Removing compass and using hole in dash to mount Garmin...looking for ideas.
 

I have bought a Garmin 741 and am in the process of finding a place to mount it on my Formula 292. I hate the idea of drilling screw holes in the dash, and just had the idea of taking the compass out and using the large hole as the basis for mounting the Garmin.
Of course, an adapter of some kind would have to be made, but it seams like a decent idea that could make sense. The transition from the round hole to a flat mounting plate for the Garmin bracket would not be too difficult to make. And if it was done right, it should be pretty solid

Anyone done this, or have advice?

Thanks

You could saw cut the compass boss out, and make a panel to cover it, then flush mount the Garmin (this is a 741 in the pic)

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I did this on my PP, I took some measurements and a drawing of a mounting "box/bracket" to a local plastics fabricator along with the GPS. He made a very nice wedge shaped mounting box that canted the GPS towards my line of sight, he painted it to look like the gel coat as close as possible. It worked perfectly, and I even rimmed it with velcro on the inside perimeter so I could take it out when I was done for the day, one last thing for someone to steal. I don't have a pic unfortunately but I could mock something up on the cad to give you an idea sometime if you need something to visualize.

The fabricator was just a local LLC that most cities of reasonable size should have a few of.

LOL...frickstyle must have posted at the same time I did. My fabrication was very similar to his GPS mount but it was canted a little more towards the driver, maybe an 1 1/2" higher in the back.

Sounds like a perfect 3D printing project.

On my Scarab the compass hole was on the flat part of the dash. I found a flat smooth dinner plate about 2" larger than the hole, waxed it and used it as a mold and made a fiberglass cover. Drilled the holes the match the compass. Painted it black (to match the dash) and mounted the GPS on it.

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/cro...h-9_600x0w.jpg

if you look at the dash, the layout is kind of tight already. I am sure I could not lay it down and have the angle to maintain readability as it is so high realative to driver POV. I also really dont want to cut into the dash....but keep the ideas coming. I am not surprised that this is not the first time this has been thought of.

That's what I want mine to look like someday!!! Beautiful!!!

You might want to check your Coast Guard Safety Regulations before removing your magnetic compass. Canadian regulations still require a magnetic compass on boats over 26 feet.

Looks like space is very tight...can a Garmin or anything fit between the dash and windshield? Maybe jut make a plate and mount the GPS Ant on it and mount the Garmin on the passenger side for the Navigator :)
If you do have the space how about a semi-sunken design? If you have a good glass guy maybe even have it flip over so its hidden when not in use?

Thanks.....I will check. All my boating will be in the US, but I would be surprised if it is different.

Take the compass out and fabricate a disc out of marine board or similar that is larger than the hole. Do a little grinding of the fiberglass under the dash and Epoxy the disc to the underside. Brush on thin epoxy on top side to waterproof. Make another disc out of abs or acrylic plastic the same size as the hole. Try to pick one the same thickness as your dash. Paint it silver. If its a little thin shim it with stainless washers till it looks flush. Use a ram mount base and through bolt it through the plastic and marine board. It may not look perfect depending on your skill set but is totally reversible if you change your mind.
http://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-D-111U-C
Lots of mounts to choose from

Chris

I just went and got the old compass out and it is a 4" hole. I will get some stuff turned out of aluminum, powder coat and then mount it. Look like it will be a great improvement, and as said, it totally reversible if things change.

Never posted how this turned out. Turned out to work very well. Here it is

is[ATTACH=CONFIG]565837[/ATTACH]

How do you see out the windshield ?

Padraig

I am 6' 1" and rarely sit down when driving.

Should work fine then. Definitely not a lot of options for mounting.

Padraig

That looks awesome. What GPS did you go with? I'm looking to do this exact thing to my new 353. Hoping to fit the Garmin 742xs

It is a 741. Copied the base in billet aluminum and then made a small base to mount the GPS bracket to it(if you zoom in on the picture, you can see this). Polished it all, clear coated it and then installed it. It looks very nice. It looks like it sticks up, but when the cockpit cover is on it, it clears fine.

It looks awesome and that's the same size as what i'm looking for. How do you like the operation of the Garmin?

I like it. Spend time on inland lakes, and it is great for that. I also hooked up the smartcraft to the network for both engines. This gives you some redundant gauges that work really nice. My favorite aspect is that you can see the actual fuel burn, and then it shows you exactly the fuel left...no more estimates for the amount of fuel in your tank. Has lots of features that are very handy.

What was needed to hook the smartcraft up? that's exactly what i'm looking for.

My boat, which is a 2014 had the network(NMEA2000) ports right under the helm. I had to buy a "NMEA Starter kit" and then just connected everything. Had minimal configuration to do....most was all there at the first startup, and has worked flawless since.
My recommendation is to pull your dash panel and look to see if the NMEA cables were run by Formula to your helm. If they were, it will be easy. If not, you have more cable work to do. BTW, I was surprised that the network cables were installed, then simply terminated under the helm of my boat as there was no use for them as the boat was build. This is the sign of quality with Formula as they install the cables as standard equipment so the addition of equipment is easier.

I agree. It's great. I like that while you're just out for a cruise, you can tweak you throttles/drives/tabs to max out your fuel economy, real time.

Technology is sweet. lol.

Got it installed yesterday thanks for all the help.

I will be adding the needed harness' to get the smart craft hooked to it very soon.

You will need the NMEA 2K gateway to convert CAN to NMEA 2K. Engine NMEA 2000 Gateway Module Part # 84-8M0105243