<sub>Last Updated:

22 December 2006</sub>

During the off-season winter of 2005 - 2006, I decided to update my Sportsman's existing helm console. My goals were to update the safety, reliability, functionality, and appearance of the Evinrude Sportsman's instruments and controls. In short, I wanted to combine the best modern technology and allow it to compliment the tidy, 40-year-old design. For reference, several Evinrude Sportsman helm's can be viewed here. The completed project is detailed below.

One challenge was to optimize the limited available space, while accommodating the following devices:

The "lower" console area (blue-padded vinyl) provides space for:

•  VHF Marine DSC Radio (not shown) -- ICOM IC-M402 with remote CommandMIC
•  Six-Bank WeatherDeck™ Switch Group for Mechanical/Safety functions
•  OMC Tru-Course Rudder Indicator and "Destroyer" wheel
•  Four-Bank WeatherDeck™ Switch Group for Lighting functions
•  12-Volt accessory outlet
•  Ignition - Starter Key switch
•  Bennett Trim Tab Euro-style rocker switch
•  "Man Overboard" Lanyard (red) Safety Switch
•  Ritchie B-51 Explorer Compass (not shown)
•  "Blank" horizontal area for future gimbal-mounted GPS - Chartplotter - Sounder

The "upper" console area (flat-black background) provides for:

•  Eight, CruzPro digital marine instruments with NMEA 1083 data outputs:
  •  SLT-110, Speed (pulse driven) - Logging (Odo-Distance/Timer) - Temperature (water)
  •  RH-110, Engine RPM, Engine Hours, Elapsed Timer, Alarms
  •  OP-30, Engine Oil Pressure and Alarms
  •  T-30, Engine Coolant Temperature and Alarms
  •  A-30, Electrical load (Ammeter) and Alarms
  •  FU-30, Intelligent Fuel Gauge with Alarms and Consumption Calculator
  •  GD-25, Gasoline (petrol) Vapor Detector and Alarm
  •  D-30, Depth Sounder (1.2-ft to 1000-ft, 120 kHz Transducer) with Alarms

The under dash area "hides" the following:

•   Dual, relay-controlled, electric horns
•   Cole Hersee De-boarding Timer (w/ 2-4-6-8 minute delay) for Bilge blower
•   Hellroaring Technologies dual battery remote control switch/indicator
•   Original Map/Interior Light
•   Battery (B+) cut-off switch
•   Blue Sea Systems DC Distribution/Fuse Panel
•   Blue Sea Systems ammeter Shunt Shifter
•   Blue Sea Systems insulated dual distribution busses (qty., three)
•   Distribution of CruzPro instrument alarms - NMEA 1083 signal serial data streams

Also, the engine / bilge compartment is updated to accommodate:

•   Dual (Primary and backup) Optima Blue-top Batteries
•   Solid-state, Hellroaring Technologies automatic battery isolator-combiner
•   On-board, intelligent, rapid battery charger (single bank, 15-amp) from Dual Pro
•   Fire-Boy - Xintex  Clean Agent FE-241 MA-2 Automatic Discharge Extinguisher

Click on the links in the left page margin to learn more.