[Rhodes22-list] Garmin GPS mount questions

[cowie]

Mike:

I have been happy with the 545s swivel mount on my boat.  See image
enclosed.  


http://old.nabble.com/file/p28399724/IMG_4612r.jpg IMG_4612r.jpg 

the gps unit is always connected with the wires that plug into the back of
the unit.  When not in use I keep the unit, with wires still attached, in a
plastic container in the drawer that extends under the cockpit next to the
ice box below.  The wires run next to the ice box and connect to power,
tiller pilot and depth sounder puck located in my lazaret.  Part of my
routine when getting ready to go out is to slip the gps unit into the swivel
arm on the port side bulkhead.  The swivel arm has a quick release knob that
makes it pretty quick and easy to install and remove with wires attached. 
The swivel can also be removed leaving a small knob as the single piece of
hardware on the bulkhead.  

http://old.nabble.com/file/p28399724/IMG_6654r.jpg IMG_6654r.jpg 



I typicaly leave the swivel in place as the gps unit is always installed
when I am on the boat.  

http://old.nabble.com/file/p28399724/IMG_0520r.jpg IMG_0520r.jpg 


A downside to this mounting arrangement is that the cable is exposed and
draps down through the cabin hatch area.  This does not bother me and I
think it is a better trade off to have fewer holes and not have the interior
bulkhead compromised with the back of the gps unit.  this also allows me to
upgrade/replace the unit in the future without worrying about the size of
the unit.




Definitely a good point Art, the hole will be a little bigger than the 441s. 
Also, the hole will likely have to go through both the outer shell and the
liner.  I see that Cowie has his Garmin mounted in about the same place as
I'm thinking, but used the surface/swivel mount.  I may do that to start and
think about doing the flush mount.  

I've seen the flush mount on other boats, not Rhodes, and it does look good,
the unit is pretty much secure since the attaching hardware can only be
reached from the back side of the hole, etc.  But it would be a major
modification to the starboard bulkhead, no question about it, and that would
likely mean the gps goes with the boat if Muireann and we ever part company. 
There are absolutely no plans for that in the near term, however.

Appreciate your thoughts!

BTW, we did sail in your wintering grounds a bit back in March.  Chartered a
Beneteau out of the Vinoy marina and played around Tampa bay for 3 days.  It
was fun, but next time I want to take Muireann instead.

Mike


Mike,

I wonder if an alternative might also work.  I shudder considering the size
hole needed to do the flush mount.  I use my laptop, the HP touch tablet I
asked about months ago, and ran a monitor cable to a LCD repeater (TV with
12v power demand), which I will attach to an exterior bulkhead with small
bolts.  You might be able to attach the Garmin with a bolt-on arrangement.

I really like the HP, the TOPO program is very impressive with the NOAA
downloads!

R,

Art

-----Original Message-----
>From: Mike Cheung <hmcheung57 at gmail.com>
>Sent: Apr 28, 2010 6:50 PM
>To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
>Subject: [Rhodes22-list]  Garmin GPS mount questions
>
>
>Muireann is getting a brand new Garmin 441s GPS/depthfinder.  One option
>we're considering is doing a flush mount in the starboard bulkhead.  Has
>anyone done that and how difficult was the installation?  Also, were you
>able to use the internal antenna or did you have to install an external
>antenna?  We're hopeful the internal antenna will work since our present
>"chartplotter" is a laptop running SeaClear II and using a cheapie USB
>"puck" GPS.  That set up works just fine sitting on the galley counter with
>the "puck" tossed up in the tray above and behind the counter where it's
>"looking" through the fiberglass cabin trunk.  
>
>Thanks!
>
>Mike
>
>
>
>-----
>Mike Cheung
>s/v Muireann 1993/2008 Rhodes 22
>-- 
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>
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