Electronics Travel Protection

[Road Kill]

When traveling with your boat and trailer, do you leave your fishfinder and other such electronics mounted in your boat? Do you feel it is a good idea to remove them?

[RoyGPA]

I keep mine inside the truck.

RoyGPA

[walleyejig2000]

Dirt, dust, and airborne debris are electronics worst nightmare. Even with your cover on the boat they aren't completely safe, IE, vibration.
Mine come off.

Steve

[VMS]

On long travels, I have my rig covered, so I remove the electronics and wrap them in a towel, then place them inside a life jacket in the forward compartment of the boat. This minimizes any jostling they may recieve due to poor road conditions, and also cushions them by being in a life-jacket. They stay put, and I know that I will ahve them along if I forget to put them on before leaving the launch. I also make sure to lock the compartment as well. It also keeps debris off of them so they cannot get messed up

Steve

[Dodge1]

I always take mine off, even for a short trip.

[work2fish]

I've used one of these Cabela's fishfinder covers and they work well:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml?id=0000797013630a&navAction=push&navCount=3&indexId=cat21402&podId=0000797&catalogCode=IC&parentId=cat21402&parentType=index

work2fish

[Marble Eyes]

I remove mine. I put the LCD unit in a tupperware container that I lined with a thick piece of foam. If it is a local trip I keep it a forward compartment. A long haul or overnight stays away from home,I put it in the Truck. The Genetron is removed and goes in the truck each trip.

[Jeff ND]

I use a hard sided pistel case to carry the electronics in. Can put one or two pcs in each case depending on the size. I cut the egg foam in the case to craddle the units. For short hauls they are in the boat and for long trips in the truck with me.

[Hawgeye]

Although electronics are well mounted for taking waves and other things, road vibrations shock things much more severely and it is a good idea to remove electronics. I made a hard case for mine that is lined with foam that I just slip them in there and close up.

[Dave S]

I remove my locators and store in a softsided foam cooler in my truck. I got the idea from a past issue of Bass / Walleye Boat Magazine. You can purchase soft sided coolers in a variety of sizes very inexpensively. My Pinpoint 7520 with attached Ram base fits within the softsided foam cooler for a 6 pack of pop, has carrying handle, and zippered top for easy removal.

[mbrandt]

I store mine in a old hard covered suitcase that I filled with a big foam rubber pad cut to fit the case. I then cut out openings for each piece of equipment. It rides in the back of the truck. Then I don't have to worry about theft either. In winter the suitcase stores nicely inside the house and they're all in one place.

Mark

[Wiley Walleye]

All of the above. Have used the soft cooler for over 10 years. It then can serve 2 purposes if needed.
One other concern. If you leave on the boat and wires are hooked up, you could have a voltage surge or problem you never thought of.
2 cents
Joe

[Road Kill]

Great idea's guys, off they come. Now for a good storage case. lol This forum rocks! I think that means its great. lol Thanks all.:D

[MLD]

This works good for an electronics case:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml?id=0012121014846a&navAction=jump&navCount=6&indexId=cat20325&podId=0012121&catalogCode=IC&parentId=&parentType=

Mike

[eyeman_1]

Vibration from trailering is a killer on electronics. Unless it's fishing locally I take mine off and place them inside an old laptop computer case. Even though I trailer my boat covererd I still remove them as dust and dirt just beg for electronic gremlins. I can fit my LMS305A, X15 and X70 inside the case with their mounts. Then I put the case in my truck for safety. I've also purchased the neoprene covers sold by Cabela's for screen cover protection. They work great at keeping the screens scratch free and cushion them.

Jim
#534

[Finaddict]

Just like mbrandt bought an old hard side suit case at a garage sale and got inch and a half thick foam from a craft store lined both sides of the case makes for a very good electronics case.

[Lund AnglerMJ]

I've alway's removed my electronic's,and put them in the back of the truck.Alway's make sure they're cushioned from bump's and grind's on the road.Had case for depth finder's,and a soft spot,for everything else.