TOPIC: How to cover up the holes left behind

In restoring my 1962 MFG Edinboro, I was faced with fixing the holes in the dash left behind by the removed ignition switch, engine light, and the ammeter from the no longer used 1962 Evinrude Lark.. It was going to be real expensive and possibly with less than successful results repairing the fiberglass. It was going to be real tough to match the red on that large an area. The current 1984 Evinrude 70 now on it has everything in the control.

I found that OMC made a black plastic panel that would cover the holes perfectly. No longer available from BRP, the panels can be found on ebay for less that $10. I plan to add a tachometer and voltmeter to that spot in the future, but in the meantime, the blanking panel does the job to cover the holes.

Here's the panel, and before and after pictures on my red Edinboro.

I had a huge hole (Over 4") on my dash with a crappy metal plate covering it that added a bunch of screw holes around it. This was my solution. A cup holder! LOL!

Difference between covering up and actually repairing those babies. I did a combo of the two. Actually repaired the holes, made plugs to fill the voids and then glassed, filled and did a complete body repair. Painted and then fabricated a thin bloodwood panel to update a 58 yr old dashboard. This way if a new instrument is added there is a solid back to start with.

That came out looking great!

Hey Dave, nice boat! Just curious, what are you planning for those Lark instruments, like the ammeter and engine light? I have a Lark, but need the meter at least . . . Let me know, thanks!

The Lark was traded in by the previous owner in 1984. However, they left the ammeter, which I still have after removal from the dash.

Well, ok. Would you be interested in selling it?

Now there's an idea...

Awesome job, looks like a 'Shell Lake' boat...???

...I really hate it when I see this stuff... Ugh...

It is a Shell Lake. The dash holes are cosmetic and repairable. I suppose at the time the PO's added what they wanted, radios, meters, etc. Problem is that it's permanent and decreases value. Look on the bright side. The holes are not in the bottom

At least it is not like when I see a big seat base and removable pedestal seat bolted through the deck of a Glassic from 50s or 60s and a trolling motor bolted through as well. It is their boat to do as they wish and likely an inexpensive fishing boat... hopefully not a rare one.

63 Sabre wrote: Difference between covering up and actually repairing those babies. I did a combo of the two. Actually repaired the holes, made plugs to fill the voids and then glassed, filled and did a complete body repair. Painted and then fabricated a thin bloodwood panel to update a 58 yr old dashboard. This way if a new instrument is added there is a solid back to start with.

That is a really awesome job you did. What instrument might you add? It would be very hard for me to cut a hole in that woodwork but if tastefully done, it would work.

Thank you. The only instrument I added is a chrome depth finder readout. Where I run there are reefs, sandbars, etc. Found a 2" one on ebay that pretty well matched what I wanted. All the other controls I placed on the starboard side of the helm to keep the dash clean. Two push/pull switches, one for navigation lights and the other to control the on/off of the finder and digital volt meter. Horn button, choke and ignition.