"Flush" install to non-flush surface

F

farwellbooth

Member
Sep 16, 2014
69
Seattle, WA
Boat Info
2010 Sundeck 220
Engines
Merc 350 w/ Bravo 3
I'm thinking about mounting a smaller/5# chartplotter somewhere. In the picture, I'd like to get it on the right side just above the cup holder, surface mounted. This puts the controls within easy reach and screen easy view. The surface however is slightly curved. Is there some trim I can cut to fit or what's the best way of doing this? I could also go on the left by the window support however this will block my view more. The real estate is pretty tight, appreciate any input on where to put this. With the surface mount I'll also need space behind for the cabling.

Thank you SeaRay helm.jpg
 
You could use black Starboard and fabricate it to fit. It would actually look pretty nice but it doesn't look like there is enough room there to put anything that would be too useful.
 
"5#"... Do you mean 5" (inch)? # = pound.

I agree - nowhere near enough room to mount it flush, above the cupholder.

You could use a RAM mount - looks nice, but not flush.

If you can live w/o your Speedo (since GPS will give you speed, anyways - plus, it's in your SC gauge), remove the speedo and put the GPS in it's place. Still might be a tight fit...
 
dvx216 said:
If you flush mount will you need to install an external antenna.
Click to expand...

Actually, most of the new machines work very well and don't require an external. That certainly used to be true, but with where this would be mounted, the chances are better than not that it would be fine.
 
I have a car stereo shop near the boat that actually will make pods for installs like this.The gps would fit in the pod and the pod would mount to the dash,wherever you want it they will design and build it to fit.Mabey you could find a shop like this. They have a website and are called altimate automotive.
 
What about a suction mount to the window? RAM etc?

Second thought... Depending on how involved of a setup you want (just charts, depth etc) ... you might consider an Ipad with Garmin BluechartsMobile or the Navionics app. Both also work on your iphone (looked like an iphone holder you have there already). That would get you a bigger screen and less hassle. Also easily mounted to the window with a suction mount. Several here do that.
 
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Ok guys, I've purchased the Garmin GPSMAP 547 with extra maps, Mercury Gateway cable and have built a back bone so I'm committed. It's one of the smallest screens and now that it's out of the box it's larger than I thought. I did measure and compare to the measurements. I wanted to mount to the flat portion near the windshield however it's too tall. And I'm not too excited about the Ram Mount options with the arm attaching to the windshield support bar.

I have not screwed this down nor drilled any holes etc. Do you think this will block my view too much? We are in a high traffic are on Lake WA Seattle, do wakeboard, tubing, cruising basically a little of everything. Once I put holes in the dash (unsure of marine word, helm?), that's where it's going. In the pic I have the swivel connector on, with that removed I can get it even a bit lower however then I lose lateral adjustment.

Appreciate the input, there just isn't much room for it...

Garmin helm.jpg
 
if you can live without the drink holder i think they make a GPS mount that fits in the holder....

cliff
 
Here's how I mounted the GPS on my previous 240SD...I used the RAM mount as Dennis recommended.

240_dash.jpg
 
Personally, I would have the guys from Tecnografic redo your instrument panel with a custom layout and flush mount it there (http://www.tecnografic.com/). They likely made the original that's in your boat now. You will likely need to delete one gauge, speedo would be first to go, but maybe not...they might be able to squeeze everything in.
 
Ok, I finally got this in. The NMEA data is great as are the maps. I used both the RAM windshield post clamp and a 1" ball connection at the base. It's rock solid!

Garmin 1.jpgGarmin 2.jpg
 
That came out nice. It may seem like its blocking a bit of your view now but you'll get used to it. If there is a pretty girl in a small bikini in the bow that you can't see because of it, just ask her to move to the other side to, aahh, balance the load. Yeah, that's it....balance the load.
 
NorCal Boater said:
That came out nice. It may seem like its blocking a bit of your view now but you'll get used to it. If there is a pretty girl in a small bikini in the bow that you can't see because of it, just ask her to move to the other side to, aahh, balance the load. Yeah, that's it....balance the load.
Click to expand...

or ask her to stand to get a better 'view' of the water looking for floating debris or partially submerged logs....:grin:......

cliff
 
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