My C36 (Hull #146) had started to show its age.   Most of the lettering was worn out, the gauges were fogged over and the lights had failed seasons ago, I didn't even know what they were for, as they were worn long before I got the boat.   The previous owner had swapped out the tach, so I wasn't even sure how much of what I had was original 1984 Catalina.   I had a tach and temperature gauge that worked, that's all that really mattered to me when away from the dock.

 

I called Catalina directly to see what could be done and they pointed me to Seaward Products.  It was my understanding that Seaward makes the current panels for most of the Catalina boats.   Talk to Dennis Igarashi in the Panel Department   (562) 699-7997 ext.210.  He's great and helped me through the process.

Talking with Seaward, they actually make an upgrade kit.  The PUK-80 is the new face plate, nicely labeled, and all of the lights and buttons.  You simply add your gauges, ignition key, start switch, wire it up and you're all set.. or so I thought.. 

 

The dimensions are 13.5"x5.625" and SHOULD fit into your current housing.   In my case, the 1983/84 and perhaps the 85 boats which have the engine panel on the port seat, low to the floor, are very slightly different due to the shape of the bulkhead.  There is a second problem that comes into play with the manual cutoff.   As you can see in my old panel, the cut off lever was mounted in the panel.   With the new kit, that is not an option and is mounted under the panel, on the tray frame.  

 

That required the purchase of a new housing, what Catalina calls the Engine Tray.   This was a tad more difficult.  Catalina makes two models, a frame or a fully enclosed model.   Again the 1983/84 was slightly different.   Kent and Jerry Desantos thought that I was nuts, until I started sending them pictures.  It took a few days, but they instantly understood the problem and made me the engine tray/bucket from an older mold that they had.   I think that they charged me around $70 for that.   My guess is that they have that mold handy if anyone else is going to need one.

 

That instantly solved my problem and I was able to mount the new bucket with some minor cutting to the bulkhead and a few stainless steel screws. 

 

My next step was to determine what I wanted for gauges.   I was told that the best of the best were Faria and after checking out their website, I confirmed that they were in fact the top of the line.     Prices for Faria gauges are high..   A full set can easily set you back a boat buck and a half.   Seaward Products has gauge sets as well and some very competitive prices.   So, please take a look at what they have to offer before you decide what you're going to purchase.  They come installed on the panel, which will save you hours of wiring.

 

I did a quick eBay search and found that there are hundreds of used and new Faria gauges online. (http://www.faria-instruments.com)  I ended up buying the top of the line set, gold dials, black background, white lettering a full set for under $200.00  mine were brand new and part of a dealer closeout.  So look around!!!!!

The PUK-80 kit comes with a High Water Temperature alarm.   That also requires a new wire from the panel to the engine.  BUT in older M25's, it also requires you to change out the thermostat housing and add the high water sensor.   The older thermostat housings only have one sensor hole in them which is traditionally used for the water temperature sensor.   You need a second fitting to add the high water sensor. 

                    So add in a Thermostat Housing                        $57.00
                    High Water Sensor                                                  $24.00
                    Misc. (wires,connectors,caulking)                      $30.00

 While I was in there, I replaced the thermostat, the gaskets and water temperature sensor.   I  did this as it made sense at the time, and was not needed as part of this project.  So your call.   I did save the old housing, thermostat and sensor as part of my spare parts kit.  They'd work in a pinch if ever needed.

 The Seaward kit comes with a wiring diagram, that takes you through step by step to retrofit to the new panel, it worked flawlessly and didn't take too long to get it all together.

 Once I got all of the parts in one location, it's a day project, but from the pictures you can see the end result and how it looks.