Hatch garage too small for new chartplotter

[Boo2]

Hi,

I've just bought a new Raymarine e7 chartplotter for use at the helm (Sunrunner is a tiller steered boat with a very long tiller) and I'm trying to think where is the best place to mount it. I'd ideally mount it in the hatch garage with the other instruments but it is too tall to fit (there is room widthwise if I move the other instruments to suit) - see picture below.

The e7 does come with a trunnion mount which I could fit to the top of the hatch garage but that seems somehow clunky. I could fit it on the starboard side above the rope pockets to match the compass on the port side but then I'd forever bee moving ropes from in front of it.

Ideally, I'd be able to remove the existing hatch garage and replace it with one that has space for 3 instruments + one a bit taller, but I've never seen such a thing. I know you can get binnacles but I don't really see them as being better than just the trunnion mount.

Has anyone solved a similar problem and find a good solution ? I'm not going to keep it at the chart table below btw.

Thanks,

Boo2

 

[prv]

Hmm, a tricky one.

On Kindred Spirit, there are a couple of large cleats of indeterminate purpose on the bulkhead, just above the halyard bags. I made a portable mount for the plotter which clipped onto the cleats, putting the plotter in a similar position to the compass as you suggest. When I set it up (I only used it for cross-Channel AIS and tricky night pilotage) I did have to make sure lines didn't hang over the face of it but it wasn't that big a deal.

On Ariam, my long-term plan is to build a couple of "pods", triangular in cross-section, fixed to the coachroof outboard of the lines to the clutches on either side. But I have considerably more room there than you do.

I have seen kit mounted above the ropes on extended trunnion mounts, which can look ok if a little industrial, but again it seems you'd be pushed for space under that sprayhood.

I reckon on the bulkhead is the least-worst option, and at least it will be nicely within reach while steering.

Pete

EDIT read your post more fully and see you're suggesting altering the shape of the hatch garage. I think that's a build-it-yourself job rather than an off-the-shelf, but it's definitely a possibility. I think a raised section slightly larger than the plotter, added in the centre of the row, could look quite good. More effort than bulkhead mounting, but a good GRP project to get stuck into. Never done one like that myself, but I reckon the full male plug, female mould, layup process would be needed to get a nice result.

 

[Elessar]

Hi,

I've just bought a new Raymarine e7 chartplotter for use at the helm (Sunrunner is a tiller steered boat with a very long tiller) and I'm trying to think where is the best place to mount it. I'd ideally mount it in the hatch garage with the other instruments but it is too tall to fit (there is room widthwise if I move the other instruments to suit) - see picture below.

The e7 does come with a trunnion mount which I could fit to the top of the hatch garage but that seems somehow clunky. I could fit it on the starboard side above the rope pockets to match the compass on the port side but then I'd forever bee moving ropes from in front of it.

Ideally, I'd be able to remove the existing hatch garage and replace it with one that has space for 3 instruments + one a bit taller, but I've never seen such a thing. I know you can get binnacles but I don't really see them as being better than just the trunnion mount.

Has anyone solved a similar problem and find a good solution ? I'm not going to keep it at the chart table below btw.

Thanks,

Boo2

Yep do as i did and make the moulding taller.

Glue high density foam on with a glue gun, file it to the desired shape. (pics of this bit missing as phone went in drink )
Laminate over the top of this.
Hack out foam.
Add filler and fair.
Gelcoat.


before I started, with some old instrument holes filled

a plotter sized bit of plastic to design things

filler for fairing

gelcoated

planning positions for drilling

refit starting - plotter hasn't arrived yet.

 

[Seajet]

Or you could fit the plotter on a swing-out panel; that way it's viewable in the cockpit when swung out, or from inside the cabin when cowering with the hatch shut.

My panel is hinged onto a vertical teak handrail at one side; at the other side there are terry clips which engage on the other side handrail.

To get access to or from below the panel is just pushed / pulled away from the terry clips; had this arrangement for quite a few years now and it works well.

As a whole new instrument panel is thus created, one can also fit things like radar display, bino & knife holder, etc.

 

[Elessar]

Or you could fit the plotter on a swing-out panel; that way it's viewable in the cockpit when swung out, or from inside the cabin when cowering with the hatch shut.

My panel is hinged onto a vertical teak handrail at one side; at the other side there are terry clips which engage on the other side handrail.

To get access to or from below the panel is just pushed / pulled away from the terry clips; had this arrangement for quite a few years now and it works well.

As a whole new instrument panel is thus created, one can also fit things like radar display, bino & knife holder, etc.

with his E7 he can see and control it inside on his iPad via wifi, radar and all. Lovely bit of kit the E7.

 

[Seajet]

with his E7 he can see and control it inside on his iPad via wifi, radar and all. Lovely bit of kit the E7.

Spiffing, but my way gives space for other stuff too !

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

terrific job Elessar.... looks fab!