GPS Mount for 26 Classic

FlyboyTR

FlyboyTR

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Dec 17, 2015
46
Macgregor 26 Classic, Swing Keel (26-S) Dog River, AL
I wanted a way to mount my Garmin 441s GPS/chart-plotter on our 26 classic. I considered options around the rear of the cockpit...but didn't like any of them. I built a mount that swings into the cabin or out into the hatchway for access from the cockpit. Since it will swing to the inside, routing, etc, adjustments, etc can be made from inside or out. Also, while inside, I will have easy access to my anchor alarm. I also run XM WX (weather); so I can keep up with current weather and radar images easily from inside or outside the cabin. This is a short YouTube video showing the mount.

 
Sumner

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
The mount looks really nice!!!
Can you see detail well on the screen back on the tiller? My Mac came with the depth finder up there and it was hard to read from the rear of the cockpit so moved the new one, which is also a chart plotter to a sliding mount on the lifeline and really like it there......
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor-navigation/Cuda 350.html
..... I'll also put the new 7 inch Standard Horizon chartplotter on the sliding mount.
Sumner
========================================================
1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac...
Endeavour 37 Mods...
MacGregor 26-S Mods...
Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida, Bahamas
 
walt

walt

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Jun 1, 2007
3,535
Macgregor 26S Hobie TI Ridgway Colorado
I use mine mostly to tell speed and water depth (occasionally look at the map) but like to see this both sailing and motoring. If you use that for sailing (which I do), that spot in the companion way is about the only place you can can see it from all angles (motoring from the back or sailing sitting on either side). I picked the same spot as Flyboy and after a few years of using this, still like that position.

I cant say this will happen on your boat but if your sailing the boat and someone goes through the companionway, the instrument is likely to get bumped. An option that allows the bumps is the ram mount shown in picture. Its rigid enough to not move even in some wild sailing but it gives if someone falls into it.

cp_8.jpg
 
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Likes: Bfranchini
FlyboyTR

FlyboyTR

.
Dec 17, 2015
46
Macgregor 26 Classic, Swing Keel (26-S) Dog River, AL
Sumner,
I use this same unit for all our boats...I have installed wiring, transducers and mounts on each boat. So I just move the head around. The 441s has a small screen and has been in use for about 7 years. On the other boats it is easy to see. However, on the Mac...I will have to focus a bit more. But...neither am I scooting along at 30+ MPH! Depth, heading, speed, etc, etc will still be easy enough to read. I plan to tie it to the RayMarine ST1000 autopilot. So it will help with motoring our 7 mile trek down the River from our house to the Bay. I don't foresee any issues. I guess time will tell once we have it up and running! OH...interesting lifeline mount! I like the PVC fittings...my kind of thinking! :)

I will be building an enclosure to mount inside the hull for the transducer. Basically an open bottomed container glued to the hull. The transducer mounts inside the container so the angle can be adjusted. When completed, fill the container with antifreeze and put the lid on it. I typically use a heavy Rubbermaid kitchen storage container. I notch the lip so the cable can feed through and the lid can still snap on. Works good and gets fairly close on the temp...just slow to change.

Walt,
Glad to hear the location has worked out well for you. I had considered a Ram mount...but this was a simple, cheap project. Since I use the eye bolts to adjust the swing tension, it will easily move if bumped. Although...I didn't think about what would happen if it were accidently pushed downward. Hummmmm. Again, time will tell. Should disaster strike, I will rebuild it and include a vertical axis to allow for movement in all directions.

Thanks...I appreciate the insight and comments.
 
FlyboyTR

FlyboyTR

.
Dec 17, 2015
46
Macgregor 26 Classic, Swing Keel (26-S) Dog River, AL
Yesterday we got everything hooked up and wiring secured. The transducer installation will have to wait a few days. After powering up the unit, both Kathy and I could easily read all the critical data from the 441s screen from anywhere in the cockpit. If she gets to feeling a bit better today (got the crud...) we may go out for a while.

As an FYI regarding depth transducers that are dry mounted (like on the stern of the boat); they can easily be damaged by turning on your plotter/sounder without being in the water to cushion the impulse waves (or whatever they're called) generated by the transducer. When mounted inside a flooded container within the boat, it doesn't hurt them to be operated with the boat out of the water.
 
walt

walt

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Jun 1, 2007
3,535
Macgregor 26S Hobie TI Ridgway Colorado
Interesting about the transducer.. I have run my depth finder many times in two different boats out of the water but for both boats, the transducer is epoxied to the hull so I haven't had any issue. On the small boat (C15), the "clicking" of the transducer is loud enough that I can hear it.

A little off topic (hope thats OK by now..) are you keeping the Windrider? Never been on one but they look like a lot of fun. I think it would be a nice complement to the Mac (especially if you have your own launch spot). The bay in the Dog river looks plenty big enough for a small sailboat.
 
FlyboyTR

FlyboyTR

.
Dec 17, 2015
46
Macgregor 26 Classic, Swing Keel (26-S) Dog River, AL
walt said:
Interesting about the transducer.. I have run my depth finder many times in two different boats out of the water but for both boats, the transducer is epoxied to the hull so I haven't had any issue. On the small boat (C15), the "clicking" of the transducer is loud enough that I can hear it.

