Hey there, all you on-board computer jockeys. How do you secure an active portable computer when you are sailing? We have a portable with a charting / navigation program, and we want to have the computer up and running and the cute little boat icon moving across the chart on the screen while we are sailing. We also want to avoid having the computer become an unguided missle, which means lashing it down somewhere and somehow. Before designing something we just wanted to find out what others were doing, and what the experience had shown; what works and what doesn't. Securing the computer on the nav desktop is OK, but how is the question; we would prefer to avoid cutting holes or adhering something permanently to the nav desktop; want to leave the desktop solid and flat for good old paper charts and chartwork. We would appreciate all ideas, experiences, and comments. Thanks in advance. Carl and Juliana Dupre H340 s/v 'Syzygy'
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
3M hold downs.
Carl and Juliana: 3M makes some hold downs for TV and appliances. These just stick to the surface and then have a strap that can be secured with the clamps. They are not too expensive and are capable of hold down a large TV so a laptop computer should be a breeze. Does not leave the chart table totally unclutered but may be out of the way so charts can be used on the surface too.
Carl and Juliana: 3M makes some hold downs for TV and appliances. These just stick to the surface and then have a strap that can be secured with the clamps. They are not too expensive and are capable of hold down a large TV so a laptop computer should be a breeze. Does not leave the chart table totally unclutered but may be out of the way so charts can be used on the surface too.
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TOMMY MCNAMARA
Computer on a 450 in N.Y.
I live on,board and have a laptop Sony. The ends on all my tops have about an 1 1/4 lip around them and has stopped anything from falling,but a large computer will tip,as will anything. I did get prepared to take my computer topside but found I couldnt see it in the daylight[have a full bimini]. So I got a cordless mouser and keyboard and a flat monitor to secure to my steering station,cause I too have "THE CAPN" that I have tied into my eletronics, so I can see that little bugger go.It also is interfaced into my auto pilot. I have Raytheon chartplotter but nothing compares to the eltronics like the "CAPN" MCBUBBA720@AOL.COM TOM
I live on,board and have a laptop Sony. The ends on all my tops have about an 1 1/4 lip around them and has stopped anything from falling,but a large computer will tip,as will anything. I did get prepared to take my computer topside but found I couldnt see it in the daylight[have a full bimini]. So I got a cordless mouser and keyboard and a flat monitor to secure to my steering station,cause I too have "THE CAPN" that I have tied into my eletronics, so I can see that little bugger go.It also is interfaced into my auto pilot. I have Raytheon chartplotter but nothing compares to the eltronics like the "CAPN" MCBUBBA720@AOL.COM TOM
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TOMMY MCNAMARA
ME AGAIN
I also have my 2 tvs on wall brackets, but have to strap one when underway, and use a lot of velcro. Whatever else flies it flies and we pick it up or it gets transferred from the outfit.
I also have my 2 tvs on wall brackets, but have to strap one when underway, and use a lot of velcro. Whatever else flies it flies and we pick it up or it gets transferred from the outfit.
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Bryce Grefe
laptop
I built a teak shelf suspended on bungees (shock absorption) above the nav table. Use the 3M holddowns referenced in an earlier post, also use the Capn. Its been in for two seasons and hasn't moved a bit. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
I built a teak shelf suspended on bungees (shock absorption) above the nav table. Use the 3M holddowns referenced in an earlier post, also use the Capn. Its been in for two seasons and hasn't moved a bit. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
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Patrick Ewing
I saw a great nav table setup for this
There were two independently hinged plexi sheets attached to the side of the top of the nav table. The laptop attaches to the thicker and more rigid top one and the charts go under the second one. To use the table for charts, the lid of the laptop is closed and a latch holds it up and out of the way. The second sheet is thinner and just serves to hold the chart in place and protect it. There was also a parallel rule for plotting attached to it. I think the one I saw was hinged on the side of the table nearest to the hull. While we are on the computer subject, Canon makes a very compact and slim scanner for making copies or scanning documents, etc. It is powered by the USB connection and does not need any other connection. They are about $100 for the cheaper one and $200 for the deluxe model. If you wanted to get really tricky, you could double hinge the top with the scanner on one side of the hinge and the laptop on the other.
