www.iFourWinns.com

I want install a small flat panel on the outside wall of the head facing the v berth. I was wondering if anybody had any advice to make it like a factory install. Can I run an outlet off of the heads outlet which is adlacent to where I want to place the tv.

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Bob
2004 Vista 268
2003 Glastron GS209
2005 Dodge Durango

I personally feel that the bulkhead above the mid cabin is a better spot so that anyone at the V Birth seating doesn't have to crane their necks to see the TV. All Four Winns did was use a standard VESA straight mount and ran the wires out through a slit in the vinyl.

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Brett DiMichele

Any pics of behind the TV or with the TV down?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Sorry I don't have any behind pics but I've looked behind it and they just secured a standard straight VESA mount right to the bulkhead on the outside of the vinyl they then made a small slit to pull the cables through from the DVD player which is mounted on the port side gunnel ahead of the galley.

If you go this route you need to put a limiter strap on the head door, Four Winns used a plastic coated braided stainless steel cable to limit how far the door opens.

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Brett DiMichele

I installed a 19" 12/120v tv/dvd player in the same place as Brett's. I just used a standard mount, drilled a hole for the power cable and found power via a unused auxiliary port behind the dash. Whole install only took about 45min.

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
http://www.facebook.com/#!/rivercruiser

I plan to mount our 22" where Brett has his TV as well. For our trip a few weeks ago I tried it up front where the mirror is, that is not a good spot for a TV, we hated it! We have use laptop to watch movies and have always set on counter/stove, we like looking this direction.



I put the mirror back and currently looking for a STD mount for the TV that I like and will get mounted. Running wires will be easy, compared to rewiring all the stereo speakers last year. I plan to run all wires over to the head deck and place DVD player below head deck.

Another down fall with placing TV up front, it will see more bouncing while underway vs mid cabin.

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

Where the mirror is, is THE best spot for a TV. Easy to mount, easy to run wires, easy to see from anywhere in the cabin, including the mid berth.

My 2 cents for today. FWIW.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

The Mirror is one of the worst locations... How is the person sitting in the center of the V-Dinette supposed to watch TV? If it's installed above the mid cabin entrance, everyone seated at the V-Dinette can see the TV. I know in the past someone said "But you can't watch TV from the Mid Cabin... Honestly! Install one in the Mid Cabin if you want to watch TV from there!

But that's just my $0.02

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Brett DiMichele

I don't really like either the mirror or above the entrance to the aft berth. As Brett points out, the most comfortable spot in the V-Berth is the center seat, so the mirror spot doesn't work. Also, we really only watch television when we're settling down for the night and the V-berth mattress is all setup.

I don't like above the spot above the aft berth because of the issue with the head door bumping and, more often, blocking the tv.

Our flat panel is installed on the wall of the head and it works great. I'm going to intall an extendable/retractable mount with a swivel so that it's viewable from virtually anywere in the cabin.

Together, you got .06 worth of "wisdom".

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2006 Vista 258
2007 Yukon Denali

Thanks for all of the advice. But, how are you guys powering this up? Do you run an extension cord from your galley outlet or did you install an outlet close to the tv?

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Bob
2004 Vista 268
2003 Glastron GS209
2005 Dodge Durango

I think my OEM unit is 12 Volt DC.

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Brett DiMichele

I have the OEM drop down one next to the galley on mine. Decent location, sure wish my boat was built 3 months later though so it would have had the 15" flat screen on the side of the head from the factory.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

I installed a 19" inch lcd/dvd combo on a swing arm on the back of the head. I am going to place an outlet on the back sid eof the head gaining access through the medicine cabinet in the head. The swing arm is great because I can pull it closer when in the v-berth and can also swing it around so that I can see it from the cabin opening when up on deck. The only problem is I can't watch it unless on shore power. I am just going to plug in a power inverter for the times that I want to watch tv at sea. Thanks again for all of the good advise.

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Bob
2004 Vista 268
2003 Glastron GS209
2005 Dodge Durango

7" vs. 15".......... size does matter.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

15" is still too small, I'm thinking 22" 16:9

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Brett DiMichele