Laptops 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

 

[Koeketiene]

Velcro

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

 

[BrendanS]

See response to same question on PBO

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

 

[charles_reed]

I don't use the laptop for navigation - my experience of PCs makes me wary of using them for mission-critical applications, but I do use mine to record the log and to prevent it moving around I've attached Velcro to the underside of the laptop and to the surface of the chart-table.

Having said that it's packed away if I'm going to windward or the seastate exceeds 6 offwind.

The hourly position, SOG, log, COG, compass bearing and windspeed/direction are all recorded by the plotter, which can accomodate about 45 hours-worth in its memory.

You can buy various overpriced arms to attach the laptop to a bulkhead, a far cheaper alternative can be made using the loudspeaker wall-mounts you can purchase in a number of department stores and hi-fi shops.

Excessive slamming would probably result in fracture of the screen hinges on most laptops.
Some people, notably Mike Harris have built in their computers with TFT screen (he had a 14" but was threatening to go up to 19"), real keyboard etc. But he writes software on his boat.

If you want to contact him his e-mail was mike.harris@pangolin.co.nz.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[davidbains]

Last year I merely looped some thin line round the hinges and tied back
to the instrument mounts. If you use fishing line you'll still be able to shut
the screen down.
Mind you I'm on a multi and using an IBook which is pretty robust.
I'm more concerned about current drain on longer trips. These laptops
are thirsty beasts compared to a parrallel rule and a pencil behind the ear.

<hr width=100% size=1>Never knowingly overcanvassed!