How to secure laptop at sea?

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jollysailor17

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I have not used a laptop pc on the boat before, but am now thinking of doing so. I wonder how best to keep it fixed down to the chart table so that it does not become a loose missile in rough seas. I have thought of velcro straps but they would block the the touch pad and some of the ports. I thought of a box but that could lead to overheating. So may I request others to tell me how they have solved this problem? Thanks.
 
Use velcro, but glue one part to the underside, the other to the table. My pilot control panel is fixed with industrial strength velcro, and has been for 18 years, on a vertical surface.
 
I agree with Fisherman but I have mine on the helm sitting on one of those pads that are used for dinner plates ??? it hasent moved in the past 7-8 years and I have been in some rough seas.

Velcro is probably the best bet on a sail boat.

Tom
 
I use a combination of a piece of non-slip rubber matting cut to fit and a length of elastic with small hooks that runs across the PC between the keyboard and screen. It's stayed put so far.

The matting is cut about 3" wider than laptop which leaves space for mouse when not in use.
 
Personally I'd probably bend up some stainless-steel brackets to pass over the top in areas that aren't the keyboard/touchpad/etc, but I accept many would consider this overkill.

Pete
 
Mine sits on the cabin table on an anti-slip pad for trays/ camping table etc. They are a quid for 2 from Poundstretcher. It hasn't fallen off yet, even in a deep broach over the Tripods (I must remember to give overfalls a wider berth next time). :rolleyes:
 
LittleShip said:
I agree with Fisherman but I have mine on the helm sitting on one of those pads that are used for dinner plates ??? it hasent moved in the past 7-8 years and I have been in some rough seas.

Velcro is probably the best bet on a sail boat.

Tom
Click to expand...

Tom.
You're not on a yacht that will have a considerable angle of heel.

Velcro is a bit untidy when you move the laptop out of the way and you want to use a paper chart.
I have mine sitting on the chart table on top of a bit of non slip rubber matting which is available in most good pound shops :). It's good up to about 30 degrees heel. I also have a small length of chord with a small shackle on one end that I clip onto the laptop and it is fixed to the bulkhead at the rear of the table. This stops it landing on the floor when on a starboard tack and on the other tack it might slide a bit but there is no where for it to slide off.
 
Morgana said:
secured inside the chart table using foam blocks, and then a remote keyboard and mouse is an option i've seen used....

For me, it'll be a RAM mount, and then remote keyboard and mouse.... not only secure, but protects laptop from wet sleeves and hands when the weather isn't perfect!
Click to expand...

Me too. I've been very pleased with RAM
 
Non Slip Tray Pad

I'm with Searush et al.

My laptop sits on the table on just one of those non-slip tray-plate pads. It doesn't budge despite having green water running down the side decks on several ocassions and nearly losing the helmsman over the side in a big broach off Hill Head. :eek:
 
Panasonic CF-M34, securely clamped into its docking station.

Docking station permanently wired-in to the boat electrics (power, nmea buses, speaker etc) and held onto the chart table with heavy-duty velcro.
 
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