Plotter in cockpit - ideas to reduce theft risk?

[nimbusgb]

Just made one for the cockpit, to fort above companion way

That would drive me nuts in no time!

Instruments are not 'levelled'

 

[Laysula]

Were lucky enough to have a relatively old plotter and instruments, Never lose any sleep over it.

 

[ashtead]

Never had any worries about having the plotter mounted outside in a single wheel binnacle which is the simplest place but does limit the size of the plotter to some extent. With double wheels the disadvantage is the plotters are much lower in height ( but of course they now tend to be pairable with a remote Ipad or suchlike and you can view while others helm ) unless there is a dashboard in front of wheel but that tends to be on larger vessels I suspect . I think if mounting in a pod at end of table accidental damage might be a greater concern e g by well oiled guests dining alfresco or when actually sailing. It does also look slightly unsightly . Ideally I suppose a removable one under the screen/sprayhood is a neater solution with a connection which is unplugable from a bracket is simplest and avoids coats of pod and the risk of accidental damage is perhaps reduced?

 

[Sneaky Pete]

Having your boat on the Clyde you are very fortunate as nobody steals things in Scotland. But just in case have you thought of a dog just don’t feed it. It amazes me the effect a hungry dog can have on a person.

 

[Gwylan]

I have wired in two mounting brackets for an SH chartplotter - one in the cockpit and one below on the chart table. Easy to remove the plotter when leaving the boat and also gives the useful option of operating the plotter below when in nasty weather and outside of coastal waters.

Would like to know how you have wired it. Have an SH 3000 installed at, but removable from, the helm. It would be nice to use it below too. Its the version with the remote GPS and AIS.

 

[mucklestone]

What about getting a decal made to make it look like the screen is cracked and leaving it in plain sight? Thieves are unlikely to target something that looks broken already! I saw some joke-shop stickers for mobiles a while ago that were very effective until you touched them.

Some of the vinyl used in exhibitions now can be reapplied over and over again, at least 10 times and comes with a very low tack adhesive, leaving no residue. If you got a few made up in a printers, they'd last you ages and be far cheaper than engineering a removable solution!

 

[kalanka]

Would like to know how you have wired it. Have an SH 3000 installed at, but removable from, the helm. It would be nice to use it below too. Its the version with the remote GPS and AIS.

I bought an additional power cable and mounting bracket for the SH300i and simply made dual connections at the bare wire end to power and AIS engine. One cable was run to a bracket mounted at the chart table, the other to a bracket on the wooden instrument panel under the spray hood - boat is tiller steered.

As mentioned above, the unit has the internal aerial, which simplifies wiring.

Another motivation for doing this was that, in my view, the plastic bracket is less than bombproof so having the option of putting the plotter below, away from breaking green water, is attractive.

Probably more seamanlike to have the plotter permanently flush mounted in the instrument panel but the bracket gives the options outlined above and also allows easy adjustment of the angle to minimise reflection.

I have used the dual arrangement for about 6 years, including two Atlantic crossings, and it has been very successful.