I'm considering installing a Garmin Chartplotter on my H33. Does anyone have any pictures of their installations/locations to give me some ideas on a good place for it? The cockpit seems a little cramped for it but I know it is doable... Posting pictures would be very helpful! thanks,
Chartplotter Install Location?
- Thread starter mseifert
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Looks like a consensus...
Looks like it's a consensus that this install needs to be at the helm... that is what I was thinking but it was very helpful to get some ideas on how to do this. I wouldn't have though of looking into the helm guard to mount the equipment on, this is what I will probably do. Thanks for the suggestions!
Looks like it's a consensus that this install needs to be at the helm... that is what I was thinking but it was very helpful to get some ideas on how to do this. I wouldn't have though of looking into the helm guard to mount the equipment on, this is what I will probably do. Thanks for the suggestions!
Where did you get your helm guard?
Ed, where did you get your helm guard from? Everywhere I have seen online is much more expensive than what you mentioned $250+. What is tops-in-quality? thanks! --mike
Ed, where did you get your helm guard from? Everywhere I have seen online is much more expensive than what you mentioned $250+. What is tops-in-quality? thanks! --mike
A dissenting opinion
It's a bit late to the conversation, but I wanted to register an unconventional opinion: I don't think the helm is necessarily the best place for the chartplotter. I don't have a picture, but I have my Raymarine C80 mounted on the cockpit top, under the dodger near the companionway, and I think it's a great spot for it. I imagine most of the people insisting the chartplotter belong at the helm were probably thinking that the alternative was mounting it below decks. In that I agree with them: cabin mounted plotters, radars, and radios have always befuddled me, unless one always sails with a crew large enough to man them all separately and handle the helm as well. But mounting the plotter at the helm has drawbacks as well. Unless you are particularly well-protected there, you're out in the weather if you want to keep an eye on it. If you have an auto-pilot, you're throwing away half the advantage by putting the chartplotter at the wheel--may as well be steering yourself! My C80 has good enough resolution that I can see it adequately from the helm station where it is mounted now, so other than missing the at-your-fingertips controls, there's no disadvantage in that respect. It's mounted on a swivel, so should I (or someone else) want to check it from the cabin, they can pop their head out and swing it 90 degrees and have an up close and personal view. Finally, what it's best for is a shorter 45 degree turn, so that the watchkeeper can keep an eye on it while still in the cockpit, but forward under the protection of the dodger. With the integrated auto-pilot control, you can even make course corrections from the comfort and safety of that position. So, that's my vote--not a setup that will work for everyone or on all boats, but a good alternative to the helm mount in my book.
It's a bit late to the conversation, but I wanted to register an unconventional opinion: I don't think the helm is necessarily the best place for the chartplotter. I don't have a picture, but I have my Raymarine C80 mounted on the cockpit top, under the dodger near the companionway, and I think it's a great spot for it. I imagine most of the people insisting the chartplotter belong at the helm were probably thinking that the alternative was mounting it below decks. In that I agree with them: cabin mounted plotters, radars, and radios have always befuddled me, unless one always sails with a crew large enough to man them all separately and handle the helm as well. But mounting the plotter at the helm has drawbacks as well. Unless you are particularly well-protected there, you're out in the weather if you want to keep an eye on it. If you have an auto-pilot, you're throwing away half the advantage by putting the chartplotter at the wheel--may as well be steering yourself! My C80 has good enough resolution that I can see it adequately from the helm station where it is mounted now, so other than missing the at-your-fingertips controls, there's no disadvantage in that respect. It's mounted on a swivel, so should I (or someone else) want to check it from the cabin, they can pop their head out and swing it 90 degrees and have an up close and personal view. Finally, what it's best for is a shorter 45 degree turn, so that the watchkeeper can keep an eye on it while still in the cockpit, but forward under the protection of the dodger. With the integrated auto-pilot control, you can even make course corrections from the comfort and safety of that position. So, that's my vote--not a setup that will work for everyone or on all boats, but a good alternative to the helm mount in my book.
Ours is also at the helm. See Link below...
Having it at the helm gives me finger tip access to local tide and current status, marine services, route status, way point status, etc. I have an extra power cord for it so I can plot our next route at the navigation station and then tweak it at the helm while underway. Terry
Having it at the helm gives me finger tip access to local tide and current status, marine services, route status, way point status, etc. I have an extra power cord for it so I can plot our next route at the navigation station and then tweak it at the helm while underway. Terry
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