www.iFourWinns.com

I pulled the trigger on a raymarine c80 package. I am trying to determine the best placement on the dash. Can anyone send me pictures of where your chartplotter is mounted(regardless of brand). i am thinking of having a slanted box custom made to sink in the top of the dash where the hinged plexi glass piece is. any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Bob

_________________
Bob
2004 Vista 268
2003 Glastron GS209
2005 Dodge Durango

That's a big unit for a 268 Helm, and I'm not sure how visible it would be flush mounted
where the chart holder is located. Angled up slightly it might work, but that would be a custom install for sure.
Here is a 268 with a Furuno 1722C. Dimensions are similar, but the C80 is wider. This is the most accessible location IMO.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I've seen some pretty amazing custom jobs. No pix unfortunately. A slip neighbor had one recessed into the helm of his 28' Searay and the job was indistinguishable from the rest of the fiberglass. A decent shop can do some amazing stuff. He had his unit (a Garmin, I believe) installed in the bracket for a while. I though it worked fine that way. Navpod does sell modules designed to fully encapsulate the gear, but they'd be pretty big. If you went with a bracket I'd suggest getting a canvas cover made for it. That way it'll stay out the sun when you're not using it. That will help the plastics and the cables last a bit longer.

I don't know about putting the plotter under a flip-up cover. I find myself using the buttons often enough to not want to have them blocked. Even when people put them in boxes overheat (like up on a fishing tower) they usually have a catch of some sort to keep the lid open. I can see why you wouldn't want to have a recessed box without a cover, as water would collect in it. But unless the cover is really tight you're going to have moisture get in there anyway. Best to have the box set up with drains of some sort. That way the cover is largely cosmetic. I'd suggest one that could be removed and stowed while underway. That way it's not going to get in your way when you need it. Also consider that most clear plastics will scratch over time, so don't plan on it staying see-through.

The viewing angle on the Raymarine units is pretty wide. Depending on how tall you are it might not be too bad to leave it flat in the helm. Or raised with an angled 'ring' of some sort. The back of the plotter is pretty deep and then there's the cables sticking out even further. A tilted and raised install would need less room behind it (which that helm may or may not have under there). Then you'd also avoid needing drains and the cover.

_________________
-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Thank you for the replies. The gimble mount will definitely work. i was going to remove the chart holder and have a piece made to hold the unit at an angle so it rises in the back about 3 inches.

_________________
Bob
2004 Vista 268
2003 Glastron GS209
2005 Dodge Durango