On Mon, 25 Apr 2005 18:33:53 +0800, Old Nick
nsnsafemail#iinet.net.au wrote:

On Mon, 25 Apr 2005 01:09:22 -0500, Richard J Kinch
wrote:

Could you not build a console out of ply to suit your needs, then
colour, glass over, or varnish to suit your needs?

I have a 14' Zodiac-style inflatable boat with no console or other
provision for instruments, and I want to mount a console-style VHF radio
somewhere on it. The plywood floor and transom are the only solid
items available for mounting things.

What about the mid-ship seat? Could you not fab up a small gasketed
box that screws into a glassed in pad on the underside? You could then
use one of those current units that have the water-resistant remote
mic with some of the common controls on them. Remove the mic and cord
when you leave the boat.

FWIW, I have a Zodiac Yachtline 1 310C I rigged with an AGM Harley
battery that I charge via the magneto on my old Honda 9.9 four stroke.
I could have just run 12 volt nav lights straight from the magneto,
but then I lose the lights when the engine's off, and voltage
regulation is an issue. Having the battery means I can have running
lights with the engine off, and I can and have used a 12 V spotlight
to see ahead and make out shore features and to run a handheld GPS
constantly (my old Magellans will eat a couple of AAs in two hours).

I suppose I could put in my small 175 W inverter and run a string of
Christmas lights or a car stereo, but some would consider this
overkill in a 11 foot RIB g

R.