Mounting options for Sonar in the bow?

[Waxy]

Originally Posted by REW

Waxy,
Mount the depth finder up on the bow of the boat.
You can use a flat mount, that is rock solid stable, easy to adjust for perfect viewing and can be easily seen from the drivers seat if needed.

If you spear a wave and wipe the electronics off of the bow of the boat, you have more things to worry about than the electronics. Also, that is why you have insurance.

I have three pieces of gear - all mounted on the deck on both sides of the bow light and it has worked out very well over the years of ownership on the boat.

I also mounted my bow electronics on the bow of my previous boat as well - again on both sides of the bow light, with no issues at all.

Have I buried the nose of the boat in a wave once in a while - yes, but never an issue with the electronics.

The walk down issue is why I got rid of my last ram mount last year. Just too much walk down on every piece of gear that was mounted on a ram mount.

I went to the largest Johnny ray mounts. Rock solid, easy on and off and easy click stop to turn for easy viewing.

I have no reason to ever go back to a ram mount.

Good luck
REW

I'm reluctant to put stuff up on the nose, because it doesn't get covered by the tarp either that way, which means it has to be removed every day regardless, but you do make some really good points.

I haven't bought anything yet, so I'll keep looking around.

Waxy

[bird]

Originally Posted by Wade B AKA: Ruger2506

Hope this picture is clear enough. Traditional RAM mount.

Wade any advice on drilling into the floor/carpet. I have a Ranger 1860 and I am planning to do the same thing you did. Also, what screws to use. Thanks

[REW]

Also,
I always remove all of my electronics at the end of every day, so for myself; it is a non issue.

REW

[reddog]

Originally Posted by bird

Wade any advice on drilling into the floor/carpet. I have a Ranger 1860 and I am planning to do the same thing you did. Also, what screws to use. Thanks

Im not Wade, but I floor mounted a Ram Swing arm on both the bow and the dash. I like them alot. (previously owned 1 1/2" ram ball mounts)..



Separate the fibres of the carpet before drilling.. Take a nail punch and push an initial hole thru the carpet backing, and wiggle it around, making a hole for the drill bit to go thru.. (you dont want to risk snagging the carpet fibres). Drill a pilot hole thru the deck, and run the screws thru the mount. I found some black stainless screws at the local hdwe store.. Match them up to the holes in the mount.

[Prince of Worms]

Use 1/4" lexan.
Put carpet on bottom.
Use plastic insert lock nut to adjust tension.
Swing mount allows infinite adjustment. And, it is easy to swing unit out of the way when getting out of the boat over the bow.

see attached photos

[Prince of Worms]

tried to upload photos

[rocket man]

Might not be good for you guys,but it works for me.

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...6/100_1010.jpg

[moose-hunter]

Just re-mounted my HB 958c in a "better" location. I was tired of always mounting/ dismounting the front graph all the time. This way, I loosen the mount and fold it down, cover it and I'm down the road...

In my 1875 ProV, I found a hole, roughly 1/2" dia., behind the front deck light. Used a 3/8" dia cap screw to mount my customized Ram base, and the rest... is history. Solid as a rock!!

The light? Just moved it to the other side below the T/M receptacle.

Edit to add... If I ever make any changes, and yes... I will, with the "customized" (turned down) Ram base, I can easily replace the original light and the hole is gone AND the crushed carpet has also disappeared. Win, win... WIN!

[Crankbaiter]

For what it is worth. If you go with a system like Moose Hunter has displayed, by that I mean mounted on the "face" of the bow compartment area (usally in carpet) there are a few nice advantages. I run a Lund and there is a lot of room to do this "front face" mounting even with a front storage compartment door but maybe other boats wont have this option.

Assuming you have this option:
First like someone mentioned mounting the unit on the top of that area makes for difficult boat covering and it also seems to get in the way of the BM cords. Plus those drilled holes are impossible to hide if you make a change someday...and you will....
Second it is much more protected going down the road and/or the lake.
Also by mounting it to the right of center there is no interference with the BM trolling motor at all.

I would add one thing: Go with a long arm ram mount (or what ever brand you choose) for a couple reasons. One it makes it easier to reach when your operating out of the front (less bending over) and also when the the unit is not in use I put the cover on the screen then let the face of the unit lay flat on the floor and then tighten up the ram mount. This makes for a rock solid position to be going down the road or in real rough water and the screen cover can not fly off.
Otherwise if a shorter mount is used then when the unit tips over or is lowered for transport it is just hanging there banging around with no support.

[Genius]

I been scratching my head for the last few months, alot of reading here..
This is also my 1st fishing boat 2013 Lund Crossover 1875 which I'm rigging myself.
Being a rather tall guy and not wanting the cover to inter-fear this is
what I finally did.
788 on the bow with a HD ram 111U 1.5 ball
I've heard of the Ram mounts slipping, but with the 788 and the 111, I think I'll be fine..
When moving fast in ruff water I may simply lay the thing down...
I also went with a 898 & a Johnny Ray on the dash.