I’m sure that everyone on this forum has their helm area configured “just perfect”. And undoubtedly this post describes an idea that is not unique. But just in case someone finds it of use:
My project was to improve easy reach to my air horn. The location had to be out of the way. The space further down in the protected space between the pedestal grab bar and the wheel looked good. But how to mount? Obviously, attach a holder to my Yacht Specialties pedestal tube. However, I wanted to avoid drilling and then tapping holes in the pedestal to secure the holder. I observed that the outside diameter of pedestal is exactly 4” = the same as the inside diameter of 4” PVC piping. (And probably older Merrimand and Edson pedestals also have 4" OD's as well.) See the below picture which is self explanatory.
My holders (PVC coupling sleeves) simply are glued to the 4” PVC sleeve with PVC cement. So far the glue is holding, but time will tell.
Certainly other accessories besides air horns might be mounted in the grab bar to wheel area. Another other more versatile variation using the sleeve method would be to insert screws through the 4” PVC sleeve with the threads facing outward and the screw heads recessed into the PVC on the inside so that the pedestal finish isn’t scratched when the sleeve is put around the pedestal tube. The screw threads then can attach to teak, or plastic lumber, or whatever. Then put the sleeve halves over the pedestal and secure with the hose clamps. The PVC pipe that I bought has thick sidewalls that certainly would be robust enough to anchor the recessed screws.
Finally, if in the future a new accessory doesn’t fit in the previous version’s holder, then just loosen the hose clamps around the sleeves and remove. No harm done -- other than the pedestal’s paint might have yellowed underneath.
Oh, and here's the what-started-it-all horn.
My project was to improve easy reach to my air horn. The location had to be out of the way. The space further down in the protected space between the pedestal grab bar and the wheel looked good. But how to mount? Obviously, attach a holder to my Yacht Specialties pedestal tube. However, I wanted to avoid drilling and then tapping holes in the pedestal to secure the holder. I observed that the outside diameter of pedestal is exactly 4” = the same as the inside diameter of 4” PVC piping. (And probably older Merrimand and Edson pedestals also have 4" OD's as well.) See the below picture which is self explanatory.
My holders (PVC coupling sleeves) simply are glued to the 4” PVC sleeve with PVC cement. So far the glue is holding, but time will tell.
Certainly other accessories besides air horns might be mounted in the grab bar to wheel area. Another other more versatile variation using the sleeve method would be to insert screws through the 4” PVC sleeve with the threads facing outward and the screw heads recessed into the PVC on the inside so that the pedestal finish isn’t scratched when the sleeve is put around the pedestal tube. The screw threads then can attach to teak, or plastic lumber, or whatever. Then put the sleeve halves over the pedestal and secure with the hose clamps. The PVC pipe that I bought has thick sidewalls that certainly would be robust enough to anchor the recessed screws.
Finally, if in the future a new accessory doesn’t fit in the previous version’s holder, then just loosen the hose clamps around the sleeves and remove. No harm done -- other than the pedestal’s paint might have yellowed underneath.
Oh, and here's the what-started-it-all horn.
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>>> :dance: