I would like to mount my GPS on a swing arm mounted just inside the companionway. Anyone seen any good ones? I'm not looking to build one. Just interested in a nice one available commercially.
Rob
check bass pro shops or cabela's
I see them in the marine consignment shops (four of them within a 20 mile radius) all the time. Want me to check for you? I'll take a picture and get a price if you want.
Bruce
S/V Allure
I've bought a variety of mounts for phones and tablet computers in my car, usually no-name brands from ebay and amazon.
I just got a RAM mount for my delorme Inreach
http://smile.amazon.com/DeLorme-Motor-Sports-Mount-inReach/dp/B00G62KVGO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1419379871&sr=8-3&keywords=ram+mount+delorme+inreach (http://smile.amazon.com/DeLorme-Motor-Sports-Mount-inReach/dp/B00G62KVGO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1419379871&sr=8-3&keywords=ram+mount+delorme+inreach)
I thought the RAM mounts were pretty expensive, but
I must say it's head and shoulders above any other type I've had, as far as quality and sturdiness.
They make a bunch of different adapters and holders for various products, different length arms and mounting bases, a lot of which are available on Amazon.
Now that I have seen how well constructed this is, I am probably going to get some more parts to mount various other things.
http://www.rammount.com/ (http://www.rammount.com/)
Rick
I went to our loca.l WM, and they had nothing as usual. The only one I have seen online is made by RAM. Any others?
Rob
I would encourage you to try to mount your GPS as you describe. Mine is done that way and its the best arrangement I have ever had for instruments .
The West Marine On line catalog shows a Ram 109 V (west part 319154 with vertical base and pivot plate )which appears similar to the swing arm mount that I use for the instruments mount on my SunCat . Mine came from West Marine about 8-10 years ago - can not recall manufacturer - may be old model of RAM. It was used successfully on a previous larger boat (Freedom 21). The Ram 109 has a 6 inch arm and mine is similar in length, but the RAM platform is 6 x2 while mine was 5 x 2 inches. Below are pictures of the SunCat set up, the mount details are best in the bottom picture,
(http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l594/CPYOA/com-pac%20sun%20cat%20pics/CatEase/DSCN3087crp.jpg) (http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/CPYOA/media/com-pac%20sun%20cat%20pics/CatEase/DSCN3087crp.jpg.html)
(http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l594/CPYOA/com-pac%20sun%20cat%20pics/CatEase/DSCN1538.jpg) (http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/CPYOA/media/com-pac%20sun%20cat%20pics/CatEase/DSCN1538.jpg.html)
(http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l594/CPYOA/com-pac%20sun%20cat%20pics/CatEase/IMAG2059.jpg) (http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/CPYOA/media/com-pac%20sun%20cat%20pics/CatEase/IMAG2059.jpg.html)
The teak and oak L shaped bracket (that holds my GPS/Depth sounder and compass) is bolted to the top of the 5 inch platform. (A simple depth sounder was mounted directly to the platform on the previous boat via its built in plastic mount set to a table top position, i.e. perhaps similar to how your single GPS unit could be mounted) . Since I prefer not to put holes in fiberglass I mounted the fixed bracket onto the frame inside the companionway. That way it can pivot inside for use when I am in the cabin, as shown in the bottom picture, for example when at anchor sleeping.
A couple of mounting points... I needed a wedge between the base mount and the companionway inside frame to make the arm swing level for inside use. I also was constrained by the 6 inch arm to put the instruments about 4 inches into the companionway. This turned out to be a good thing in that crews legs sometimes could block the view of the instruments if mounted further to starboard. It also makes it easier to reach the inside pivot arm to release/retract the unit inside when going below. I have also set it up with a horizontal wooden bar beneath my L shaped rig to align the angular position when at rest against the bottom of the companionway frame to be consistently the same each time it is moved in order to better align the compass.
A warning however: Tyler Hutchins from ComPac discourages this type of mounting because he says it is too easy- instinctive - for someone to grab the unit for support during a sudden lurch of the boat - putting a couple hundred pounds of pressure on it and they have seen them rip out of the boat making quite a mess. My strategy was to mount it in the well secured wood frame (not the fiberglass) and have the arm rest on the bottom of the companionway for extra strength and eliminating torque, and not have it protrude very far into the cockpit. I also tell an uninitiated crew not to lean on it or grab it. Also when going below I always move it inside and tighten it against the cabin wall as in picture #3 so as not to accidently hit it in the somewhat snug companion way. That said, I still would have it no other way... If, on the other hand, you are into a lot of heavy weather sailing, Tylers warning may be important for your situation.
You are right, the West marine store here also did not carry the RAM part(s) in stock(before I got my old one back I was going to buy one new) but told me I could order it and have it delivered and if it did not work out they would take it back with full refund - provided I did not damage it.. There are a lot of dimensions involved to make a good fit so you might give it a tentative try using masking tape, double sided carpet tape or just eyeballing it. etc.
Swing mounts are fine when the weather is good, but when you need to button-up with hatch boards in place you will want the GPS and radio in the cockpit.
Don,
That mount is the one I have seen on other boats in the past. I can't find it anywhere. Must be an old model. I have seen the RAM 109V on line, and I guess that is what I will go with. Thanks for the great pics, advise and description!
Rob
Mine is a RAM mount. I did build the baseplate for the instrument myself. It works fine, keeps the GPS out of the weather when the boat is not in use or in the evening on overnight cruises, has enough room that you can get by it to get in our out of the cabin and can be articulated in every direction for best vision.
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af200/brackish_photos/Arionmaidenvoyage001.jpg)
This photo was taken the day before the RAM Ice Bucket mount got installed on the port side.
That's the one I'll prob get.
Rob
I went through this process to mount my Lawrence GPS on a swing out arm on my Horizon Cat. I bought (and still own) a RAM mount system but decided it would take up too much room in the cabin and also block easy access to the cabin while underway. I ended up buying and using a RAM suction mount with two "suckers" which worked well for me. It allowed me to mount it anywhere in the cockpit that was convenient.
The suction cup is a good idea, but I am still planning on the companionway mount. I may also put a separate mount on the tube holding up the boom gallows. Anyone know the diameter of that tube?
Rob
Some more food for thought: The earlier post about rough weather sailing is a good one and can be addressed by having an alternate mount on board. I have fashioned a drop board mount (actually built before making swing arm mount. It was based another posting on this site about 2 years ago) that enables access to cabin, but this version provides for weather proofing the cabin. It uses the 3 bolt holes seen above compass in my earlier post on the swing arm. It replaces the lower drop board with2 boards: a 1/2 by 4 inch oak and Cetol board with the instruments mounted to it (requires a 1/2 spacer between it and instrument board) Then a roughly 8 inch x 1/2 board can be slid above it to complete a bottom hatch board equivalent. I actually created another top hatch board to make an integrated system The 3 hole mounting uses wing nuts for easy removal of the instrument "panel" and holes in the base then allow mount it to the swing arm unit .
(http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l594/CPYOA/com-pac%20sun%20cat%20pics/CatEase/IMAG1676.jpg) (http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/CPYOA/media/com-pac%20sun%20cat%20pics/CatEase/IMAG1676.jpg.html)
(http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l594/CPYOA/com-pac%20sun%20cat%20pics/CatEase/IMAG1699.jpg) (http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/CPYOA/media/com-pac%20sun%20cat%20pics/CatEase/IMAG1699.jpg.html)
From a storage point of view the 2nd and third hatch boards can be used (and stored in-situ) in the cabin for other purposes.
(http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l594/CPYOA/com-pac%20sun%20cat%20pics/CatEase/IMAG1696.jpg) (http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/CPYOA/media/com-pac%20sun%20cat%20pics/CatEase/IMAG1696.jpg.html)
I gave up on this mount as the basic installation because I found myself sometimes kicking the unit when going to or from the cabin...Not as agile as when younger... With the swing arm mount I deliberately swing the unit inside, out of harms way, when going and coming. However it can still be used when heavy weather suggests its priority. As a heavy weather back up system to the swing arm, simple painted boards for a bottom hatch board can be made and the regular ComPac upper hatch board will work nicely.
I used the same ram mount as Brackish. Another way of dealing with weather is plexiglass/lexan/etc drop boards.
Shawn
I just had a thought....
What if you made doors for the drop in hatch board. You then mount the unit to the back of the door.
Yes, it wouldn't work in foul weather, unless you have a bimini, dodger, and connector like I have on my boat. Still, the idea of the swinging door may be a cool one if it was done right.
Used a Majestic TV Swing Arm and replaced their mounting plate with a sheet of aluminum bent out at the bottom to forma a shelf for the VHF charging cradle and cut a hole to mount the GPS on the left. Stores against bulkhead when not in use and swings into the companionway when underway.
http://s866.photobucket.com/user/cdflan/media/120_zps941f2da6.jpg.html](http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab227/cdflan/120_zps941f2da6.jpg)
Here's the unit stowed.
(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab227/cdflan/125_zpsb0813aaa.jpg) (http://s866.photobucket.com/user/cdflan/media/125_zpsb0813aaa.jpg.html)
Here is the swing arm I got. These are RAM mounts. I think I will attach a nice piece of wood to the inside of the companionway, and then screw the mount onto that.
I'll get some other mounts also, so if I want to attach my iPhone I could do that. The torqeedo outboard I am getting has Bluetooth and an app that gives you lots of info,
so I may want to attach the iPhone on there sometimes.
Rob
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t476/rbh1515/IMG_0905_zpsdg4ayrg9.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/rbh1515/media/IMG_0905_zpsdg4ayrg9.jpg.html)
Finally got my GPS swing arm installed:
Rob
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t476/rbh1515/Mobile%20Uploads/6CCE7CD5-11AF-49E8-9E7D-610EC1C776F4_zpsuejwn6g2.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/rbh1515/media/Mobile%20Uploads/6CCE7CD5-11AF-49E8-9E7D-610EC1C776F4_zpsuejwn6g2.jpg.html)
Couple more pics with the GPS attached. I also have an attachment for my iPad mini with Bad Elf. With the GPS attached, I still have plenty of room to go below without swinging it in. I can also use the GPS mount for my iPhone.
Rob
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t476/rbh1515/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/AF0DA5E1-A05D-438D-9AEF-1834D95FF072_zpsr6qh9tuo.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/rbh1515/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/AF0DA5E1-A05D-438D-9AEF-1834D95FF072_zpsr6qh9tuo.jpg.html)
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t476/rbh1515/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/EC1DE43D-ACE1-4665-970C-8634C1FA8980_zps1twfoaph.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/rbh1515/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/EC1DE43D-ACE1-4665-970C-8634C1FA8980_zps1twfoaph.jpg.html)
rbh1515, What did you do to secure the wooden mounting plate to the fiberglass bulkhead? I see no through bolts. I assume you used epoxy. How did you clamp it while it cured? Does it look like it will hold up?
neil
I bought an aluminum flat screen bracket from amazon(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WWK16O?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00)
and drilled holes in the mounting plate to match the mounting pattern on my plotter/sounder.It swings into the companionway for use and folds back inside to stow.
One more option...:)
Quote from: nreamer on September 03, 2015, 09:08:21 PM
rbh1515, What did you do to secure the wooden mounting plate to the fiberglass bulkhead? I see no through bolts. I assume you used epoxy. How did you clamp it while it cured? Does it look like it will hold up?
neil
Neil,
I used a Loctite product that is polyurethane based (no screws):
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t476/rbh1515/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/5DB8590A-CA0C-4340-89B4-C0F753F45C7A_zpssokfkbgu.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/rbh1515/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-09/5DB8590A-CA0C-4340-89B4-C0F753F45C7A_zpssokfkbgu.jpg.html)
To keep the wood attached, I used blue painters tape till the glue cured. Then I screwed the swing arm on to the wood. The wood seems pretty secure (fingers crossed). The local hardware store recommended it, and it is waterproof!
