One of my favorite ways of refurbishing an older used boat is to reface the gauges and replace the dash panel. It usually requires a couple afternoons working on the boat, and some down-time while the gauges are out, but the result is worth the trouble.
Livorsi Marine will take your old Livorsi or Gaffrig gauge, replace the face, change the rim, and even add a bezel. Prices start right around $15 for a two-inch gauge and go up to $60 for Monster-series gauges. Livorsi offers five face choices and a dozen rim colors.
Livorsi can turn the gauges around in a couple of days after they receive them, said company president Mike Livorsi. If the gauges on your boat are more than 10 years old, you might want to replace them. You’re looking at added expense, but it still makes a huge difference in the look and feel of the helm once you’re done.
“A gauge will last 20 years if you take care of it,” Livorsi said. “But if you use your boat in salt water, the gauges will last half as long.”
Here’s a tip when taking out the gauges: Take a picture of the dash before you begin the work to make sure you know the position of each gauge. And as you remove each wire, attach a piece of masking tape and mark each wire with a Sharpie so you know where it goes when reinstalling the gauges.
While you have the gauges out, it might be a good time to invest in a new dash panel or panels. Livorsi offers aluminum panels for as little as $150 and carbon-fiber panels for a bit more. Engine functions can be etched onto the panel where the gauges mount. However, the most economical way to refinish the dash is to remove it and repaint it yourself. If you take your time and do the prep work right, it looks great when you’re done and it costs a fraction of the price of a new panel.
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