A little off topic (hope thats OK by now..) are you keeping the Windrider? Never been on one but they look like a lot of fun. I think it would be a nice complement to the Mac (especially if you have your own launch spot). The bay in the Dog river looks plenty big enough for a small sailboat.
Click to expand
Walt,
I believe if the transducer is epoxied to the interior of the hull it may provide enough dampening to prevent/reduce damage. I have trashed two Garmin and 1 Hummingbird transducers over the years. Usually from pulling the boat out of the water with the machine still running.

We want to keep the Windrider because it is a blast. But...we own five boats (not our greatest number...) and as we have gotten older we can't seem to keep up with using and maintaining all of them (like we used to). We may sell it...but WOW...it is such a blast. As recent as last night we were reliving our 5 day camping/sailing trip with some friends; watching our Survivor video. Considering that we were having 30+ winds, loaded to capacity and still making 14+ knots into the wind...that is sort of hard to give up! LOL Yes...still off topic (and sailboat brand)...but this is a link to that video, 47 minutes long.
 
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RussC

RussC

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Sep 11, 2015
1,603
Merit 22- Oregon lakes
What a great video FlyboyTR. Jennifer and I just watched the whole thing and had an awesome vicarious adventure along with you. thanks for taking us along for the ride.

:thumbup:
 
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centerline

centerline

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Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
the video is absolutely great!... it was put together very well. makes me wish I was in the land of 10,000 lakes, with a keelless sailing craft:(
 
FlyboyTR

FlyboyTR

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Dec 17, 2015
46
Macgregor 26 Classic, Swing Keel (26-S) Dog River, AL
Thanks....Glad you enjoyed the video. The kind words are appreciated! The Windrider draws 18" empty...almost the same as our Mac Classic! This fall we want to do the trip again with the other Windriders...but we may do it in the Mac. A lot slower pace...but at least we will have a few more creature comforts! Maybe something to plan for!

We just got back in from a nice sail...about 21 miles total. We are able to see all the numbers on the Garmin in its new mount. Very pleased!
 
Doug J

Doug J

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May 2, 2005
1,192
Hunter 26 Oceanside, CA
Great Video, really enjoyed it! Went into it thinking I was gonna watch only a little bit, but it was so good I couldn't break away, watched all 47 minutes. Thank You!
 
FlyboyTR

FlyboyTR

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Dec 17, 2015
46
Macgregor 26 Classic, Swing Keel (26-S) Dog River, AL
Doug J said:
Great Video, really enjoyed it! Went into it thinking I was gonna watch only a little bit, but it was so good I couldn't break away, watched all 47 minutes. Thank You!
Click to expand
Doug, Glad you enjoyed it. While it is not Mac related, it is the reason we ended with the Mac. The Windrider is an amazing little boat! Thanks again...
 
BudGates

BudGates

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Apr 19, 2012
1,043
O'Day Daysailor 17 Nevis MN
I don't have a chart plotter but, like others, I did find the port side of the companionway to be the optimum location for my GPS, depth finder, and radio. Here's a photo of my mounting in Elsker Vann (our V-222). That's one of the things I kept when we upgraded to Miss Behavin' (our 26d). I mounted the transducer in a bed of RTV which works quite well and made it easy to transfer to Miss Behavin'.

It's mounted with spring loaded cabinet hinges so it will also fold out of the way for inside use or when bumped.
 

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FlyboyTR

FlyboyTR

.
Dec 17, 2015
46
Macgregor 26 Classic, Swing Keel (26-S) Dog River, AL
FlyboyTR said:
Doug, Glad you enjoyed it. While it is not Mac related, it is the reason we ended with the Mac. The Windrider is an amazing little boat! Thanks again...
Click to expand
But, Nice looking arrangement!
 
Bfranchini

Bfranchini

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Nov 8, 2014
151
MacGregor 26S Chateauguay
Hi Walt
I just bought a Raymarine E series plotter and I would like to install it the same way you did but I can't figure out which RAM mount to buy, there are quite a few similar to yours. Do you have the model number?
Thanks
Bill
 
walt

walt

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Jun 1, 2007
3,535
Macgregor 26S Hobie TI Ridgway Colorado
I just went and looked at the RAM mount.. cant find any numbers on it. I think they come with different platforms to match whatever instrument you want to bolt to it (??). I did examine it a little and its all still in perfect shape after a bunch of years getting knocked around because of its location. It holds the instrument in place with lots of options but easily gives if bumped. I cant remember why but this is the second and final place I had mounted that AL bracket.


mount1.JPG
 
Bfranchini

Bfranchini

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Nov 8, 2014
151
MacGregor 26S Chateauguay
Thanks Walt, I appreciate you taking the trouble.
I looked at RAM's site and they don't have an attachment for my plotter, however I can probably rig something up like a backplate with the hole pattern that screws into the swivel plate of the swivel. Glad to hear it's still solid.
Thanks again
Bill
 
Doug J

Doug J

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May 2, 2005
1,192
Hunter 26 Oceanside, CA
I totally agree with Walt. I installed my GPS and Fishfinder using a RAM mount in the same location as Walt's. Those mounts are very strong, very adjustable, and stay in position. They do give if you bump them, but will still hold the adjusted position. It's easy to make them accommodated just about any device.

7977.jpg


Here's more information about my installation.
http://macgregor.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=157&aid=7827&mn=26S
 
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