Dilemmas, Dilemmas

[Mike2043]

Well I got the new gps and went outside to look at the mounting options. I was all set to mount it on the dash with the bracket mount then I got looking around and holding it in different spots . I really like the way it looks flush mounted right under the gages. My second choice would have to be the bracket on the dash. The 3rd spot next to the shifter is real nice to but looks like it would better accommodate a flush mounted fish finder down the road. My main concern is theft. The marina I am at this coming season has cameras and is a great location but that’s this season. I do not know what the future holds. I have the canvass top with the side curtains so water from rain should not be that much of a concern. How often do thefts occur at active marinas? I know anything is possible. What do you think?

 

[B-Faithful]

move you engine guages and have more room for flushmounts... See what megabyte did.

 

[Bryan 2530]

I second moving the gauges.

 

[TheOtherLine]

Agreed. Move the gauges. Now you have a professional looking install. However, if you are at all concerned about theft, bracket mount it and take it off the boat after every trip.

 

[mstelmac]

Mike,
How about something like this? Need something to cover the screw holes that the old FF will leave. Maybe a hand held radio mount? Also, I thought you went with an internal antenna for your GPS. If thats the case will you still be able to acquire a link with a flush mount? Asking because I thought ya had to have horizon to horizon line of sight. Hmmmmm. Maybe dale can help with that.

 

[ppem45]

I opted to put my electronics on a Ram and the reason I did this is because there was no way I would ever fit a Garmin 4208c in my dash. It is a great unit as it has a GPS, FF and Color Radar but it was not designed to be installed on a small dash board. I like the Ram also because I can move it so others can view it and in a critical situation that could be vey important. I do carry a portable GPS and I have a second FF on my second station so if there is a problem I somewhat covered. One other reason I would think twice about installing it in my dash is that I like to keep up with technology and if it had to be replaced I would either be cutting or glueing things back together. I guess it is a matter of preferance and everyone is different.

Good luck with your install!

 

[Mike2043]

mstelmac---- I went with the external...

It will look pretty good either flush or on the dash. I am thinking about keeping the dash space free. I am keeping the fishfinder that's there now. That woun't be replaced untill next year sometime. I have to chill out with the spending for a bit. Wife has been real good about the whole boat and everything I else I have been buying. I'll just keep tossing this around in my head for a bit and then decide.

Thanks for all the replies so far,keep them coming.

 

[DougP]

I second the Ram mount, ordered mine from Jim at BOE Marine today. LCX-27 arrived today. With this set up I can change GPS/FF units and not worry about always drilling or cutting holes in the dash everytime. Wished I had done this on the last boat, oh well. I can take it off if I leave the boat somewhere besides the house and not have to worry about it being stolen.

As for the theft's at marinas ours virtually stopped after the marina hired the Sheriff's Office to patrol the property at night several nights of the week, you guess which night of the week . Before that it was sporadic theft by water. They would just cruise up into the marina and shop til they dropped.

Hope this helps.

 

[Mike2043]

I will look into the ram mounts. I had given them much thought when I first saw them.

 

[Porkchunker]

I used RAM mounts on the little woodie (see signature) because I didn't want to be drilling too many holes in that beautiful mahogany deck.

They work very well.

Dave

aka

 

[Mike2043]

I looked on the Ram mount web site and they don't make one for t he unit I got. I considered moving the gages but the gps unit is not big enough to cover the two holes. I think I am going to flush mount it right under the gages. I was playing with it again today and I like it there. The steering wheel does not block it at all like it looks like it does in the pic.. Keep the ideas coming, I will not get this done for at least another week.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[R & R]

Mike 2034
Get on line and google "Johnny Ray swivel mounts". They are similar to mounts I have on my boat. They are pretty much universal and I
added a long slim rectangle of teak to enable me to mount a FF and GPS on one pedestal. In this system you use the bracket that comes with the electronic item. You can swivel the whole unit. Also it allows me to remove my electronics for the winter and I have an extra base unit so I can set my GPS at home and add wreck numbers over the offseason.

 

[butch41]

I mounted mine just to the left of my dash on the roof. I have a Garmin 4208 and mounted it uusing the supplied bracket. mounting it on the roof it didnt block any view thru windshields.