When we saw 461 no1, it simply had the chartplotter etc fixed into the face of the cabinet above the nav table.

 

We thought this a bit crude, so when we got ours we had a new leather covered panel built into the cupboard to take all the instruments, and made the cupboard door removable. 

 

The idea was it would be off when we sailed, and on when we were parked - and thereby maintains good looks down below.

 

Fact is - it's not been put back once this summer - so Sues asked me to sort an easier but still good looking way to cover up the below deck instruments.

 

I know some 461's were produced later with a wooden fold over door - but the mechanism looked all a bit clunky for me, plus it takes up a lot of space inside the cupboard I'd prefer to leave for instruments.

 

So have hunted out OEM suppliers of shutter type doors and found a firm Plastil in the UK that make such for cabinet makers.  £130 pooerer saw what we ordered delivered in a week - and a week later here is the end result.

 

The shutter runs in tracks, here it is open.

 

 

Here it is half closed.

 

 

And heres what it looks like fully closed.

 

 

 

We think it's a pretty neat solution.

 

Having said that, if we were to do it again with more time, I possibly go for a matt black as opposed to silver finish, and change the inside panel front so the shutter could operate from the top down.

 

We had few alternatives with only 10 days in the Uk to source it and get it made / delivered, so we went with what we could get and are not unhappy - but others with more time might prefer those alternatives.

 

You see, upgrades never end, even after three years.

 

JOHN