Hi Mike,
Like you my 92 Mark I was pretty limited in the cockpit with a radar display at the chart desk and no nav. It had a auto pilot but that didn't function.
I installed a garmin 4212 plus a dedicated instrumnet to show any selected function, such as wind, water etc., this info being repeated from the chart plotter. I installed it in a navpod on the existing pedistal guard which I took to a shop and had bent to about 27 degrees. The trick was running all the wiring through the 2 sides of the guard but with a little planning about which to put through first (anything with a connector) it all went in and I think I could get another wire or two in if I wanted to add anything. The whole setup works as advertised and did right from first start up.
There was a post a while ago about positioning of this stuff next to the magnetic compass and that was a consideration as the intallation manual wanted a lot of clearance. I temped it in place and turned it all on and nothing seemed to move so I took a chance and installed it pretty close to the mag compass. I have checked pretty closely and see no deviation from off to on or on any points of the compass. Everything seems to always agree with the mag compass and I have cross checked with a hand held compass held at a distance from the electronics.
I'm having trouble uploading a photo but will be happy to send you one in an e-mail. Send a request to [email]flynr@aol.com[/email]

Hi Mike.
The year before we left for the bahamas I took and up graded our whole pedestal guard and nav pods. I use to have the 1 inch dia tubing which was just a straight guard and not off set. The best thing I did was go to the 1 1/4,dia offset guard. I then bought one pod that held the radar and chart plotter which went on the angled section then I bought a pod for the upper section of the guard for the wind, depth and speed instruments. It took some planning but we are very pleased in the out come of it. If you go to the bigger guard you will have to replace the feet brackets and the bracket that is under the compus. We plan on keeping our boat and it was a great up grade. I would take some pictures but the boat is in Florida for the summer while we are back in Michigan for the summer. If you do go this route do sone shopping on the net as you can get some great prices as I did.
Randy

Mike.
Replacing the pedestal guard bracket was not that hard. But when I removed the compus I did take and mark the side of the compus where it sits on top of the pedestal with a pencil at the joint. Thus allowed me to get it back in the same spot. You will have 4 long screws to remove then the compus can be removed after you take the light off first.

The nicest remakes I've seen have included the larger pedestal tube raised higher, either at an angle or not.

The most repetitive mistake I've seen is where instrument pods (or even simple "clamp on" instruments) are attached to the top of whatever tube is there, thus eliminating a very, very important cockpit handhold.

I will try to attach a couple of pics of my boat. The previous owner did the upgrades, but the overall arrangement is really great. If the pics come through, maybe this will help you.
BTW, the engine gauges are all located lower in their own pod.

Cheers, Bill

Mike, the pushpit and stern seats were custom made by Railmakers. The previous owners had them made (thanks George and Josie). Very strong, with lots of room, as the seats are outboard of the cockpit.

Thanks for the compliment.

Bill

Mike,
if you are concerned about the cost that you will be putting into the boat with the idea of getting the money out you are asking the wrong question. I have a 1984 model and came to the conclusion that i will NEVER get the money out of the boat i've put in it. the question, at least in my mind is will it add value to your enjoyment of the boat. if you are looking at the 36 as something that you are going to use as a stepping stone to something larger i would only invest in things that might add to the attractiveness of selling the boat not necessarly add to the price of the boat.
I have added the stern seats from railmakers and they are very easy to work with and do a top notch job, you have any advantage in that you are close enough to them to pick up the rails which will reduce the cost since no shipping is involved. they work great the only thing that i have noticed is that i have to steer with my foot when seated there as it is a little to far from the wheel to steer by hand. i have also added a pedistial rail and it works great my only regret is that i didn't go with the 1 1/4 inch rail i have the 1 1/8 rail any way have fun with the projects cost be dammed!

[QUOTE=dejavu;9638]how much money should you put into a 20 year old boat?:confused:

Mike[/QUOTE]

Mike, my boat is 26 y.o., and I never stop putting money into it, whether I want to or not!