Replacing remote, using smaller hole..what to do?

[scokill]

So my new head unit doesn't work with my old remote. The problem is the old remote used a 3" hole, and the new remote is rectangular but uses a 2" hole. The new unit's rectangular dimensions are (L X W) 4 3/8" x 2 3/4" . I'm good on width but 1/4" shy of covering the hole. What to do? Thought about cutting a just shy of 3" wooden plug with a 2" hole, glassing it in, and gelcoating above and below. I think I could do it, but do I/should I? Do I make a slightly oversized mounting plate out of lexan/plastic, mount the remote to it, and then mount the plate to the boat? Any suggestions?

 

[BigAbe75]

@Drift Away moved his and installed a table leg mount over the hole, if I recall correctly.

 

[Recoveringfiberglassaddic]

So my new head unit doesn't work with my old remote. The problem is the old remote used a 3" hole, and the new remote is rectangular but uses a 2" hole. The new unit's rectangular dimensions are (L X W) 4 3/8" x 2 3/4" . I'm good on width but 1/4" shy of covering the hole. What to do? Thought about cutting a just shy of 3" wooden plug with a 2" hole, glassing it in, and gelcoating above and below. I think I could do it, but do I/should I? Do I make a slightly oversized mounting plate out of lexan/plastic, mount the remote to it, and then mount the plate to the boat? Any suggestions?

I like to make panels. This little DIY video can show you how to get that brushed finish and eliminate tooling marks from the fabrication process. You can usually make a small.panel out of scrap so cost is nil.

Whole lot easier than resin, chop mat, gel and wet sanding ?

 

[scokill]

@Drift Away moved his and installed a table leg mount over the hole, if I recall correctly.

I have a buddy that works for company that makes panels and assemblies for NASA. He has access to their machine shop. A common friend suggested the same thing. Thanks.

 

[scokill]

@Drift Away moved his and installed a table leg mount over the hole, if I recall correctly.

Certainly an option! I was thinking I only need to cover about 1/4” total....or about 1/8” top and bottom. Do I epoxy two thin plywood strips as a backer on top and bottom extending over hole by 1/4”. Use a filler and then thin gel coat. Only 1/8” of the repair would show top and bottom

 

[tdonoughue]

I think first I would find the thinnest cutting board I could find in an optimal color and use that to cover the hole, then drill in it the needed holes for the remote. You could bevel or round the cutting board, too, to make it look stock, I bet.

 

[scokill]

used a 6 in section of yardstick to and bottom. Gel epoxied it in to place, next day used epoxy putty. Sanded, and primed just the expoxy. Painted handful of very thin coats of white spray paint, sanded, painted, sanded, etc. etc. Here is before after. FYI...the Fusion NRX300 remote is around $199. I found a Garmin Meteor 300 remote which is the exact same, just Garmin labeled. Paid $75 on eBay for open box. Needed cable and a couple of network terminators which was about $40. So $115 vs ~$199 good deal.