www.iFourWinns.com

I was thinking of installing a tv where the mirrior is in the front of the cabin on our Vista 238,has anyone done this or used this location ?need some pointers on installation.

Lots of threads on this topic. Here's a link to one that contains links to a number of others.

http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=7123&p=68907&hilit=+tv+install+#p68907

Couple of things to consider: (1) location; and (2) how you power it.

As to location, ,many here (including me) don't like the location where the mirror is. Not the easiest place to view, especially if you're laying down for the night to watch a movie or a show. Many like above the aft cabin or on the wall to the head. I prefer the wall to the head.

As for power, you can pick up any 120v set from anywhere and power it off an inverter. This gives you far more options at less expense than buying a straight up 12v tv. There are also some standard 120v tvs out there that have the the converter on the outside built into the chord. In other words, the tv internally runs on 12v, but the converter on the outside allows it run on 120v when plugged into a household outlet. Simple fix - just cut off the converter and hardwire it into the boat's 12v system. Only potential hangup with this is that some on the forum think that some of the tvs made for household use don't or can't handle the voltage fluctuations in a 12v system on a boat. I don't know whether that's true or not, but something to consider. If you're worried about it, you can pick up a tv designed to run on 12v from any number of RV websites. I have a 12v Jensen that ran me a little over $300.

Good luck with the install and post some pics.

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2006 Vista 258
2007 Yukon Denali

I just installed my Toshiba with built in dvd on the wall were the head is. Mine is an led tv and I have been watching the hockey games at night while getting the boat ready to go. I am running it off an inverter. My inverter shows poet drawvand it is reading only 50w with a dvd running

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

I too thought that the front mirror was a good location, so temporary mounted there for a weekend trip. For us, that location did not work.
If you are going to veiw while sitting around table it may work but if you are laying down on V berth this ended up being a poor choice. I ended up mounting on wall above aft cabin and adding a head door stop to keep door from opening too far and hitting TV. This location ended up being very easy run wires and mount heavy bracket to hold TV. Another benefit, being mid ship, the bouncing is less the further away from the bow.

I post this from my mobile device so difficult to post photos, but if you go to my photos link in sign and look at mods I have done posted in "248Vista" boat folder, should see finished project.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Thanks for the suggestions and the pictures.