Where to Mount Radar Plotter?

[Jongleur]

I have a Garmin radar chart plotter
GPSMAP 740s. Can't figure out where
to mount it. Might I mount it so it is in
the cockpit on the bulkhead next to the
companionway? Then I'd always have
to be outside to see it/work it, but it would
be accessible to the helmsperson, but
also would be out in some weather, even
though it would be under the dodger. Is
it safe to be wet or get drenched on occasion?
Or should I mount it at the nav station?
There, it couldn't be seen from the
steering position.
Should I make some sort of hinging
arrangement on the inside of the bulkhead
next to the companionway to see it from
inside or swung out to see it from outside?
Seems it would be bulky and awkward
there. Other ideas?

 

[Guts1236]

You might check out monoprice.com They have lots of swiveling brackets also a great place to buy your TV brackets I've been buying from them for years great people to deal with.

http://www.monoprice.com/category?c_id=109&cp_id=10828

 

[Jongleur]

Wow! So many swivels! How do you
choose one?
Thanks for your response. Do you have
a chartplotter/radar mounted in your boat?

 

[hvbaker]

I have a Garmin radar chart plotter GPSMAP 740s. Can't figure out where to mount it. Might I mount it so it is in the cockpit on the bulkhead next to the companionway? Then I'd always have to be outside to see it/work it, but it would be accessible to the helmsperson, but also would be out in some weather, even though it would be under the dodger. Is it safe to be wet or get drenched on occasion? Or should I mount it at the nav station? There, it couldn't be seen from the steering position. Should I make some sort of hinging arrangement on the inside of the bulkhead next to the companionway to see it from inside or swung out to see it from outside? Seems it would be bulky and awkward there. Other ideas?

Mount on the helm. I have had there for years. Never had a problem. Lots of rain in Florida.

 

[Newport Bob]

Have the same plotter at my helm, my experience is it has to be within finger reach to be useful. Zooming, panning, etc. - screen is small.

Mount below? Do you have a navigator to provide you with constant nav data?

 

[Jongleur]

I've got a tiller. So I guess on the
exterior bulkhead would be a good place,
I do have a navigator but I was thinking
about the swing away mount.
Thanks for the responses.

 

[Newport Bob]

By navigator I meant someone down below at the nav station to watch the plotter. If you can reach it while helming (tiller makes a difference ) then the swing mount is nice - allows you to plan courses while below the evening before and also gets it secured out of weather when not in use.

 

[Guts1236]

I can put my SI_TEX plotter either or what I mean is over the chart table or at the helm. When I bought the plotter I ordered 2 power cables and 2 brackets you can see one of the brackets in the pictures that I posted at the helm. Photo bucket is down right now but I can post a picture of my chart table once it comes back online.

 

[Jongleur]

Yeah, I do have someone to watch
the plotter below. That's another
benefit of having it below to plan
courses.

 

[Jongleur]

Guts:
That's a cool setup.

 

[Guts1236]

Here's a picture of the chart table and electronics I generally keep the si-tex chart plotter below in this position. When making a trip to Catalina Island or cruising offshore I put it at the helm. If I need to look at the plotter below with the autopilot engaged it's not a big problem.This plotter has a built-in GPS so I just have to attach one power cable. There is also capability of me pulling the GPS feed from it. But I have not done that.

 

[mz4wheeler]

OK. I'm quite passionate about this subject. Why on earth would you mount a chart plotter in a fixed location at the helm?

I see all these expensive chart plotters in a NavPod that is facing the rear... WHY???? Are you ALWAYS behind the helm? I bought an autopilot so I WOULDN'T HAVE to be behind the helm. Why would I mount it in such a way to hinder my access to it? Also, once it's mounted in a NavPod, can you easily remove it to stow?

I also have a 12" Chart Plotter, what a gigantic NavPod THAT would be.

On my photos, I bought a swivel mounted, RAM multi extension mount that I can position anywhere I want. I can buy just about any accessory for it. If I'm below deck (autopilot on), I swivel it towards the door (so I can see it). If I'm actually at the helm, I swivel it towards the helm so I can monitor depth, etc. If I'm sailing, I will sit on the edge with my back against the life lines.... I swivel it towards me.... During rough weather, I swivel it towards the dodger, where I hunker down... BTW, THAT is where my autopilot control is.... AT the bulkhead against the dodger, **NOT** at the helm. Same argument... Why would I mount the autopilot control head at the helm as well??

After my trip, I remove the chart plotter, stow it, collapse the mount, and it fits nicely under my helm cover.

I absolutely hate NavPods and can't understand why anyone would install one. Yes, they look cool. [Here come the flames]

This is the gist of my mount: http://www.themountdepot.com/RAM_109V_1U_p/ram-109v-1u.htm
It was like $150 or so...

 

[The Garbone]

I have a tiller boat and we have had a bit of discussion of were to put our Garmin.

Was leaning towards the swivel and companionway solution but have decided to enlarge one of the existing holes in the bulkhead. No big deal since it already has 3 vacant holes from past electronics that have long since vanished.

I have the kit and it is on my project short list. I like the way the kit seals and it does allow for the Garmin dust cover to be installed when not in use.

One of the motivations I have is that with ais and depth on the display it is probably best to have it always available to the helmsman and still be able to close up the companionway in the rain. I do my planning on a tablet.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Superb!!! I keep saying: "Don't be a slave behind the wheel."

OK. I'm quite passionate about this subject. Why on earth would you mount a chart plotter in a fixed location at the helm?

I see all these expensive chart plotters in a NavPod that is facing the rear... WHY???? Are you ALWAYS behind the helm? I bought an autopilot so I WOULDN'T HAVE to be behind the helm. Why would I mount it in such a way to hinder my access to it?

 

[jeepbluetj]

I sailed a boat before mine that had the plotter on swing arm - either inside by the nav station or swung so you could see it in the compainionway.

It worked well, and the plotter was secure below when the boat was put away.

On my boat I use OpenCPN down below at the chart table. I don't miss having one above deck.

 

[Jongleur]

So I put the radar display on the
bulkhead. Here's before and afters
(if they load)

 

[Guts1236]

View attachment 122521 So I put the radar display on the
bulkhead. Here's before and afters
(if they load)

So what's the inside look like?

 

[Jongleur]

You asked for it. Here it is.
So far...

 

[mz4wheeler]

Down below, I have an interesting setup.

On my boat I use OpenCPN down below at the chart table.

I am probably going to experiment with OpenCPN in the future. Meanwhile, below deck, I have an "Android MINI computer" plugged into the HDMI port of my 24" TV. Besides broadcast TV (obvious), and DVD player, the android computer allows all sorts of applications (photo), one of which is my mast camera (photo), and Navionics (photo).

So, basically I have a 24" chart plotter [grin]. Bigger is always better, or so they say.

 

[The Garbone]

You asked for it. Here it is.
So far...

Did you not use the Garmin flush mount kit? It has a frame and rubber gasket as well as metal bars that hold the plotter in.

Looks like you did some pretty good saw work.