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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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swing arm gps mount

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/16/2009 : 14:01:35

I'm looking for a swing arm gps mount for my companionway. Any reasonable $deals out there? What do you use and why? So far it looks like the [url="http://www.gpscity.ca/search/q=ram-109vu"]RAM-109VU[/url] is the best for the price but does it extend far enough? I may spend a little more for the [url="http://www.gpscity.ca/ram-mount-vertical-dual-bent-swing-arm-with-post-plate.html"]RAM Mount Vertical Dual Bent Swing Arm with Post Plate[/url] Thanks!

Dave Robbins
PO to*Bamboo*
'89 SR/WK #5877
Daytona Bch., FL

http://bambooc25.weebly.com/

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3468 Posts

Response Posted - 09/16/2009 : 15:06:30

Here's a Ram Swing Arm on my '89.

The depthfinder had approximately a 4-4 1/8" hole in the companionway bulkhead. I decided to cover the hole with 1/2" polymer board matl from West Marine (Starboard matl). I cut the circle using a scroll saw sizing it about 1" larger in diameter so that there was a lip/flange overlapping the hole. I then used a round bevel router bit attached to my radial arm saw drill chuck to put a rounded outer edge to the circle. I used 3M Marine sealant (#4200) for a waterproof seal of the flange surfaces. 6 machine screws, drilled to pass thru the existing hole circumference, held the outer circle to the polymer board on the inside of the companionway which was also used to mount the RAM Swing Arm mount for the Humminbird Matrix 17 Fishfinder. (I used plastic teak color caps to hide the screw heads on the outside circle.)

Edited by - OLarryR on 09/16/2009 15:07:43

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 09/17/2009 : 08:43:16

Thanks for the explanation & pics Larry. Looks like the single arm does a great job, I think I'll order one today!

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3468 Posts

Response Posted - 09/17/2009 : 20:16:31

Dave,

You may have to improvise a bit depending on how your GPS's mounting bracket is configured. It probably will hook up directly to the RAM mount. The worst case scenario is that you may have to use a piece of starboard as a mounting plate adapter to connect to the RAM Swing Arm bracket and then to the GPS mount.

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2009 : 13:47:38

Hi Larry,
I saw that in your pics, or at least I thought you had something in between the GPS mount and the arm plate but looking again it's thin and red and looks as though the screws go straight through the mount and the plate, so must not be starboard. How did you exit your wiring? Down through other mounting holes in the arm plate?

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3468 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2009 : 16:20:15

I believe I have only one screw holding the fishfinder. Can't remember - I'll have t take a look. I stuck some rubber matl inbetween the mounts to lean the fishfinder a bit forward and to also providesort of a cushion in case someone bunked into it. The screw is held by a self-locking nut and the nut is not on that tight so there is some play. I could tighten it up but kind of like the way it is right now, so i left it alone.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.