MacGregorSailors.com

I would be very interested to hear views on the best location for installing a GPS display panel.

I have a fishfinder/depth log fitted on the sloping edge of the pedestal just above and behind the wheel so the gps would have to go right on the top. This would be just fine but there seem to be two problems:-

1. It would need to be disconnected frequently to be put away for safekeeping. If it were inside this wouldnt be an issue.

2. I have a 2003 X with a hoop on the top of the pedestal for securing the mainsheet tackle. I havent had the chance to sail her yet but it seems to me that the GPS on the top of the pedestal could get in the way of the mainsheet particularly when locking or unlocking the sheet in the camcleat.

If not on the pedestal, then where? On a swivel mount somewhere near the companionway would seem to be the next best bet, but it might put my eyesight to the test! Down below gives even more options but it seems a waste not to have it in sight from the helm with real time views of Xtrack error, etc.

Any thoughts?

I purchased the instrument stand from Power Sailing Center to mount my Depth/Fish Finder (Humminbird Piranha 2) and GPS unit (Garmin Map76) It fits in the mast crutch hole on the pedestal. (link below)
I plan on using a quick connect plug on the pedestal to plug and unplug the electrics so it can be stored below, or removed during storage. The top is 10" x 10" square. I haven't sailed with it yet, but have high hopes for it being practical.

http://www.powersailing.com/macgregorma ... ments.html

I understand and sypathize with all your points.

Mine is installed on a swivel bracket on top the pedestal. That way it can be faced aft when using the captain's seat when motoring. When sailing, I nearly always sit on the windward side of the cockpit, not in the captains seat, and I can angle the GPS as far forward as I need to for best visibility. The bracket itself is permanently installed, and the GPS unit is designed to easily pop into and out of the bracket.

You didn't mention what is the model or size of your GPS. Mine is a Garmin 176C. I frequently wish the screen were larger, but as it is, it's small enough that it doesn't project above the grab bar bracket (what you described as the hoop on top of the pedestal). Even if it did, when seated on the cockpit seats, interference of the pedestal mounted GPS with the mainsheet is not an issue. BTW, before I got the grab bar bracket, it stuck up above everything and I found the mainsheet got wrapped around the bracket on several occasions, plus it was the first thing people grabbed for when they lost their balance. Never lost it completely as it tended to pop out of the bracket without damage, but I knew it was only a matter of time; that's why I got the grab bar.

I've sometimes wished I could put my depthsounder on the swivel mount as well, but there are limits as to how much is feasible to put on a swivel bracket. So instead mine is mounted where yours is, and I put an alarm on the depthsounder for when I can't see it. If shallow depth becomes an issue I either sit farther back so I can see it or check it frequently.

You can't follow a GPS course, check speed, or any other of the useful GPS functions if you can't see the GPS. I can't imagine mounting the GPS below or anywhere else I couldn't easily see it from the cockpit. Also, some (many, most?) GPSs can't be seen well in bright sunlight. On the pedestal, mine's in the shade of the bimini most of the time; it wouldn't be if it were mounted somehwhere up near the companionway.

You ought to be able to fabricate a temporary bracket that mounts it to something which plugs into the mast crutch hole to see if that works for you. You can always move it somewhere else if you don't like it without permanent "damage" to the pedestal.

The picture of the instrument stand mentioned above is on an M. The M has a cabin mounted traveler for the mainsheet, and no attachment of the mainsheet to the pedestal, so it's not asn issue. Doesn't look like it would be feasible for the X.

The expensive GPS should be removable so you can remove it when you leave the boat. It should be able to be seen from the helm seat and each side. Chip has apparently found an answer.

I don't have the grab bar or the GPS yet. I would have to go with a hand held GPS I can hold in front of my nose, or go with Chip's system.

The grab bar evidently relives the main sheet interference with the pedestal top. I understand there are two types: a short one and a long one.

I assume the 'long' one is more stable. Is it mounted to the cockpit sole? There's a liner over the back berth that would probably have to be holed to secure it. PITA.

How stable is the short model? Is this merely secured to the pedestal front?

There seems to a lot of load on that main sheet and what would a flying 210 lb. dazed/intoxicated human adult male do to this option?

My instruments are mounted on top. The Lowrance GPS/Sounder attaches to a RAM ball mounted to the top of the pedestal. On the bottom of the GPS bracket is a second RAM ball. You can get the arm that goes between the balls in various lengths, mine is around 4" long. My PPC case mounts to a custom aluminum bracket I made and attached to the Lowrance bracket. This let's both units swivel in tandem. It can be faced aft for driving at the helm seat or can easily swivel to either side for sailing. The RAM mount also gives lots of tilt options.

Perhaps you could mount your two instruments in tandem on a single mount similar to what I have done. Adding a pedestal guard, either the smaller type mounted to the pedestal face, or the larger one like I have raises the mainsheet connection point and reduces any interference with the instruments.



In the picture below you can see the pedestal guard clearer as well as the table, binocular box and cup holders attached to it. The mainsheet attaches to the welded loop at the top.

You can also see my canvas pedestal cover, although I have reconfigured the mounts for the snaps since this picture was taken. It no longer passes between the pedestal and the pedestal guard, it just snaps along the sides. I am able to rotate my instruments 90 degrees on to their sides while attached to the RAM mount. This lowers them and puts them mostly right behind the wheel. The canvas cover then snaps over the whole thing, wheel, autopilot, instruments and all. This protects them, hides them, and keeps the kids from using them as a handle when moving about the cockpit. I wouldn't store them there if the boat was left in a slip unattended, but while out on trips this serves well to keep them out of sight without having to constantly remove them.




Actually Chip, that picture of the powersailing instrument stand is of an X. You can tell by the pedestal size and the seat config up at the companionway. No traveler in that picture. But I do question how the mainsheet would be attached with that large thing at the pedestal.

Sloop, I had the smaller face mounted one first. It attaches with 4 bolts. It seemed plenty strong, I think the weakest point is the attachment of the pedestal to the cockpit floor. The larger one I have now is attached to the pedestal face and the cockpit floor. No access inside is needed, it just uses 4 large screws that go into the cockpit floor.

Duane is right. I had forgotten the M pedestal is a fairly skinny tube and looks nothing like the fiberglass X pedestal. Makes me really wonder how you're supposed to connect the mainsheet. Maybe the mount is only for motoring with the boom removed or sheeted outboard to one of the stanchions

I did bolt my large grab bar through the sole and into the aft berth area for the base. I felt it more secure with some nice big fender washers and nylok nuts behind it. It is quite solid and adds considerably to the overall stiffness of the pedestal, but I have no reason to believe some good sized screws wouldn't provide the same.

I'm guessing however it's fastened, the floor mounted grab bar is considerably sturdier than the short pedestal mount version. Plus I wanted to cockpit table as well, and that's only available with the long grab bar.

Ours is also mounted on top of the ped similar to duanes. I originally made a dashboard with all of my electronics removeable as one unit, after a season fighting it I Permenently mounted all equipment with the exception of the GPS/Chart display. It is mounted on top of the pedestal with the factory mount. Easily accessed and viewed.

Current config


Mounting Bracket with Wires stowed


This is the old Dash


You figure out why I changed it!


This was the old disconnect


Antenna




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http://es.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/alrg20 ... m=a9d8.jpg
I've got GPS & fishfinder on the pedestal. I put it whenever I sail