what does a console need

[ybrabjm]

okay, restoring a pontoon and need some suggestions. it does not have a console so i am going to buy a pre-fab. the boat has a 35 hp force motor. i will have a fish finder, rocker switchs for accessaries, power outlet, glove box, and probley a stereo. what about gauges. i am looking at staying simplistic as possible here. do not care about speed odometer or anything else. my first thought was not to put any gauges. i have not decided on wether to use portable or permenant gas tanks, if permanent, i guess i will need a fuel gauge. any suggestions on were to mount a permanent gas tank? this is a 1988 harris flotebote 20' ultralite. again i do not want to over complicate this process, but also do not want to wish i had added something later on down the road. this will be used mostly for fishing, but i know the wife will want to take the grandkids out too, so i will have to add some aminities like seats and stuff. cost is not a big issue but i do not want to sink enough in it to buy a new one either. any help or suggestions would be great, thanks

 

[lmuss53]

Re: what does a console need

I would add a tach to the things you listed. The motor has a specified range that it should run in at wide open throttle (WOT), and the tach will let you know that you are there. WOT rpm's too high you need more prop pitch, WOT rpm's too low (this will kill your motor real fast) you need less prop pitch.

Later the tach will allow you to know when you are in you best fuel consumption rpm range.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: what does a console need

Until you make up your mind what "you" want it doesn't matter what we feel. Some will insist on a full set of gauges. You admit you don't need them except for a fuel gauge. Until you decide on what type of tanks you will use this question has no answer. A tach for any engine can be as simple as a "Tiny Tach" or as complete as a multi-function gauge. Again, your choice. If your engine has power tilt&trim, you may want/need a trim gauge especially if you can't see the engine from the helm. Since you have an electrical system, you need a voltmeter to show whether or not the charging system is working. Then there is the issue of a water pressure guage and engine temperature gauge. Both of those are high on my list. But let's be practical here. If you boat on a small lake where you could nearly swim to shore from anywhere on the lake (figuratively speaking of course) you probably don't need any gauges. However, if you are frequently on a very large body of water, you want a reasonable set of instruments.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: what does a console need

this is my personal feeling on gauges. i don't want any. you can use a tiny tach. to get your motor set up properly, after that you do not need a tach. if built in tank, fuel gauge is a must. gauges can read wrong, quit, just something else to break, and aggravate you on a nice day on the water. my ears can tell me if something is wrong.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: what does a console need

I would look a getting a decent fish finder too, maybe pony up to a cheaper one with GPS built in (humminbird 580 for example). Its very nice to have and be able to push a button and mark "bad" spots especially if you frequent many different lakes plus it has a built in GPS speedometer. A Tach is the only other gauge I would run.