GPS and Fishfinder mount

[OdayDave]

Last year I added mount for a fishfinder since the shoals in Door County can be a problem in a few areas (especially given the varying levels of Lake Michigan). I found this swing arm at West Marine and mounted it to a wedge against the bulkhead (so it is perpendicular to the cabin sole). It can then be swung in or out of the cabin as needed. It has worked well thus far.

Dave
O'Day 222

 

[Joe11688]

Great job Dave! It looks good too.
Joe

 

[Mich222]

Nice Job O'DayDave.
The Lake in MN are so low right now- I may follow your lead and do the same.
Mick

 

[RECESS]

That is a nice swing arm mount. I was thinking of doing the same. The only drawback for me is needing to leave the cabin open in foul weather to be able to access the equipment. I think I may create a mount on my aft rail that just holds a piece of oak that drops into place and can be carried back into the cabin.

 

[OdayDave]

Good point. I agree that is a disadvantage and I have thought about some options that could work. One is to create a clear plexiglass hatchboard (for the bottom) that could be used if necessary. For the time being, I would probably just grab the portable GPS and live without the depthfinder. I have seen some options posted that built the depthfinder into hatchboards that would allow you to close the hatches and still see the instruments. And of course you could get a regular depthfinder and mount in on the bulkhead. I just didn't like the wires hanging on the inside of the bulkhead since there is no gap between the inside wood and the fiberglass bulkhead on the 222 to hide the backside of the depthfinder. That might not be an issue for the 25 if they have a liner. Plus the fishfinder is cheaper and gives a view of the contour of the bottom.

Dave
O'Day 222

 

[Shoaldrafter]

ODay Dave,

Where did you get swing arm?

Ed K
26

 

[OdayDave]

Ed,

I got it at West Marine on clearance last year. I don't see the exact same one there now, but they do have something that in the picture looks close, made by RAM. You may also want to do some checking online as well.

Dave
O'Day 222

 

[Joe11688]

That is a nice swing arm mount. I was thinking of doing the same. The only drawback for me is needing to leave the cabin open in foul weather to be able to access the equipment. I think I may create a mount on my aft rail that just holds a piece of oak that drops into place and can be carried back into the cabin.

I wouldn't let foul weather stop you from mounting a swing out arm for your electronics. Just do what I do. Buy a small polytarp and rig it over the companionway hatch in such a way that it will keep the rain out, and still allow you to go in and out of the cabin without messing with hatch boards. I do this all the time and it keeps my cabin dry. Who cares what the tarp looks like when it's up. When it stops raining and the sun comes out, you just fold it up and stow it in the lazarett. I'll bet that you can even come up with something that would make it resemble a dodger, which would make it easier to go in and out of the cabin without having to scrunch down.