www.iFourWinns.com

I am going to add a small 15" LCD/DVD TV in the cabin. I have decided to add it to the wall that opposes the head on the starboad side of the boat. There is a very small thing piece of plywood covered in foam and vinyl. I called the factory and spoke to one of the technicians (very very helpful by the way). I explained what I wanted to do and he and I worked up a solution. I could just screw the mount into the plywood from the outside, however, we both raised the question of holding power under chop and thought that might not be the best idea. We we came up with was removing the mirror from inside the head. Cutting a access hole maybe 2"x4" in the fiberglass. Mounted the TV bracked with small bolts and washers through the plywood, effectively giving the TV more holding power. Then replacing the mirror and resealing it with cocking. What are your guys thoughts to this?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

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"Where Da Go"
2002 248 Vista
Lafayette, IN
http://blueoceanlife.worldventures.biz

How much depth is behind the plywood? If there's an inch gap behind it you could use molly bolts (the butterfly spring type that expands). Those have pretty great holding power but require a hole large enough to insert and then enough room behind to allow them to expand. There are other types of expandable bolts, some may require less clearance behind but all will require some. Another option would be to laminate another piece of plywood on the accessible side. Double up the thickness. Epoxy that to the existing plywood and also use screws. This would give a larger surface area. Use T-nuts on the back side of that plywood before laminating it. Then just bolt into those. The combination of thicker material and greater adhesion area would better distribute the stress.

Instead of cutting one big hole in the head, how about small circular ones large enough for a deep well socket? Then use circular plugs to cover the holes (seal them with caulk). This would give you a return path to get back at those bolts should they even need to be removed.

That's just a couple ideas off the top...

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Bill it a great idea but if his 248 is like mine (03) you wont have the inch.

I actually just took that panel apart last week to run the wiring for my windlass. Turns out that starboard panel up on the head is held on by screws that are accessed behind the mirror.

Not sure what bracket you will use to mount it but if possible I would just get screws to go through the fiberglass behind the mirror though the wood and use that to support your mount.

-w

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

I mounted my LCD and swing arm mount to the fore side of the microwave storage unit. Then I was able to drill a small hole to run power and rca audio from the TV. I hooked up the audio to my stereo and now get pretty good sound in there. The additional benefit to teh swing arm is that the aft cabin can use view the TV when I swing it around.

Ping me if you want pics.

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2000 Four Winns 248 Vista (Nice toys, no Air)
2001 Highly Modified Yamaha GP1200R (75+MPH)

I ended up taking off the mirror in the head. Drilled two holes for the mount all the way throught the vinyl on the other side. Used 2 2" bolds that mounted flush in 2 oversized fender washers and it worked out great. I forgot to take pictures but i will get some up soon enought. It took me all of 5 minutes (once I ran back into town for the second time to get screws that were long enough)

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"Where Da Go"
2002 248 Vista
Lafayette, IN
http://blueoceanlife.worldventures.biz