[emarrero]

Just bought this 1998 4000 Express and one of the first items of business is to get the Captain's lair more up to snuff. The off-center chart plotter was driving me nuts and there were stickers all over the place.

   

• Ordered new switch covers, prying off the old ones, and popping brand new ones on.
  
• Fired up the old computer, researched all the stuff I wanted to add & move.
  
• Downloaded  the cutout templates for all the stuff.
  
• Drew it up on frontpanelexpress.com.
  

   

• 5 business days later:
  

   

• Carefully removed all the old stuff, some of which will be kept for the season
  
• Started cutting with one of those vibrating-toothy tools 
  

   

• Bolted all the new stuff in, et voila
  

   

I didn't upgrade the chart plotter but I did cleverly leave enough room for a 16" in case Santa is reading this post

You'll notice the little colored dots in the corners and center-bottom. I never remember which horn signal means left & right so I added permanent reminders.

Also I hope the folks at Tiara don't mind my adding their logo to the bottom right corner.

[Victorias seacret]

Just bought this 1998 4000 Express and one of the first items of business is to get the Captain's lair more up to snuff. The off-center chart plotter was driving me nuts and there were stickers all over the place.

Ordered new switch covers, prying off the old ones, and popping brand new ones on.

• Fired up the old computer, researched all the stuff I wanted to add & move.
  
• Downloaded  the cutout templates for all the stuff.
  
• Drew it up on frontpanelexpress.com.
  

• 5 business days later:
  

• Carefully removed all the old stuff, some of which will be kept for the season
  
• Started cutting with one of those vibrating-toothy tools 
  

• Bolted all the new stuff in, et voila
  

I didn't upgrade the chart plotter but I did cleverly leave enough room for a 16" in case Santa is reading this post :)

You'll notice the little colored dots in the corners and center-bottom. I never remember which horn signal means left & right so I added permanent reminders.

Also I hope the folks at Tiara don't mind my adding their logo to the bottom right corner.

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Where did you purchase the new switch covers?
I have a 96 3500 express and the helm switches all work but have started to get soft and tacky.

[emarrero]

Hi. I bought them from "The Switch Guys" [Only registered and activated users can see links Click here to register]

[MC1600]

Holy crap that’s beautiful! I’m going to redo mine in the next year or two and will be bookmarking this as I love that panel! All very slick — well done!

[August Rush]

This was mine from this year....done by boatoutfitters.com

Planning to complete top panel as soon as I figure out the NEMA conversion stuff to eliminate the tachs.

[emarrero]

I do like that double-barreled MFD look. You're going to make me spend money, August Rush.

[MC1600]

How do you all use the second MFD? I currently have an older Raymarine that I just overlap the radar and chart plotter. As I look to redo my helm, is the second one worth the money? Or can I be just as happy with one of the biggest ones I can fit in there?

[Sans Peur]

I have had side by side displays on my last 4 boats.i use one for plotter and radar and the other for depth. I always keep an eye on it while running. I find alot of bottom structure doing that.

[Tmanders]

We just finished our Helm in our 1998 40’ express.
As soon as I figure out how to post pictures I will share. We installed twin 16” Garmins.

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[Davisjarrett]

That is great work and impressed you tackled that. I need to install a radio in my new to me 32 as the previous owner just used a hand held and I am trying to determine if I am capable. Seeing this gives me some motivation.