In/Out Chartplotter
- Thread starter vseager
- Start date
xeitosaphil
Well-Known Member
When I used mine, I used to only have bottom hatch board in place, with GPS and echo Sounder swung out on top of it. The companionway hatchboards were covered with a flip down canvas sheet to waterproof the hatch boards and protect the varnish work when moored up anyway, but rolled out of the way when in passage, but also rolled down to acted as a tempory waterpoof cover for the companionway in really bad rainfal. If you needed to use either electronics it just flip it up, then flip it down afterwards. to be honest in bad rainfall the sprayhood kept most of the rain off the companionway anyway.
We are talking about a 22 foot boat here, not a 42 foot center cockpit jobbie- we used to have to rough it a bit then!!
Now with a bigger boat my Plotter is now mounted in cockpit under the sprayhood when on passage, and inside at chart table when passage planning and moored up.
Still have the same arrangement with a roll up canvas cover for the companionway hatch which still works well.
vseager
Member
Some great ideas here, I'm looking forward to trying some systems out this weekend. Hopefully PTB will post some picks today too 
PTB
Well-Known Member
Some great ideas here, I'm looking forward to trying some systems out this weekend. Hopefully PTB will post some picks today too
Some great solutions on this thread. Heres a pic of my set up. The unit simply hinges through 180 deg and clicks in the cupboard catch. I'm sure you'll find your own solution to suit your set up .... show us when youve sorted it ! P
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vseager
Member
That's a really neat bracket you've made there... did you just use ply wood?
Zagato
Well-Known Member
My efforts from ScillyPete's idea to help when it rains! I have shaped mine so it goes below the step so no need to step over it! The second piece slots in if it's raining so you can put the top wasboard on also. A slot has been cut for the GPS wires so no need to disconnect. GPS & VHF just unclip and mount in the cabin!
I'll put some clips or better weathertight strips to hold the middle smaller section in place! The wood is from an old kitchen door, all free
I'll put some clips or better weathertight strips to hold the middle smaller section in place! The wood is from an old kitchen door, all free
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vseager
Member
I've finally finish and fitted my bracket. I've taken some advice from you guys. I've yet to wire it in, but you can see my efforts in the pictures.. I'm quite please with the result
Seatrout
Well-Known Member
A chartplotter is a live update dynamic device which is of only use to be viewed/controlled from the steering position.
If the steering position is outdoors, then get a flush mounting kit and fit it the bulkhead. Anywhere else is as useful as tits on a fish.
If the steering position is outdoors, then get a flush mounting kit and fit it the bulkhead. Anywhere else is as useful as tits on a fish.
AntarcticPilot
Well-Known Member
And you will find that many disagree with you; it is also a planning tool used best with other informations such as pilot books and charts. I for one - and I have more knowledge of mapping and charting than most - would NOT rely on GPS and a chart plotter for navigation in close quarters. In open water, you should sail to the wind and the current, not to a line on the chart. The OP has found a way of getting the best of both worlds; more power to his elbow.
oldbilbo
...
I for two....
However, many more need the comforting reassurance of the bright colours and winking lights to tell them all is well with their little bubble of space-time. Switch off those little lights, and watch the panic in the eyes....
So, are we really headed towards a BenJanBav AWB 'glass cockpit' as soon as Raymarine can get one to a boat show?
Oh, and Bonna to the OP and others for their ingenuity. I have a similar design task to address sometime....
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Seatrout
Well-Known Member
I view a chart-plotter as secondary to paper charts on which I do all my passage planning and navigation (marking hourly pos updates etc). The CP is a useful reference tool in which pre-set waypoints are set, its also damn useful for entering a previously unknown harbour at 2 am with no moon! Hence my remark that it must be seen from the steering locale. I accept that it is a useful planning tool and the OP has the best of both worlds but planning can also be achieved outdoors. My own yacht design doesn't cater for any of the suggested hinged remedies so a bulkhead fit is appropriate. It was a choice between chart table or cockpit, and after due consideration, cockpit won the day.
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
I can't see how building any of those is less trouble than mounting/demounting the plotter for each trip, but each to his own.
We have a SH CP300i. The standard mounting is fixed (to the cabin top next to the companionway). When we set off I put the plotter in the bracket, screw the locking screw in, and plug in the single cable which comes up thru a vent. Must take all of 30 seconds. At the end of the trip unplug, drop the cable down the vent, unscrew the lock-screw, put the cover on the plotter and put it away or in the bag to go home.
By the way, I find the ability to adjust the tilt of the plotter sideways and up/down, which the standard bracket gives, and having the plotter at close to face height, both real advanages that wouldn't be had some other arrangments.
We have a SH CP300i. The standard mounting is fixed (to the cabin top next to the companionway). When we set off I put the plotter in the bracket, screw the locking screw in, and plug in the single cable which comes up thru a vent. Must take all of 30 seconds. At the end of the trip unplug, drop the cable down the vent, unscrew the lock-screw, put the cover on the plotter and put it away or in the bag to go home.
By the way, I find the ability to adjust the tilt of the plotter sideways and up/down, which the standard bracket gives, and having the plotter at close to face height, both real advanages that wouldn't be had some other arrangments.
Iliade
Well-Known Member
I have a similar arrangement an am now moving it higher on the snag list: On friday I sailed for a few hours into a biggish sea and must have taken inboard a good gallon of water through the open companionway... It is simply not a seaworthy arrangement.
Zagato
Well-Known Member
Or when it rains hence this simple set up.
10 minute job with a jigsaw. Use your lower washboard as a template, and cut any shape you like. I cut mine so it's lower than the step so your not standing on it! Doesn't snag on anything and just unclip the GPS from the bracket into the duplicate bracket over the chart table - job done.
syvictoria
Well-Known Member
Mounting my CP300 is on my to-do list, and there are certainly some great ideas in this thread. I assume that those with a CP300 on a swinging bracket don't experience any problems with the proximity of the plotter to the compass?
Also, has anyone mounted their SH external antenna inside? I know it's all in the name (!), but I would like to minimise what's fitted on the pushpit (it's only small!), and this would make the cabling simpler too. I will obviously test before proceeding, but just wondered what success others had, or hadn't, had. Apologises for the slight thread drift! TIA!
Also, has anyone mounted their SH external antenna inside? I know it's all in the name (!), but I would like to minimise what's fitted on the pushpit (it's only small!), and this would make the cabling simpler too. I will obviously test before proceeding, but just wondered what success others had, or hadn't, had. Apologises for the slight thread drift! TIA!
prv
Well-Known Member
Not a Standard Horizon one, but I have a BR355 GPS puck mounted under the side deck (actually just stuffed inside the insulation behind the chart table) and it works fine.
Incidentally, "external" means the antenna is not part of the plotter, it's not about where you mount it.
Also note that although for some reason it's become traditional to mount GPS aerials on pushpits, they don't have to go there. On the coachroof (preferably somewhere you're unlikely to stand while stowing the sail) works just as well and is less likely to catch mooring lines etc.
Pete
doug748
Well-Known Member
I have tried a number of ways of mounting a chart plotter but tend to prefer above the companionway:
View attachment 30994
It is my homage to the Spirit 76:
View attachment 30993
The stick aerial is for the built in AIS. This is handy because there is then only the power lead to connect.
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Why does the obvious so often pass me by?!