How about wood and black?

Not bad. So long as the instrument panel itself is not wood, you can get away with this.

Kelly

For the sized boat I am assuming that is, the instrument panel itself seems farily small. But of course, I am one to stuff gauges and displays into a boat, so I would like a bit more open "real estate" for this purpose. They are already making "wedgies" to add instruments. Far better to have a console completely across the top of the helm area.

And a boat that size should have room for a laptop as well. I would perfer to see something built in for that purpose too. A laptop would have wires laying all around, and be prone to sliding off the top of the helm. There are makers of AC/DC powered marine computers that securely bolt down.

I would like to see a modular approach to a instrument panel. Something like a sectional system with several panels, each of which can be popped off from the front for maintenance, and better yet - replaced as instrumentation becomes obsolete.

Of course, none of this matters much since we'll probably not get another boat (unless some as of yet unknown rich uncle dies and leaves me an inheritance).

Al, I'm with you when it comes to wanting a laptop on the helm. As I looked at the photo (it's the helm on a 54' Ocean Alexander) I thought it could be mounted to the port side of the helm where those books are.

One of my friends from the club has a laptop mounted on the helm of his 48' Ocean Alexander. I don't know what the mount brand is, but it holds the laptop up off the helm and he keyboard is angled toward the helm seat. I'll be seeing him in the next week or so and can check with him about his setup.

RAM mounts have some really nice laptop mounts.

Plenty of room to add what you want to this Carver 56 helm. Just thought I would post this for Al, so he can start planning his projects for when he gets this boat.

I love that helm. Beam me up Scotty.

How about this in a 53-footer?

Very nice.

FLB, is that a Selene? Nordhaven?

I've sat in the helm of the 53 Carver and didn't like it. No easy access to the side walkways, and no counter space to set food, computers, charts, etc.

Looks like the Starship Enterprise, but not one I'd like. Carvers are off the short list because of the helm design.

You getting paid by the smiley or something???

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?