Dash panel

Just looking for a bit of advice really, as you know after the theft of my boat the marina and myself are looking into getting my brass panel repaired. Only firm we have found say for £200 they can attempt a repair but will still see some damage afterwards ! Don't know if i want to take the risk  of it not looking right as the damage is all along the front. Anyone know of a firm that builds panels ideally in brass or on the off chance anyone have a 5 gauge, 4 small and 1 larger rev counter panel ? but for £200 or so Dragon will make a panel with all gauges.

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At the risk of being controversial I was wondering if it has to be in brass? Was it actually brass in the first place or painted and subsequently stripped? There are no obviously other brass features nearby, and are indeed are all silver or chrome. 
I was thinking myself that a panel of black Perspex, radiused comers, would look very smart and show off the chrome bezels so well and a nice, even logical, match too to your classic fraction throttle, with its original black handle ...
What do you think of that?!

Sticking with the original brass, quoted £200 from a local metal farication firm.

I reckon that is a complicated job so it won't be cheap. Have they explained to you how they will repair the panel?

No not really, other option suggested was a brand new panel and gauges made up which is not much dearer than the repair. Only problem is the new panel comes pre wired with a multi plug and new sensor units and supplying company says boat may want a new wiring loom !! Can see that opening a can of worms with the problems getting the right senders/sensors on these old boats.
Would prefer it was repaired if poss even if it is not 100% perfect to try and keep it original and quickest option to get back afloat.

Repair is a better option for all the reasons you state. You do need to find someone who knows what they are doing though. Your average bar body shop/panel beaters could make it worse. 

This is the sort of work carried out by people who restore vintage motor bikes & cars. They make and repair tanks and the other small panels found on these machines. The corners and joints on these old parts were rolled and folded and that's the skill you're looking for.

I couldn't work out how to lift the pictures of his own new panel from Botley Bouy's 'New Boat' topic 
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I do believe you could be asking his advice re your panel. To be sold a ready made panel c/w instruments, and then the rewiring you described, sounds quite over the top and unnecessary for you in the situation and will give you grief.

My old one fits inside the rectangular wood frame. Rich's looks like it was made to fit over the frame to give more room for the extra instruments. A nice job my whoever did it.

Aww rich how disheartening. I didn't know. So sorry. That is the deluxe panel . Mine was the basic model. I did make one out of hardwood once and lacquered black gloss on it. It took a bit of routering but it looked ok even though the lights etc were glued in. I will keep my eyes open for you up here on the Lancaster best wishes

The other option is this stuff.
They cut it to your spec, route any labelling you want to the white layer beneath the black top surface

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My electrical panel is made like this

Ha, thanks Pat, thats the very company i am in contact with. Been down today and a fair bit of woodwork damage from gland pliers wrenching the dash up so may go for a panel only with new toggle switches slightly bigger which should disguise the damaged area a bit and maybe see if i can get it made with 6 switches instead of 4 to bring the bilge overide and blower switches together on it. Thinking maybe the off white panel they do. Will be a damn site cheaper than a repair. Also my gauges are all bar one are good Smiths ones so would like to keep them if poss.

Rich
Another thought for locating a repairer - Bicester Heritage Centre.
There are loads of companies there that can repair any part of any car or bike. However, I think they may be expensive, but I'll bet you won't see the join when they've finished it. I'm sure they'll even be able to supply, or at least locate, any gauge you require.

Good luck

Thanks for replies, down marina tomorrow to discuss options. Not worried about cost as long as insurance sanction any repairs. Toss up between a new panel with new toggle switches and ignition switch from the link Pat put up from Dragon or repair as best as the existing panel. Poss going for the repair as a quicker turnaround and have a plan in mind to tidy it up afterwards.

Is marina and insurance work always so long winded ? 8 days in and marina not even been on boat to assess damage. Just got a gut feeling this will drag on. Been down today but they say nothing can happen until the work is assessed and work agreed with Craftinsure and as they are busy sounds like it wont be soon. Cannot move boat unless i replace leaking exhaust so really stuck in their hands. Hasn't helped with marina being broken into and lots of tools and equiptment being stolen.

Oh dear ! One thing on top of another 

Have you chased your insurer ?

Who is your insurance co you are with

Craftinsure, it's not them they are awaiting a written quotation to approve to proceed with the work. 8 days in and not even been on boat yet. Annoying as i could replace exhaust and I've got it running just needs ignition barrel refitting then it would be useable albeit with a mangled dash. But hands tied at moment.

Been talking to Andrew at Sheridan on the off chance he knew about a replacement but he's never seen a brass dash in a Freeman so looks like it's going to have to be repaired the best as can be.
Have got a price from Dragon marine systems and seems silly cheap at £98 with all new ignition and toggle switches so that is an option but unsure if i want a plastic dash.