where to place instruments

tgalea

tgalea

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Hi,

I am in the process of replacing my very old speed and depth instruments on the boat i recently bought.

Now these old instruments where installed at the chart table inside. The new ones i would like to install somewhere in the cockpit area but can't seem to find any place for them.

What's your opinion ? Is it any good to spend a couple of hundreds on new instruments and install them inside ?


Regards
Tyrone
 
My personal view is they should be under cover as much as is possible else will sooner or later lead to tears if want a long life from them - if long life not wanted from them or if serious racing then quite different.

We put wind (we are very cruisy boat), log, GPS and depth at chart table and electronic compass and autopilot at helm (must be close to helm for obvious reasons) together with a multi display that allows us to page through wind, depth, log outputs - so only 3 of 7 instruments outside. Autopilot allows us to page through a number of GPS outputs. All on a bus. That works well for our own situation, but is personal.

An alternative place is within a pilothouse or similar (even if only a smallish hardtop) if have one.

John
 
Hello Tyrone,

I've had instruments inside and outside on various boats.
Always find the most important time I want to see them is when helming so inside for sounder and Speed is a waste.
My present arrangement is above the companionway in a purpose made housing.
It's the best for me as it's central and everyone in the cockpit can see the instruments.
I've previously had them mounted on a forward cockpit bulkhead to one side or other but there always seems to be a crew member sitting against the instrument.

Another point about instruments below is that I only do short sea crossings (no more than 24hrs or so) so never quite get my sea legs and consequently I don't like to spend too long at the chart table peering at instruments.

Sitting in the companionway and reading/setting up instruments is the best for me. I intend to fit a GPS above the companionway this winter for this reason.

They are quite well protected from the wet, but I have found that sunlight does more damage to instruments in the long run, so a good cover when not in use is essential, this is really important for the magnetic compass .

Finally I don't have any instruments inside at the moment, although I may fit a multi-repeater inside when funds allow.

A neat alternative might be to mount the instruments on a hinged bracket at the companionway, so that they can be seen when required and swung away inside when not. We used to mount the old Seafarer echo-sounder in this way and it really worked very well.....those were the days......


Cheers
Homa
 
I have sailed on boats where the instruments are inside by the chart table and found it very inconvenient.
Perhaps it's OK if you always sail with a "captain" to navigate, and subordinate helmsperson, sort of control freakery perhaps.
I like to have the information available where I am going to use it, at the helm.
I have gps and depth sounder on cockpit bulkhead with repeaters at chart table to allow for chart plotting.
Would you tolerate a car with the instruments in the boot because they are safer there?
The wireless TackTick instruments look ideal for cockpit use although I've not used them. Any pitfalls with them?
Dan
 
Couldn't agree more. My gps and echo sounder displays are mounted on the inside of the cockpit bulkhead but on hinged boards so they can be swung round into the companionway when wanted. In these tidal waters I find it easier to steer by the GPS than the compass.
 
Above the companion way in a new box. Stops alterations to the boat that you might regret later.

Also where the crew can see them as the instruments are more use to them. It stops the "what speed is it now?" or "what is the depth?" problem every time you go down to concentrate on navigation.
 
Decide what information you need, or want to see, and plan around your requirements. I have a plotter screen, autohelm and repeater at the wheel, wind, depth and log on a hatch pod. and the main plotter/radar & repeater at chart table. All part of a hub system. This is functional and provides the information that I need to make safe passage, either single handed or with crew.
Having a chart table full of instruments if you need them to navigate challenging waters on a constant basis, or race frequently.... is useless. Follow a common sense approach 'V' space available on your vessel 'V' your indiviual requirements/budget and you'll get it right every time.
 
Minimalist approach

We have speed and depth repeaters in the cockpit, with a multifunction repeater for these and a GPS at that chart table. There is a telltale compass down below so the navigator does not have to ask what the heading is (assuming there is someone steering and someone else navigating) I don't use a chart plotter, but have used ARCS charts on a laptop.

Sailing in shoal waters one really needs a depth readout at the helm. The speed gadget is not really necessary, though.
 
Is there a company who sells a range of pods suitable for mounting instruments above companionway as I have same problem with my boat a Sadler 26. Dont fancy drilling holes in bulkhead to fit old instruments.
Mike
 
Above the hatch garage is popular, but for some reason, everytime I am ditch crawling or tacking in a fairway and need to watch the depth, someone stands in the hatchway and obscures it.
 
Re: mounting instruments on hatchway

Last year i moved all mine to a position over the hatch. If you know a little bit about GRP its quite easy. I used UPVC soffet board to make a mould following the curve of the deck. This plastic can be easly screwed cut etc. strenght is not an issue. all the corners were filled with poly filler . When cured it popped out a treat cost about £20.

The worst bit was reconnection about 30 wires
 
Re: mounting instruments on hatchway

I made a box for my instruments out of ply with "Mahogany" trim. It looks good and it clips on to my companionway hatch. I lifts off so I can move it below when not sailing and unpugs easily so I can take it home when I leave the boat.
 
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