Instrument Consul

One of first projects that I wanted to undertake on Tra Bhui was to fit a permanent VHF radio. The Gig like most of the open Drascombes does not really have anywhere that a radio can be mounted which is readily accessible from the helm. To set the radio into the buoyancy tanks would not be ideal as the radio would then be either on the opposite side of the boat, between the helmsmen’s legs (under him) or behind the helmsman under the tiller.

The solution was to build a small instrument "pod" which would sit on top of the centreboard casing just in front of the helm. The pod would be able to accommodate the radio and a small switch panel (VHF / Chart plotter, anchor lights and running lights). It would also provide an ideal mounting for the Chart plotter.

In keeping with the rest of the woodwork I decided to make the pod out of 20mm thick Iroko. This would then be secured onto the top of the center board housing by stainless steel woodscrews driven upwards into it