2005 300 da tv

Sea Ray 300

Senior Sea Ray Enthusiast
Oct 12, 2006
612
Scituate, MA
Boat Info
2005 300 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 5.0 liter with Bravo III drives.
I have a Zenith TV with a 15" screen in the cabin, and rather than use a converter box, I'd like to get a TV with a built in digital tuner.

The cabinet cut out is 15-1/2" wide, by 14" tall, and the TV depth is 2-15/16".

Having checked on-line, and measuring TV's in the stores, I haven't found the right combo.

The closest I can find is a Toshiba 15, but it is 1/2" too wide.

What have you other gents done.

I have 2 options...use an external tuner, which I'd prefer not to, or cut the opening.

Has anyone done this, and if so, can you share your techniques.

DSC00662-1.jpg


Thanks very much in advance.
 
Converter box is the cheapest least hassle way to go. With a coupon, they are less than $10. Not much wrong with that IMO.
 
Are you certain it's not digital already? Seems like a 2005 boat would be new enough to have a digital ready TV assuming it's a factory installed set.
 
No, mine wasn't digital either on an '05. Dave S's solution with the converter box in the DVD storage area behind the Zenith flat plate worked great for me.
 
C'mon gents...help me out....

Someone has a "best solution".

Haven't even considered the aft cabin flip down TV yet....:smt101
 
Steve...I really like the way your current tv sits flush with the cabinet, because it has more of a custom look. One option could be getting the tv you mentioned or even a slightly bigger one and adjust the bracket so it would sit just in front of the cabinet. If you mounted in front of the cabinet, you may be able to use a 19 or 20 inch tv. Just another idea....
 
I mounted my 22' TV in front of the cabinet with a swing arm. I use a nylon tie down to secure it from moving when under way.
 
C'mon gents...help me out....

Someone has a "best solution".

Haven't even considered the aft cabin flip down TV yet....:smt101

Remember, the dimensions given for the TV's usually include the stand, which can be removed. So a TV that says it is 15" high, is much less than 14" tall.

Without stand, these should fit. No converter box needed.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...1514_TF_TV1514_15_TFT_LCD.html#specifications

http://www.amazon.com/Sharp-LC15SH7U-15-inch-LCD-TV/dp/B000NKAYVW

You could even go "big screen" with this 16". Note the dimensions which they provide.
With Stand = 14.8" x 11.8" x 4.7"
Without Stand = 14.8" x 10.0" x 2.6"
This Viewsonic can be found as low as $169.
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/lcd-tvs/n1630w-lcd-tv.htm

Does this help ? :huh:
 
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Got any pics? What brand did you use?

Sorry I don't have any pictures with me right now. I will be at the lake this weekend and I'll try to remember to take some.

I think the TV is a 22" Toshiba with a built in DVD player. We bought it on-line from Best Buy. To be honest, a 19" would have been fine but you know how us guys are...Bigger is always better.

I purchased the swinging mount off of Amazon for about $45. I mounted the swinging arm to the inside of the cabinet after drilling two holes through the cabinet on the front side facing the bow. This way when you walk in the cabin you can't see the bolts coming through the cabinet unless you are laying on the front bed. By using the swinging arm mount, you can watch the TV while laying in bed or swing it around while at the dinette.

Here is the Amazon link for the mount:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00155SXZ8/ref=ox_ya_oh_product#moreAboutThisProduct

As far as the nylon strap goes, I mounted two screw hooks on the inside of the cabinet. When I am on my way, I attach the strap to the hooks to hold the tv in place to keep it from bouncing around.
 
Thanks KK, I'll check it out.

Actually, I'm experimenting with the converter this weekend.
 
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Just purchased a Polaroid 15.4 inch from Tiger direct, teekster showed it in a Sept 08 post, measured it today and ordered is cost 169.00 with shipping and warranty, no need for converter
Steve 04
 
I have the original tv/vcr in my 320. My vcr is on the fritz so I was thinking about getting a new digital tv with built in dvd. My tv opening is 15x15 and everything I looked at was just a little to big. I have found a coby 15 in tv with dvd that gives dimensions as 14.8 x 13.9. Does not specify if that is with or w/o stand. I know nothing about the tv as I have only been able to find it online and not at any local stores to go look at it. It is selling for $189 at www.bhpotovideo.com The manuf link is http://www.cobyusa.com/?p=prod&prod_num_id=356&pcat_id=2001#specs-tab
 
Just purchased a Polaroid 15.4 inch from Tiger direct, teekster showed it in a Sept 08 post, measured it today and ordered is cost 169.00 with shipping and warranty, no need for converter
Steve 04


Steve...have you received your TV yet? I looked at the dimensions on Tigerdirect's website. It indicated the TV width was 15.2" . What exactly is .2". I have the older 13" Toshiba tube TV. My opening is 15 1/2". Just wondering if this set will work in my opening. It sure is a great price.
 
Bottom line,
received the TV and mounted it, it fit perfectly, a little shorter than the Zenith, need to splice the AC wiring since finding the end of the line is impossible without taking the boat apart. Not happy with reception, I figure it is the glomex antenna, my friend purchased a booster for the antenna, nice reception. I am hoping the reception will improve when i go to the beach, Fire Island as it is a clear view to NY City where the signals comes from.
Steve04
 
I have been going through the same dilemma on my 280. There are a few problems finding the right TV...

1) New TV's are 16:9, and original is 4:3
2) If I find one that fits the width, then the height is so small
3) Even if I find a TV that fits, it will be 120V and not a 12v/120V like my current one is.
4) My DVD player is built into the TV, which means I now need a DVD player too (or skip it). Also, it makes my opening really tall (i.e. vertical), and the width is narrow. Just the opposite of today's TV.
5) I can go bigger, or mount some kind of swing arm, but I don't like the look. Plus securing it for rough weather is hard.

I haven't been able to find anything that works for me.
 

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