[rschwag]

I just bought a used Harbor 25 and will be adding a GPS Chartplotter. I'm wondering the best location to mount it for good visibility from the tiller. Beside a swing arm near the companionway, are there any other suggestions? Thanks

 

[miatapaul]

Well welcome to the forums. That is a pretty day sailor there! Looks like you have two options either bulkhead, or a swing out companionway mount. Either will give a good view, the swing arm of course will give a view from down below. I would say sail it for a season or so before making any real modifications, though. So if you feel you really need it, then a swing mount would be the most reversible if you feel it does not suit your needs located there, a bulkhead mount will require holes drilled, and that makes it hard to undo. Where will you be sailing? Will you really need a chartplotter? Likely the first season will be spent getting to know the boat, and just local so you may not need one right away. Given that you may not "need" one a lot of the time you may want to look into a waterproof case for a tablet, With good navigation software they can be very useful. Either Android, Window or Apple will work, though Apple will give you the most choices of truly waterproof cases. All three platforms work well, as will Linux but they are harder to set up on a tablet and that leaves you with a laptop for that option. My suggestion is windows/Linux with Open CPN as a good starting point.

 

[rschwag]

Your input is much appreciated. Per your question - - I'll be sailing on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH which has rocks and shallow areas, so I wouldn't want to wait a season before adding the chartplotter.

 

[aa3jy]

If not already on this forum..

Harbor 25 Owners

..maybe suggestions on there might be better sought..

 

[tempest]

Other than a swing arm from inside, or a bulkhead mount, if you look at the 1st page of the owners page above one owner mounted his compass, handheld radio and gps to a board that fit in his companionway. It's an interesting solution, I'm not sure if I'd like it.

I'm wondering if you could have a piece of 1" tubing welded on to the stainless steel companionway tracks ( like a grab rail) then use that to mount an edson swing arm to attach the bracket to.
The plotter and bracket can be removed and stored below when not in use.

Or, have a handle made up that aligns with the screw holes on the companionway track.

 

[capecodda]

Our first boat was a Pearson 22. We mounted a small Loran (ancient history) in the companionway off to one side, sort of angled out (yea, we are getting old). It didn't swing, but it wasn't in the way of going below either. You did have to lean forward a bit to take a look. If the tiller reaches forward enough in the Harbor 25 so you can slide forward for a peak without letting go, and if you keep the screen size small on a chart plotter, this might work for you.