In/Out Chartplotter

V

vseager

Member
Joined
24 Sep 2012
Messages
36
Location
Chichester, West Sussex
Visit site
As a result of being paranoid about the security of having a permanently cockpit mounted chart plotter, whilst being too lazy to remove / mount it every time I use it, and wanting to have a tidy solution that is always connected to the VHF for DSC etc... I've started considering some alternatives, along the route of a custom mount that is mounted inside, but can be moved to be visible through the companion way.

It's only a small boat, and a basic / lightweight chartplotter (Standard Horizon CP180i), and the idea I've come up with is to us a TV bracket, something similar to the link below, mounted internally next to the companion way, that I can swing out when I need it, or even use it inside if I need to...

http://www.screwfix.com/p/vivanco-titan-2-small-single-arm-swing/94921

I'm curious as to whether anybody else has had a similar idea and if there are any tried and tested solutions?!
 
hi there, yep, I've done this with a Lowrance 3500. I made a hinged bracket out of wood, on which I mounted the plotter on its plastic mount. The plotter is to starboard facing forward over my chart table and hinges through 180 degs so It can be seen easily in the companionway from the helm . Only snag is squezing past it to get below but you get used to that. I'll see if I can find a piccy to post for you. Phil
 
Thanks phil, it would good to see what you've done. My DIY skills are mediocre which is why I was thinking of using a bracket, but it would be good to see what you've done.

What sort of hinge did you use? I worried that a normal hinge would swing around all over the place, so I guess is would need to be something stiff enough to stay in place once in position?

Vic
 
I have the same nervousness of having valuables visible. The previous owner mounted their GPS on a 10 mm thick piece of varnished Ply through which two long 70mm ss bolts are attached. These bolts are an interference fit in a teak block which has correspondingly spaced holes to receive them affixed to the cockpit bulkhead. The bolts 'plug in' to mount the GPS (and now the Chartplotter and for this season will also support a fully gimbelled cup holder I have made when not GPS ing) .

I guess a picture is better so here is the reverse view of the mounting bracket.P2250005.jpg

A multi way electric (waterproof plug and socket) through the bulkhead and a similar one down below on the electrical distribution board means that I can relocate to do route planning at or near the chart table. When berthed the equipment is removed and hidden below decks and secure.

Patents are pending on this innovative design approach!!!!!

Uncle Albert However I seem unable to rotate the picture through the necessary 90 degrees for easier viewing ( Moderator help probably needed for this techno challenged sailor)
 
Rather than mess about with hinged devices I mounted a Standard Horizon C180i using its bracket onto a six inch high temporary washboard which I made from an old perspex boat window, loads of room to mount other useful bits n bobs on there as well. It's easily moveable and can be stepped over to get in and out of the companionway.
 
PTB's idea is simple and cheap to make (and it won't go rusty). If you hinged it with those hinges used on Wild West saloon doors anyone going through the companionway would just push it aside and it would spring back afterwards. :D
 
I think for me, PTB's solution is most suitable... I'm quite lazy and just want to be able to swing it in place, and have the wiring tidy and permanent, rather than have to move thing around when I need to use them... it looks like I might have a project this weekend then!
 
David2452 said:
Whatever you use make sure it has some method of locking it in position, many of the TV cantilever mounts have quite light friction hinges.
Click to expand...

Bit difficult to describe, but I made the kit out of some good quality 1/4 ply with a nicebrass door hinge. I used a couple of quite strong springy brass cupboard catches to hold it in cabin or companionway position, (but lots of potential for invention, I guess) Phil
 
PTB said:
Bit difficult to describe, but I made the kit out of some good quality 1/4 ply with a nicebrass door hinge. I used a couple of quite strong springy brass cupboard catches to hold it in cabin or companionway position, (but lots of potential for invention, I guess) Phil
Click to expand...

If you can dig out some pics that would be a huge help, or any links to the catches you use... I'm struggling to picture how you secured it in the companion way position!
 
Scillypete said:
Rather than mess about with hinged devices I mounted a Standard Horizon C180i using its bracket onto a six inch high temporary washboard which I made from an old perspex boat window, loads of room to mount other useful bits n bobs on there as well. It's easily moveable and can be stepped over to get in and out of the companionway.
Click to expand...


I still have to mount mine and thought the problem with having it swinging out is if it's really pouring with rain etc and you need to put your wash boards back in your stuffed.

I quite like the idea of making a lower washboard to fix it to. You could even scoop one side down to make access easier! No drilling through the bulkhead etc. Just use your lower wasboard as a template. And then cut the new bit the shape you want placing a strip on the outside to deflect water or route a lip out, the other half will match perfectly of course - got to be the simplest method and you can shape it to add your VHF etc. Place another bracket over you chart table and job done.

IMG_3041_zpsf5546f22.jpg


Thanks for that ScillyPete...
 
Last edited:
vseager said:
the idea I've come up with is to us a TV bracket, something similar to the link below, mounted internally next to the companion way, that I can swing out when I need it, or even use it inside if I need to...

http://www.screwfix.com/p/vivanco-titan-2-small-single-arm-swing/94921
Click to expand...

The main problem with things like that is that the paint is designed to look pretty in a dry room. If you throw lumps of sea at it, even little ones, it'll show its disapproval with 50 shades of rust pretty quickly.

I built an instrument pod that simply hooks on the companionway hatch and has long enough leads that I can move it below when we leave the boat. When we go home, it simply unplugs (colour coded phono plugs for log & depth sensors and the GPS antenna and a charger-type socket for the 12v supply) and comes with us.

A cable tidy keeps all the wires together with no apparent ill effects
 
My boat has a two piece washboard. I've got the plotter mount secured to the bottom half. Works facing in or facing out. To keep the cabling neater I installed a socket in the cockpit for plugging it into.
 
This was installed on my H22 and worked well, echo sounder shown - later added a Garmin GPS to a board on same bracket, same principal as others but swung into and out of cabin and fixed in companionway - or over chat table with a simple pin arrangement on hinge. Hatch boards were in two pieces, if you wanted to make it waterproof you could make the top hatch board Perspex, and mount the bracket inside and view from cockpit.
 
xeitosaphil said:
if you wanted to make it waterproof you could make the top hatch board Perspex, and mount the bracket inside and view from cockpit.
Click to expand...

You wouldn't be able to operate it behind a perspex washboard or see it clearly if it was raining on the perspex. Most of these gadgets are waterproof so I'll be putting mine on a low washboard. For those with a chart table right behind the bulkhead I can see the advantage of a swing out system but it's useless surely if it's pelting down. You could always fit a Hilda, I have one on the Drascombe, it is handy and saves messing about with washboards, just roll it down to shield the cabin from the elements!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

B
Chartplotter at the binnacle
4 5 6
Replies
104
Views
2K
DownWest
D

Share this page

Top