Association Forum

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

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.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

GPS

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Jonathan Cuff
Navigator

Member Avatar

Cayman Island
173 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/25/2003 : 18:00:46

Does anyone have any suggestions regarding the best place to put a GPS antenna? I've just bought a Garmin GPSMAP 162. I guess the cabin roof is out of the question due to the pop top, and am thinking about maybe the aft rail. However, if I mount there how do I prevent the wires being too obvious?

Many thanks

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2003 : 20:30:45

Jonathan,

I don't consider myself qualified to address the GPS-specific part of your question. (I use an old hand-held GPS hanging from a lanyard beside the companionway.) However, I do have a suggestion on how to hide wiring for things. When I installed an upgraded sternlight on my rail, I drilled a hole into the rail stanchion where the light mounted (with a fitted block of teak). I also drilled an oversized hole in the deck under the rail stanchion (with the rail removed), and glued in a short piece of tubing that sticks up a few inches above the deck inside the rail stanchion. This tubing is to discourage water from seeping into or below the deck. Obviously I then routed the wire or a fish line through all the holes before reinstalling the stern rail. The result is a clean looking installation if I do say so myself.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle> The best part of course is that the wire is out of harms way.

I've seen a similar method used to install bow lights on pulpits.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2003 : 22:56:47

I haven't done it yet, but my intention is to rig a quickly detachable 'mast' that will attach to a pushpit stanchion... and extend about 6' or so above the rail.

This will provide a place to mount a VHF antenna and perhaps a small radome some day.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

Edited by - on

NuNees
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
125 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2003 : 08:01:40

Johnathon,
I received a GPSmap162 for Christmas. I, too was concerned about where to mount the external antenna. Then decided to trade it for the internal antenna model. that way I can use it in the car ... long story short ... it works well, even under the Bimini. I have it mounted on a piece off pine stock I cut to slip into the handle on the cabin top. I modified the input cable by adding a cigarette lighter power plug to the power wires. This makes it portable. I am going to mount a compass on the other end of the board, and a handheld VHS in the center.
I sail an inland lake in southwester Illinois, and have not had a problem with reception. The lake image that comes with the GPS is bad! I bought a copy of Garmin's 'Waterways and Lights' which has improved the image of the lake. Once I downloaded an update (curious combination of terms!) I am able to transfer maps, waypoints, routes between my PC and the 162. I wish i had bought 'Fishing Hot Spots' instead as that product is said to show depth contours.
BTW, Garmin customer service was very helpful and quite prompt in tending my consternation with the original lack of communication between the mapsource and the 162.
Good Luck, Fair Winds.

Bill jaworowski,
Moonbeams.
C25 SK/SR #4953
Sailing Lake Carlyle, IL.

Edited by - on

RoofRoof
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2003 : 10:48:52

I have a Garmin 176C GPS/chartplotter. I mounted the antenna on the aft rail, ran the wire down along the vertical of the rail, and into the thruhull that my motor battery cable and fuel hose go thru. I used 2 plastic wire ties to hold the antenna wire to the aft pulpit, and you really can't see it. Let me tell you that I'm all about appearances, and no jury rigging.

Also, what antenna are you using? I had a small antenna that I purchased online for about $15 and it had a very thin (4mm) wire. It was supposedly amplified and waterproof. Somehow I ended up pinching the wire in 2 different places. So, I replaced it with a Garmin marine model. Nice and heavy duty, with a thick (RG59 type)coaxial cable.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2003 : 12:00:46

NuNees, could you show us a picture of your install? I like the idea and need to do something similar.

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

Edited by - on

jsummerfield
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
96 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2003 : 23:43:01

When installing the GPS, also consider the interface wiring if you might connect it to a automatic tiller pilot some day.

John
C25 3973 FK/SR
"Texas Tango"

Edited by - on

NuNees
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
125 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2003 : 00:57:32

Jim,
I'll get some photos thhis weekend. My new scanner is still a challenge, though ... (I'm getting to this 'digital' party kinda late.)

Bill jaworowski,
Moonbeams.
C25 SK/SR #4953
Sailing Lake Carlyle, IL.

