How do you mount your electronics in your sport boat?

Is anyone using a through hull transducer mounted in the bilge for their fishfinder? I've been looking at getting a fishfinder/gps combo and I'm not sure I want a transom mount.
 
brian0128 said:
Is anyone using a through hull transducer mounted in the bilge for their fishfinder? I've been looking at getting a fishfinder/gps combo and I'm not sure I want a transom mount.
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yes - don't be afraid to make holes - as long as you make them nice and do it right.

If your boat has a "sandwich" construction and is not a solid hull - then you need to do a lot of extra work to make it good - in which case you might want to go the transom mount route.

If you go the transom mount route - there are ways to attach them without drilling into your boat with ? SternSaver? i think they are called.
 
Stern Saver is that the ring that protects the prop against hitting the bottom or logs etc?
 
Ok, lets talk wiring.... I have pretty much decided I am going to wire up my Garmin and VHF to the ACC circuit (so it turns on with the boat). And maybe add two 12v power ports (cigarette lighters) directly wired to the battery for use at the beach when the boat is off. What has everyone else done?
 
Scott9000 said:
Ok, lets talk wiring.... I have pretty much decided I am going to wire up my Garmin and VHF to the ACC circuit (so it turns on with the boat). And maybe add two 12v power ports (cigarette lighters) directly wired to the battery for use at the beach when the boat is off. What has everyone else done?
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Wiring anything "high amp" directly to your battery is not a good idea. A cigarette lighter 12v power port can eat some amps - and since everything else is off - you do not notice it on your volt meter if you have one. Someone might "forget" what is plugged in - leaving you stranded.

I don't know what you plan to plug in? But things like 12v coolers draw huge amounts of power. If it is only for Phone power - buy a solar panel with a little (15000mA) battery that will charge your phones / tablets without using boat power. Powerfilm makes great marine solar panels - but there are now many others.
 
I finally found the fuse panel on the 190 and there are 3 open spots. I think I will just wire up the GPS to one, VHF to one, and two extra power ports to one.. That should be plenty. I do have a nice goal zero solar panel briefcase that I could bring along for charging stuff but having a small boat I know I will have space issues. I still plan to install a 2nd battery in the future.
 
I have an accessory switch. I wired up both my chartplotter and vhf to that switch. I like having them setup to turn on with the power, so just flipping up the switch turns things on (and off). Its nice to be able to power those alone because the actual ignition key accessory, turning the key counterclockwise, turns on my radio if its on, and i dont want to have all of that come on together. I will want to use my vhf and gps just alone if I want. I also have dual batteries with a nice switch and an on board dual bank charger that is very nice. Everything stays wired up, I dont have to disconnect batteries all the time.

I finished up all my work last saturday. Also got my transducer hooked up. This upcoming weekend is our first launch!!!
 
In the hole under the steering wheel but on the left hand wall up high. It's not going to be fun connecting stuff and adding fuses etc.
 
Scott9000 said:
In the hole under the steering wheel but on the left hand wall up high. It's not going to be fun connecting stuff and adding fuses etc.
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Thanks for the info, I looked all over my new 190 Sport and did not see one, obviously I did not look there.
There was no info in any of the manuals where it was either. Glad to know, figured it might be good to know what size fuses there are so can get some spares to have on hand...
 
I wired up my GPS last night. The best way to access the fuse box is to remove the 4 screws holding the gauges in the dash. There is plenty of wire to move the entire cluster out of the way and access the fuse panel. Much easier then trying to reach up from the bottom.

I did attempt the windshield support RAM mount but didn't like how the whole thing spins on the support. I ended up using the suction cup on the inside of the windshield above the speedometer. Looks pretty good - hope to test it this weekend. Wiring the VHF tonight.
 
Scott9000 said:
I wired up my GPS last night. The best way to access the fuse box is to remove the 4 screws holding the gauges in the dash. There is plenty of wire to move the entire cluster out of the way and access the fuse panel. Much easier then trying to reach up from the bottom.

I did attempt the windshield support RAM mount but didn't like how the whole thing spins on the support. I ended up using the suction cup on the inside of the windshield above the speedometer. Looks pretty good - hope to test it this weekend. Wiring the VHF tonight.
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I am not fond of how that rod spins either, curious how the suction cup works out for you, keep us posted.
 
dburne said:
I am not fond of how that rod spins either, curious how the suction cup works out for you, keep us posted.
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I had a suction cup mount when I had my 180; worked awesome. You have to buy a Bracketron or similar that is intended to be "stuck" to the windshield once (think beefier than the ones that come with your cell phone car kits).

Photobucket is being a pain, so I'll try to post pictures later to help clarify (if needed). Good luck!
 
The RAM one I use it pretty hardcore... it sticks out a bit but has great staying power.

41R%2BJWl0i7L._SY300_.jpg
 
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WazzuCMGrad said:
I had a suction cup mount when I had my 180; worked awesome. You have to buy a Bracketron or similar that is intended to be "stuck" to the windshield once (think beefier than the ones that come with your cell phone car kits).

Photobucket is being a pain, so I'll try to post pictures later to help clarify (if needed). Good luck!
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Try these:


 
Ok just ordered the RAM windshield mount, will see how it does - hopefully will have it and get to try it out next weekend.
Unfortunately for us, this weekend is looking like a washout here...
 
The suction cup mount worked really well today on our first trip on the Mississippi. Moves a little bit but I was happy with it.

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