There were two independently hinged plexi sheets attached to the side of the top of the nav table. The laptop attaches to the thicker and more rigid top one and the charts go under the second one. To use the table for charts, the lid of the laptop is closed and a latch holds it up and out of the way. The second sheet is thinner and just serves to hold the chart in place and protect it. There was also a parallel rule for plotting attached to it. I think the one I saw was hinged on the side of the table nearest to the hull. While we are on the computer subject, Canon makes a very compact and slim scanner for making copies or scanning documents, etc. It is powered by the USB connection and does not need any other connection. They are about $100 for the cheaper one and $200 for the deluxe model. If you wanted to get really tricky, you could double hinge the top with the scanner on one side of the hinge and the laptop on the other.
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Don Alexander
String!!
Hi, I pondered this for two years until, last summer I solved it with the simplest of things. I put a small screw eye into upstand one side of the navigation table towards the back and a screw hook on the other, both being beyond where the lid raises. Then I took a piece of thin fishing line - I guess about 20 lbs breaking strain and tied one end to the eye. Now I put the laptop on the nav table, pull the line across the hinge where it neatly inserts itself into the small gap in the hinge and then the free end of the line hooks onto the open screw hook. By this means the laptop can move slightly inboard on one tack and slightly outboard on the other. Mine has never moved more than an inch. I can still open the nav table lid and can move the computer around to see the chart underneath. It all began as a temporary fix whilst underway one rough day when the computer looked like it was going to bounce off the table. Now it has become a permanancy - until someone comes up with something better.
Hi, I pondered this for two years until, last summer I solved it with the simplest of things. I put a small screw eye into upstand one side of the navigation table towards the back and a screw hook on the other, both being beyond where the lid raises. Then I took a piece of thin fishing line - I guess about 20 lbs breaking strain and tied one end to the eye. Now I put the laptop on the nav table, pull the line across the hinge where it neatly inserts itself into the small gap in the hinge and then the free end of the line hooks onto the open screw hook. By this means the laptop can move slightly inboard on one tack and slightly outboard on the other. Mine has never moved more than an inch. I can still open the nav table lid and can move the computer around to see the chart underneath. It all began as a temporary fix whilst underway one rough day when the computer looked like it was going to bounce off the table. Now it has become a permanancy - until someone comes up with something better.
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Don Alexander
String!!
Hi, I pondered this for two years until, last summer I solved it with the simplest of things. I put a small screw eye into upstand one side of the navigation table towards the back and a screw hook on the other, both being beyond where the lid raises. Then I took a piece of thin fishing line - I guess about 20 lbs breaking strain and tied one end to the eye. Now I put the laptop on the nav table, pull the line across the hinge where it neatly inserts itself into the small gap in the hinge and then the free end of the line hooks onto the open screw hook. By this means the laptop can move slightly inboard on one tack and slightly outboard on the other. Mine has never moved more than an inch. I can still open the nav table lid and can move the computer around to see the chart underneath. It all began as a temporary fix whilst underway one rough day when the computer looked like it was going to bounce off the table. Now it has become a permanancy - until someone comes up with something better.
Hi, I pondered this for two years until, last summer I solved it with the simplest of things. I put a small screw eye into upstand one side of the navigation table towards the back and a screw hook on the other, both being beyond where the lid raises. Then I took a piece of thin fishing line - I guess about 20 lbs breaking strain and tied one end to the eye. Now I put the laptop on the nav table, pull the line across the hinge where it neatly inserts itself into the small gap in the hinge and then the free end of the line hooks onto the open screw hook. By this means the laptop can move slightly inboard on one tack and slightly outboard on the other. Mine has never moved more than an inch. I can still open the nav table lid and can move the computer around to see the chart underneath. It all began as a temporary fix whilst underway one rough day when the computer looked like it was going to bounce off the table. Now it has become a permanancy - until someone comes up with something better.
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Craig Cody
Swing away holder.
A friend has his laptop on a "swing away" holder he bought. It is designed specifically for laptops and for use on boats. I think I recall seeing them in West Marine catalog.
A friend has his laptop on a "swing away" holder he bought. It is designed specifically for laptops and for use on boats. I think I recall seeing them in West Marine catalog.
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Ron
Rubber Matting
I have my portable computer on top of the nav station table (Cat 30). It has fiddles that keep it from coming off. I use a piece of non slip mat (kitchen supplies at dept store). It does not slide, and even in rough weather I have not had any problems. No holes, no mess, no fuss.
I have my portable computer on top of the nav station table (Cat 30). It has fiddles that keep it from coming off. I use a piece of non slip mat (kitchen supplies at dept store). It does not slide, and even in rough weather I have not had any problems. No holes, no mess, no fuss.
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bill walton
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