Edited by - on

RoofRoof
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2003 : 10:54:25

The Blue Charts that are available for the Garmin Chartplotters are great. With my 176C I can see the color contours of depths, as well as the number of feet. The color display is a great help.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2003 : 20:24:41

I also have a Garmin 176C and love it. Great for finding an anchorage in the dark.
I know this is a stupid question, but why do you add an external antenna?

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

Members Avatar

844 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2003 : 20:35:26

Jonathan,

When I installed my West Marine Vector loran (kinda dates me, huh?), I used a cable clamp plastic fitting to run the coax cable through th fiberglass, on the aft end of the cockpit coaming, on the slope. The antenna wiring was then twisted around the vertical portion of the pushpit railing, with the antenna mounted a little bit aft of directly above the vertical part, which kept the wire tight. A few cable ties weren't even needed. That was in 1989, and the wiring and loran are still working fine for the new owner. Of course, Leon's idea is much more elegant, and more labor intensive (as well as professional looking).

Stu (#2459, 1981)

Edited by - on

NuNees
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
125 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2003 : 13:02:59

Jonathan,
I'm sorry ! I screwed up the film I had used to take the pictures ... call it 'Brain Fade'. Since I don't think I can resurrect then with photo touch up, I'll try to describe the attachmnet better than my previous post:
(I have it mounted on a piece off pine stock I cut to slip into the handle on the cabin top. I modified the input cable by adding a cigarette lighter power plug to the power wires. This makes it portable. I am going to mount a compass on the other end of the board, and a handheld VHS in the center.)
The board is 3/4" thick about 2' long and 8" wide. I cut 2" off of the bottom ends, leaving a 'tang' in the center. The 'tang is just wide enough to slip into the teak handle on the sliding top. The edges of the tang need to be beveled in order to fit the inside curve of the handle. Then I cut a notch in the 'tang' to span the hasp lock ring. Rounding the edged, staining and plenty of varnish would make it worthy of the boat.
To the port side of this I mounted bracket using the screws provided. Th starboard side, now includes a Ritchie B51G bracket mount compass. It's easiy to read from the helmsman position, (unless there is a crewman blocking the view). I chose this compas because it seemed to be the largest that would not require a new hole in the bulkhead. The dial is blue which seems to help.
I have to design something else for the VHF. the belt clip on my 'Atlantis' slips and slides on the varnish ... I fear it won't float lomg enough to retrieve. But seems to fit nicely between the GPS and the compass.
As I said, (I modified the input cable by adding a cigarette lighter power plug to the power wires.) that are included with the GPS. The remaining wires are still available for the other options to which the unit will feed data.
It will be 2-3 weeks before I can try another picture session. I will post it when it turns out. Meanwhile, I hope this has been helpful.
Good Luck, Fair Winds.

Bill jaworowski,
Moonbeams.
C25 SK/SR #4953
Sailing Lake Carlyle, IL.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2003 : 14:45:44

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Jonathan,
I'm sorry ! I screwed up the film I had used to take the pictures ... call it 'Brain Fade'. Since I don't think I can resurrect then with photo touch up, I'll try to describe the attachmnet better than my previous post:
Bill jaworowski,
Moonbeams.
C25 SK/SR #4953
Sailing Lake Carlyle, IL.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

A Digital Camera will change you life.

<img src="http://members.cox.net/fhopper/Catalina25/sigbow.jpg" border=0>Frank and Martha in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney

Edited by - on

NuNees
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
125 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2003 : 18:13:38

Frank,
I know what you mean ... I accuse my wife of being a 'Ludite' ... when, really, it's me. Maybe after the first of the year ... One wasn't forthcoming for my birthday Friday ... maybe christmas?

Bill jaworowski,
Moonbeams.
C25 SK/SR #4953
Sailing Lake Carlyle, IL.

Edited by - on

NuNees
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
125 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2003 : 09:11:14

Jonathan and all,
OPS !!!
Placing the VHF radio as close to the compass causes 3deg. to 5 deg. 'Deviation'. I discovered that late yesterday.
I'm going to relocate the radio and leave the GPS and compass with art least 12" of seperation ... hopefully that will be enough sapace.
sSorry for the misque.

Bill jaworowski,
Moonbeams.
C25 SK/SR #4953
Sailing Lake Carlyle, IL.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

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.