Best place for a chart plotter?

[snooks]

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At least the chart plotter is waterproof!

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Bahahahahahahaha /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif


Oh, Snooks, yer a funny guy, had to wipe away the tears there!

Thats what they said about my 1ds mk2... " oh its weatherproof!" hahahahahah and £3500 later....

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Well my 1dsMKII has lasted for almost 4 years of use and abuse and photographing boats on average 3 days a week, so it's about as bullet proof as it can be (with the exception of the hotshoe which corrodes at the sight of water!)...OK it's been serviced every other year, but it's still going strong /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous]

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How did you get a little 'A' by your username?

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I'm Admin /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]Ah....not antidisestablishmentarianism, then /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[oldsaltoz]

I can't believe no one has mentioned the mounting bracket that allows you to swing the plotter from table to cockpit.

Also good for added security and protection as unit is swung inside when you leve your vessel.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[mikejames]

Because my chart plotter is small and my boat is small, I have it mounted with the log and wind display in a swinging box which swings out at the top of the companionway hinged on one side.

It has hinges at the forward end of the box, and shock cord arranged between two screws which causes the box to stay either out in the companionway or back on the bulkhead. In one position it serves the cockpit, on the other the cabin which is a short distance from the chart table if I turn round.

 

[FlyingSpud]

I have the same problem. I am amazed that none of the manufacturers seem to have given any though at all to the issue of positioning a chartplotter/radar on a tiller boat, it must be a huge market

I have thought about having a bracket, like an office lamp, but rather than fixed in the companion way, fixed to the push-pit, or somewhere else on the back of the boat, on one side. It could 'fold' or extend and the plotter could be positioned to face the helmsman almost over the tiller.

I suspect the problem is that the joints may fold up if the boat heels, and there is also the question of security, so the plotter would have to detach. As to being in the elements, it would not seem much worse here than on a binnacle

 

[pvb]

Definitely in the cockpit. A protected position under the sprayhood would probably be best for you. Be wary of the effect of viewing angle - which can be critical with some screen types. Fitting it vertically instead of a bulkhead compass could therefore lead to difficulties in viewing the screen properly. I ended up fitting mine on a swivel bracket under the sprayhood; I can see it from the helm, but also see it easily when I'm sitting under the sprayhood and steering by autopilot. And I just unplug it and stow it below when I leave the boat. As for route planning, it's so quick and easy that I don't find it a hardship doing it under the sprayhood.

 

[snooks]

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Definitely in the cockpit. A protected position under the sprayhood would probably be best for you.

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Thanks for the suggestion, but I have halyards and winches in that position (and don't have a a Najad or HR /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )

I was surprised by the viewing angle of the Garmin Plotter, with it fitted flat at the chart table I could still see and read the screen from up in the cockpit, good enough for pilotage at least, but I doubt it will be good enough for radar.

UPDATE: -
Having had another look at the positions yesterday, It doesn't look like I'll be able to replace the bulkhead compass as it's fitted too high, so if I remove it, I'll have to cut away part of the coachroof top, not an option really.

So it's either on a bracket above the companionway (where I might hit my head on it) and I have to run all the cables up to it.....or in back of the coachroof/forward part of the cockpit close to the compass, and get it reswung once the plotter is installed and running.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions

G

 

[Richard10002]

Graham,

Is there an owners association? If so, somebody may have done this before, in which case you may not have to reinvent the wheel?

Richard

 

[Aeolus_IV]

I have a Garmin Chartplotter mounted at the chart table, but facing towards the companionway on a tiller steered 32 footer. It's possible to sit in the cockpit and see the 'plotter reasonably well. Main benefits of being down there is that you don't need to put it away at the end of the day as you would if bracket mounted, it is safely out of harms way 'cause its expensive, the not insignificant wire loom that attaches to the back doesn't get disturbed.

I thought long and hard about the various options including mounting in the bulkhead (sticks way too far into the inside of the boat), wash board options (makes getting through the companionway difficult, even dangerous). binnacle mounting (would make the boat look daft with a binnacle like the space shuttle cockpit). Could not think of another reasonable option for me.

Eventually put it inside. I have not yet needed to navigate the boat by steering the black boat icon on screen on a second by second basis, so the 5 seconds or so it takes to pop my head down the companionway to assure myself that I am where I think I am is not an issue. In fog (to be fair) there are two of us and one is at the chart/radar with the other in the cockpit keeping an "ear out" for traffic. But the boat was on autopilot, so could have been nearly as easy to do by sitting in the companionway and bobbing my head up and down.

Finally, I suppose in part its about why you are sailing. If you like you gadgets and want to play with them then putting them "up top" will suit you best. If sailing is about getting away from things then perhaps "down below" is more appropriate leaving the cockpit with only essential tools in view.

For me, I like to try and keep the boat as visually clean as possible and that plays a significant part in my decision process, but that is just a personal objective.

Regards,
Jeff.

 

[Refueler]

My Plotter sits on top of engine box to one side, and being fixed with one centre screw through mount can be swivelled to view wherever I need.
But I have a small boat and I can see display fine from tiller through companionway.

As to having at Chart / inside cabin- if you have a full display DSC VHF radio - that gives Lat Long - so no need for GPS repeater or plotter ... take the position of that. Plotter can then be in it's best position - pilotage use in cockpit viewing.

 

[Refueler]

I doubt very much that you will find much compass error caused by the plotter if at all. People said I couldn't mount my VHF and Entertainment radio behind bulkhead where compass is - made such small difference that it was not a problem.