I bought the aluminum sheet from a local supplier. The shop was also able to shear the material is the approximate dimensions needed, saving me the task of trying to cut long straight lines with a hand saw.

[Phil T]

Make a template of the new recepticle hole size and then use the appropriate hole saw.

If you are not satisfied with modifying the existing, I would fabricate a new panel from aluminum painted black or 1/4" starboard.

If not a DIY person, visit http://www.newwiremarine.com. You can use their panel wizard and design your own. If you want something the wizard can't do, look at their custom panel services. They are very reasonable.

A Whaler dealer's parts department can order you a new panel plate but it will be expensive.