Rob
rbh1515,
Nice clean installation - well done.
And yes, there are several products out there in hardware stores that appear to be useful adhesives. Waterproof is definitely a plus!
Let us know if you use it for other applications which might be more of a test of its holding power STRENGTH.
capt_nemo
P.S. It would not be too difficult to design and fabricate DOORS for the companionway like I did for my Sun Cat (now owned by neil). My design did not require drilling a single hole in the boat and is removable. Has both Plexiglas and screen inserts.
(http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l594/CPYOA/Com-Pac%20Sun%20Cat%20Mods/Sun%20Cat%20Saloon%20Doors/IMG_0489.jpg) (http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/CPYOA/media/Com-Pac%20Sun%20Cat%20Mods/Sun%20Cat%20Saloon%20Doors/IMG_0489.jpg.html)
Rob,
Thanks! Do let us know if the board does any naughty things, like fall off! I have a feeling it will probably be just fine. Just went out and looked at the product sheet on that adhesive. It does look perfect for this application. I recently used a different Loctite adhesive for a totally different application and am really, really impressed. (concrete to concrete on a small retaining wall).
neil
Capt. memo,
Those are beautiful doors! My boat came with white poly doors, so it would be easy to make some wood ones.
Rob
Quote from: brackish on December 24, 2014, 05:27:49 PM
Mine is a RAM mount. I did build the baseplate for the instrument myself. It works fine, keeps the GPS out of the weather when the boat is not in use or in the evening on overnight cruises, has enough room that you can get by it to get in our out of the cabin and can be articulated in every direction for best vision.
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af200/brackish_photos/Arionmaidenvoyage001.jpg)
Hello Brackish, am in the middle of planning a bunch of possible winter projects. gunna clearly think about funding but would like a Char-tplotter to augment my very rusty 25 yr old piloting skills. Only ever used paper charts, heck Loran was cutting edge back then!
Like the idea of being able to view inside cabin and also from companionway. Have two piece Lexan drop boards so could use it with one or both in place if needed. Well thats my plan anyway! Do you have pics of the inside attachment and what it looks like folded so in cabin? Also any hope of a model number? It looks quite sturdy and very accommodating in it's articulation. Btw, you ever get the ice bucket mount?! :)
Quote from: rbh1515 on September 02, 2015, 06:46:31 PM
Finally got my GPS swing arm installed:
Rob
(http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t476/rbh1515/Mobile%20Uploads/6CCE7CD5-11AF-49E8-9E7D-610EC1C776F4_zpsuejwn6g2.jpg) (http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/rbh1515/media/Mobile%20Uploads/6CCE7CD5-11AF-49E8-9E7D-610EC1C776F4_zpsuejwn6g2.jpg.html)
Hello Rob, Clearly fishing for mounts that seem to match my hopes for installation. what is the make and model of the mount you are using? Along with the one Brackish shows they are the two most likely to match our needs.
thanx much,
No Mas
No, I never got the ice bucket mount but not a bad idea.:) A picture of the mount inside the cabin. In my case the GPS chartplotter I got was meant to mount on a flat horizontal surface, so I cut a piece of 1/4" aluminum to the exact profile of the GPS base with a hole to attach it to the RAM mount. Ram-109V-BU vertical surface base, Ram-109-1APU bent 6 inch swing extension arm with 3" bolt. They also sent me some extra stuff that i needed to mount my baseplate and didn't charge me for it. Bought it from Express Mounts, USA, total delivered cost 48.36. You might check Ebay, I backed out of the bid on a couple that went for close to new price but you never know what you might find.
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af200/brackish_photos/ImprovementsArion019.jpg)
Thanks for the reply. This looks like a flexible and sturdy mount. Certainly should hold an ice bucket!
one is on the way. Will have to see if an ice bucket mount is in order!
For those who are thinking about a chart plotter and a mount this arm worked well so that the plotter is out of the way when swung in, and visible to the helm when swung out. The installation was on No Mas our CP23d. Thanks much for all the ideas here!
https://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-109VU