Un-invasive GPS Install
 

I was asked about this some time ago...

I lifted my compass out, and inserted the power cable for my GPS through the hole, and re-installed the compass over the cable. I tightened the screws, and used some lightweight tub/tile caulk to seal the lift from the compass bezel. It worked well, and looks nice, and best part, is no cutting/mods to dash. The GPS holder is mounted with that super strong plastic Velco from 3M you can get at Boater's World/West Marine.

Pics:

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All wired in...

Its a 26' Sonic, and I have flown the boat. Nothing has come loose, just had the GPS lay back once.

The plastic Velco is STRONG. I had to pry the base off with a screwdriver.

I have a Garmin GPS Map 175 that I installed in my boat much the same way, although I though bolted the mount. I normally keep the GPS out of the boat since it doesn't have to take the daily abuse when I really don't need it. There have been times when the GPS came out of the mount from a launch. Need to keep the strap attached to something so it doesn't fly out of the boat.

One more shot. The GPS is a Garmin, and the unit locks into the base.

Helm View...

Garmin 2010C on my 38 Formula. Built the housing out of plexiglas. 2 screws into some nylon inserts, and it wedges itself into place. Cord runs under the dash - you can just see a couple inches of it on the left lower corner.:

Top view:

Very nice and clean Chuck.

Wow, both of those installs are clean!

C_Spray - that looks awesome! You should build those suckers and sell em!

Helm view:

Thanks. It took quite a while, lots of cardboard prototypes and several months of head-scratching, but I am very pleased with it. It doesn't get in the way or block my vision at all, and it's not too far to reach. You can brace yourself on the cabin door if you have to operate it while you're running. It held up without cracking all summer last year, too. (Yea!) The Garmin is an awesome unit - worth every cent.

But if you knew how long I spent learning to bend and glue plexiglas, and then how many times I had to trim the bottom edge, I'd never make any money. Although (now that I think of it) I DO have a pattern now...

I think I got trumped again. :D

I just did not want to drill up my boat. This worked well, and I can leave it or yank it come time to sell.

Yeah, I hear ya... But now that you do have a pattern, how about fabricating it out of thin aluminum sheet, say 1/8"? This way it can be bent manually or mechanically - vs. heated to bend - and then have it powder coated (or painted ) and you're good to go.

I have actually been thru that "prototype" process with a pipe bending tool, MANY friggin hours and skinned knuckles, but it is ready for the patent office! I also just completed "prototype #1" for the second of two boating related items that is soon to be heading to patent as well. This one only took me 10 hours to build from scratch out of aluminum stock, and I only cut myself once - that has to be a record!:D Although the drawings and models took me a whole lot longer.

Sydwayz - your's is cool too!;) You get the "put brain in gear before pulling out the drill" award. Nice and clean, and easy to handle when you move up to that new 353!?:eek:

Ckuck,
Lube yours up with release agent and use it for a plug, make a mold, then make them out of fiberglass.

I know what you mean about working with plexi, I did something very similar ONCE.;)

Yep, exactly what I am looking to do. Thanks Brian.

I sent the pictures off to Scott Porter at Formula, hoping that they might do something even nicer, and then give me one for free since I did the prototyping work... :D It would look better with an arched top, but that was way beyond my capabilities.

It's not too bad, once you get your hands on some SERIOUS heat guns. (Forget hair dryers or torches!! :rolleyes: ) After that, it's just patience and persistence. Measure twice (or a million times); cut (or bend) once...

This is removeable, too. You hardly notice the nyon inserts when you take the mounting screws out.

Hardly. Yours is a far more economical installation!

Awesome job, both of you!!! With all of these people beeotching about having to pay for OSO, posts like this make it all worth the price of admission!!!:) :)

Thanks (I think). Why do I get the feeling that you're sucking up to me in preparation to ask me to build one for your Bullet?.....

Lord knows YOU need a GPS.

...and their called "charts", not "maps"....:p

very nice. Im ready to mount mine. thanks for the idea.

:D :D Not to worry Chuck, I started my install last weekend for my new Garmin that I purchased in Miami. I'm taking photos as I go and will do a thread when it's completed. Note the hole in my dash where the compass used to be.;)

No more need for "maps":D :p

Looks like my grandmother (or Bajabob38) cut that hole.... :D

OUCH!!!! The hole was already there (for the compass)! I'm going to fill it in and start over.:p :p

Seiing you work those chickees in Miami I doubt you can do anything un-invasive

Thanks GL, thanks a lot! :D

Get a man-sized GPS/chartplotter, and it will completely cover the entire area, including the hole. Loks like it's a pretty big area - 7" square or so. Another alternative is to make up a backing plate and paint it to match your dash/bezels. That way you won't have to try to glass/gel that area back up.

Chuck,
I got the 182 Color chartplotter which is more than big enough to cover the hole, However, to mount it flush against the dash, I need a hole smaller than what is presently there. My options (that i've come up with) are to glass it in or take some plexiglass or something similar and permanently attach it from the inside and then drill the smaller hole in that. I'm open for suggestions but leaning towards the plexiglass route.:)

When completed, it will be similar to this setup. I'm thinking that by doing the backing plate from the inside, it will look a little better.

white lexan is real easy to work with!!!

Does Home Depot sell it? Because I'm going to put in from the inside, It really doesn't matter what color it is.

Craig

Craig - It's up to you. Your way will work fine, but if you can find a painter, it would look neat to paint the plastic to match the dash and just attach it to the top face of the dash.

What size/thickness do you need? I have some scrap pieces in the garage from my project. If I've got a piece the right size, it's yours for free.

That will be a really clean installation, except it's on the wrong side of the boat. (Unless Nancy's driving...) :p

Nancy will be fine.....she will be looking at my handy-dandy map that I gave to her!!:p :p :p It's got the whole bay on it!!!:D :D :D

That ought to get you within, say.... oh..... I dunno..... maybe 10 miles of where you should be. Good enuf!!

:D :D :D