Do I need a pedestal guard?

woodster · Oct 6, 2013

it does make a nice grab point at times.......

regards

woody

Bill1565 · Oct 6, 2013

fiestaMojo said:
is there a reason, other than mounting instruments or a teak holder of some sort, to install a pedestal guard? this is an expensive project, searching for used options lead me to believe that I can do almost as well with new through one of the online retailers. . . does anyone make a bracket that mounts on the pedestal for mounting an instrument (or two)?

Nobody "needs" pedestal guards or, sailboats for that matter. I loved my $1100 Edison with single lever shifter and $300 nav pod. Found out later that Navionics software on my IPad was best nav tool I have ever had.

Navicula · Oct 6, 2013

a grab rail....is a great asset ... A must have to get around the cockpit

Ross · Oct 6, 2013

You can grab the pedestal guard or the engine control. Your boat , your call.

arf145 · Oct 7, 2013

I added a pedestal guard to the Edson pedestal on my last boat purely so I would have a place to mount a chartplotter. But we soon were marveling at how we ever got along without that wonderful handhold!

Warren Milberg · Oct 7, 2013

Very handy to have a pedestal guard. You can often find them on eBay or in consignment stores for a good price. Get one. You will like it.

nolasafari · Oct 7, 2013

Navicula said:
a grab rail....is a great asset ... A must have to get around the cockpit

This

Johnb · Oct 7, 2013

Maybe quite simple

A pedestal guard could consist of just an upside down U which might be made from a 10 ft piece of SS tube attacked with a pipe bender. The pedestal provides the support, or am I missing something.

BobM · Oct 7, 2013

I have just a simple pedestal guard you can have for free. It is fir an Edson with the normal 9" spread.

jhnewsome17 · Oct 7, 2013

fiestaMojo said:
is there a reason, other than mounting instruments or a teak holder of some sort, to install a pedestal guard? this is an expensive project, searching for used options lead me to believe that I can do almost as well with new through one of the online retailers. . . does anyone make a bracket that mounts on the pedestal for mounting an instrument (or two)?

I recently installed a Lowrance HDS7 Chartplotter at my helm and faced the problem of whether to add a pedestal guard or not. I decided against it primarily to save room in the cockpit and to avoid drilling holes in the cockpit floor. I did have to construct a custom made mounting system but came up with a design that gave me a nice drink tray as well as base for mounting the chartplotter.

Click here for a link to a picture.

Captn TJ · Oct 7, 2013

The one thing you'll have to remember about it is that it's going to be grabbed by you or the crew in the worst of sailing conditions and with full force. So make sure it's sturdy.

Chris Patterson · Oct 8, 2013

Johnb said:
A pedestal guard could consist of just an upside down U which might be made from a 10 ft piece of SS tube attacked with a pipe bender. The pedestal provides the support, or am I missing something.

It's really more like either/or. With Edsons' ped bracket holding the guard at roughly 6 inches from the X & Y, (kind of), and the guard bolted firmly down makes an incredibly strong handhold, as you've increased the footprint exponentially. With a good cockpit floor, on my boat I think I could tow with it. Not that anyone would do that, but it would take a helluva lot of yanking on it by a tough man to do it any harm..

Ross · Oct 8, 2013

Remember that when the going gets tough, the tough grab hold of the closest thing and hang on.

Maine Sail · Oct 8, 2013

The NavPod SG-10 is a reasonably priced 1" straight pedestal guard for an Edson pedestal. You will then need a pedestal guard top plate Edson #1625ST-45 and they run about $100.00. Lastly you will need Edson pedestal guard feet Edson #310ST-100-125 and they run about $60.00.

For mounting electronics I created/designed the method below and also manufacture and sell the mounting boards pre-made to make it easier.. It will fit 4" 5" and 7" plotters.

Maine Sail · Oct 24, 2013

fiestaMojo said:
thanks for all the input, and a Big thanks to Bob M for the pedestal guard - have to get the feet and bracket and install. . .
question to all - I've noticed in pics of setups that chartplotters seem to be close to the compass - is there a minimum distance that needs to be maintained between the instrument and compass? Standard Horizon tech support told me "several feet", but that doesn't seem to be the case with what I've seen. . .

All electronics can interfere with the compass. It is always best to have a competent compass adjuster come to your boat, swing the compass with the electronics on and off, and make you the deviation cards.

With my mount above the unit can easily be removed and your compass is no longer affected, provided you have a deviation card for that scenario as well.

In this day and age it seems no one cares about compasses, not Garmin, not Raymarine no one, not even boat owners or boat builders. I just came back from the Annapolis show and 7 figure boats have 12" plus plotters mounted 6" from a magnetic compass.....

That said its not just builders most boat owners could care less too. I can't tell you the last time I was on a boat that actually had a deviation card, including the one that left for the Bahama's last week....

I still prefer to have a well calibrated professionally swung compass and my electronics at the helm. Most of them can be swung and deviation cards made even with electronics close by....

Do I need a pedestal guard?

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