moveable chartplotter mount (or fear of overcomplication)

[geem]

We have plotters on the nav station and under the sprayhood. We never use the one on the nav station. They used to be master and slave. The master was on the nav station. We now have the cockpit set as master and dont have to turn the nav station plotter on to run the cockpit plotter so it never gets turned on. Any passage planning I tend to do on Navionics on the ipad as its more convenient. Do you really need a plotter down below? Imho the plotter needs to be where you can see it in the cockpit. Its no use down below when you are entering a harbour at night in the rain/wind

 

[MarcJ]

Thanks for the responses all. I'm still looking at the kit that came with it and all I would actually need is the base, the rest can screw on or off and move with the plotter (i have half a mind to hit a plumbing supply store to find something similar)
View attachment 61464
interesting to hear that potter by chart table is not a prerequisite. that could solve a lot of problems!

This do? Ram Mounts come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes!
http://www.ram-mount.co.uk/single-socket-arm-round-base-1-ball-with-threaded-stud-p-1531-c-450_430.html

 

[Sinbad1951]

John Lewis supply various tv mounts with 2 or 3 extendable arms. I bolted one to the bulkhead inside and it extends, swivels and slides outside so it can be seen at the exterior helm. A huge benefit to inshore pilotage.

 

[Binman]

I'm in a similair position having brought Standard Horizon one second hand,the extendable television arm is a good idea, the problem I can foresee for myself as well is all the leads, power lead not the problem but in aware one needs to go to my VHF/dsc, there are other leads as my friend also had it attached to other equipment and it might not be possible to extend the leads with the basic knowledge I have, but I'm sure I would get answer's on the forum, are you in a similair position. I have a Pandora 700 the cockpit is 5 to 6 foot long, I have an extension on my tiller I hope will get me close enough to read it,Swinging it through the hatch way, haveing no cover means I couldn't use it if raining.

 

[EddBee]

Ihave a Pandora 700 the cockpit is 5 to 6 foot long, I have an extension on my tiller I hope will get me close enough to read it
Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...f-overcomplication)/page3#qjEcG8XR4vxhwCgD.99

Yeah, It's a long one so if it sits just outside the hatch it's a bit of a stretch without extension or tiller clutch.
If i had more money and better tools I would certainly double up on a mounting system like ram mounts or 'Rokk' which seem to be able to clip on and off, but given teh useful advice here about whether I need nav-station access, I may keep things simple and just mount where it is easiest, by the hatch. I may look at arms in John Lewis or similar but I am cautious about the bashes they are likely to take.
AS ever, great advice all round.
Binman- any idea of Pandora owner's group? the website looks to have been abandoned, the only active group being the Abersoch racers.

 

[Binman]

EddBee your right, I have tried Abersoch a couple of times but have never had a reply.. it's a shame the owners group is no longer available, I have found my answers on this forum most of the time.The Pandora 700 is a good little boat, everybody I've met that's had one had nothing but praise for them, sails very well very printable, the tiller is light and very responsive, shame there is no head room.

 

[MarcJ]

Yes although I did put a mount down below - I never used it once!
We're moored at Abersoch (in the summer) so if you want me to call into the club house, let me know. You might find it quiet in the winter, have you tried them in the summer?

 

[Binman]

Hi MarcJ, yes I tried a couple of times, as there is a slot on the starboard side where a small table goes, I was after a photo of an original one, in the end I came up with my own solution.

 

[MarcJ]

The mount I put "down below" was on a 20 ft Vivacity bilge keeler. We have a 27ft boat now, and use a tablet as a nav aid. The cable still has to negotiate the sliding hatch lid. With the chart plotter (basic Humminbird gps/fish finder) previously on the Viv there were 2 cables, the transducer and the power cable. Now it's just the micro usb power cable.
We can always take the tablet to the chart table, not sure we'll need that at any time. I got a bigger tablet as it's really good to see it when helming, and it's on top of the companion - here: https://1drv.ms/i/s!AnTfH9NpYEvtxwgEFPIEt2s7FyIF
That's a pic of the smaller 10" tablet...

 

[PTB]

Lots of people go for a swinging bracket solution for this sort of thing, so you fold the bracket back to use the plotter when down below and then fold it out so you can see it down/in the companionway when sailing. Is some similar arrangement not suitable? (perhaps someone who has one can post some pictures)

This is what I did. Just swings round into companionway to view from cockpit.

 

[EddBee]

The Cutlass is a lovely boat. definitely on my list when I grow out of the pandora. I may bring her round to abersoch for a look at some stage.
I think for simplicity I'll go with a single mounting point- and over over complication. As ever some really good thoughts on here, so thanks all.

 

[MarcJ]

The Cutlass is a lovely boat. definitely on my list when I grow out of the pandora. I may bring her round to abersoch for a look at some stage.
I think for simplicity I'll go with a single mounting point- and over over complication. As ever some really good thoughts on here, so thanks all.

You'd be very welcome to come have a look! We've been pleased with her!