Laptop on passage

[rivalranger]

Hello,

Has anyone seen/invented/heard of a clever way of securing a laptop to the chart table/navagation station when using charting software on passage ?

Thanks in advance.

<hr width=100% size=1>www.rivalranger.co.uk

 

[snowleopard]

a few large lumps of blu-tak will stop it wandering about and leave no permanent marks.

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[BrendanS]

How about these?

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.memory-map.co.uk/acatalog/laptop_mounting_accesories.html>http://www.memory-map.co.uk/acatalog/laptop_mounting_accesories.html</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[steve28]

every one i have seen come into the shop has used velcro, soft on the laptop hard one the surface!

steve

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[TrueBlue]

I've got aroll of matting called "duck" manufactured by peeps called Henkel in darkest Wisnford. Wrns you not to use it on poly-urethane surfaces, but you could put a layer of felt underneath, come to that chuck the Duck and use felt.

the Duck came from either Maplin or CPC - inexpensive.
SWMBO's felt came from a craft / fabric shop.

Much cheaper than the custm made solutions.

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Stop what you're doing and wait my signal

 

[Thoshi]

Are you able to recommend any particular make of laptop for use on a yacht - mainly for the ARCS charts

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[PaulS]

If you look in kitchen and bath accessory stores you can probably find non-skid material which is made for cupboards and under rugs and such. It's a very open weave rubberised material which can be cut to size and shape. I've used it under all sorts of things to prevent slipping. Does no harm to wood surfaces. Dust will adhere to it and reduce it's holding ability but then you just have to rinse it and it's good as new. Ask your significant other...she probably knows what it is and where to get it.

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[jimi]

Bungee cord, loop round hinge bit between screen and body. My laptop survived a couple of knockdowns like that when even the fridge contents were scattered throughout the boat.

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[Gazza]

I wanted to get my laptop clear of the chart table surface, partly to keep it clear for paper charts, but also to ensure that my newly acquired electronic charts can be visible from the cockpit.

I first of all put the laptop (an IBM Thinkpad) on a wooden base with two thin webbing straps to secure it; I fixed aa small plastic vice, turned upside down, to the wooden base and it all fitted over the top edge of the bulkhead behind the chart table (boat is a Vancouver 32 if that makes the description any clearer). This proved secure for a 9000 mile Transatlantic circuit.

I looked at purpose made brackets, but they all seemed very expensive, so my latest version uses one of a pair of brackets for mounting stereo speakers on a wall; they can be adjusted in various ways, and can take a resonable weight. Have made this up at home at this stage and have yet to fit it to the boat, but it appears to be able to do the trick. I got the brackets from B & Q, although most of the DIY stores seem to do them, at a cost of about £25.

Of course, I've only used one of the pair - if you would like to buy the other one then let me know.

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[DaveNTL]

http://www.islandpacketphotos.com/view_ad.asp?Ad_ID=421&CatLevel=3&Cat1_ID=13&Cat2_ID=277&Cat3_ID=&Cat4_ID=&FromSearch=True&SearchPage=/default.asp?CatLevel=3&Cat1_ID=13&Cat2_ID=277

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[AndrewB]

Yes, same here. I use knicker elastic so the lid can be shut, plus blu-tak to hold the unit in position.

Thought about velcro, but really don't want to mess up my chart table. I'm a bit surprised by Steve28's suggestion of putting the hook part on the table, doesn't it catch on everything?

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[ParaHandy]

Re: clever ... ?

nothing too clever about this way ... two muckle straps (1" braid) araldited to the laptop base and another two attached to the instrument panel. each pair joined with 25mm plastic snap buckles ... oh .. and all the braid joints stitched ... (wi' matching knitted cover)

bit OTT? you'll get like this after a few have gone walkabout ...

easily detach it too ...

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[cmckesson]

I use string. Seriously.

Drilled four holes in the desk. Run a bit of twine over the laptop keyboard (at just the right "latitude" to miss the keys and touchpad) and down through the holes. Make all fast on the underside with a rolling hitch so I can tighten it up.

Works a treat. Served for several years including Pacific passage from Canada down to Mexico. Doesn't interfere with open and close, and no marks on the unit (which belongs to my employer.)

Chris

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[Koeketiene]

Money being no object: Panasonic Toughbook

Mate of mine in the SBS uses one on a regular basis - even works when he uses it in the shower. Why he would need a laptop when taking a shower, I don't know.

<hr width=100% size=1>Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.

 

[Ships_Cat]

I use two pieces of thin soft synthetic webbing strap about 10-12 mm wide. Each one attached to a saddle under each side of the chart table hinged lid using a plastic buckle so they can be removed if wanted. They are joined on top over the laptop by an adjustable plastic snap buckle (type where one piece has a slot and jammer so the strap can be tightened) .

Strap is thin and soft enough so it fits through the crack between the hinged part of the table top and the fixed part when closed, and passes over the laptop with edge against the screen hinges which stops it sliding aft. Is located so that the computer hits the partition at forward end of the chart table if it did slide forward much, so is trapped. Laptop sits on one of those "sticky" rubbery non slide mats to stop any slight sideways movement under the strap when heeling.

When computer is removed the chart table top is completely clear with no bits stuck to it. If strap is removed the only things left are the two saddles under the lid.

John

<hr width=100% size=1>I am the cat but I am only 6.

 

[Gunfleet]

Because it can be done, silly. That's why they do everything.

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[tritonofnor]

I use the sort of support designed for a small tv to be wall mounted. Has a central joint which allows the laptop to be swung out of the way when not needed. secured with a couple of bungee cords - one at the hinge and one at the base under the touchpad. No trouble at all! TV support was seven quid in our local Trago Mills, bungee was in store cupboard...

<hr width=100% size=1>Marina skips - the greatest free resource centre!

 

[dulcibella]

Try a couple of good big nails through the middle. Then you will be able to navigate without having to watch a screen, write letters instead of sending e-mails. In short, you'll acquire great peace of mind!

 

[bigjimi]

What a stupid reply. You seem to have written 2000 posts. Do you know that much?

 

[bigjimi]

Knockdowns! You must have been out in some extraordinary conditions. Care to tell us about them? Have you done any of the wilder passages? round the horn, that sort of thing? I'm more of a coastal type myself, but am always eager to learn and expand my horizons and am keen to hear what the very experienced sailors on here have to say.