Laptop Mounts

[NorthernFocus]

If anyone uses a laptop at the helm I'd appreciate any photos etc. on how you have it mounted. I've got a RAM double elbow/swivel type mount that I took off of my old boat. But I couldn't come up with an installation that I was happy with. So I used a temporary mount this season. I'd like to see if there are other things I haven't thought of before installing a permanent solution.

 

[Scuffy]

You can look at my photo album. We navigate with Coastal Explorer using a laptop. We had a wood guy friend make us up an tray table that sits on top of the wood that is on each side of the entrance to the berth. The front is v shaped and follows the line of the two middle windows. It's made out of red oak and has a natural stain. It has fiddles underneath to keep it in place on both the sides and front to back. Has worked well so far. Just lifts off if need be. No new holes in the boat.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks, Dave. Yes I also use Coastal Explorer. Have been using it pretty much since it hit the market. Frankly I don't even know how to use the plotter on my boat. On our C-Dory the same 11in. laptop doubled as our entertainment center and library for electronic copies of equipment manuals etc. Now with the bigger boat I carry another laptop for that stuff.

I built something similar to yours to get by this season. I'd like to have the laptop lower. Like on about the same level as the Raymarine display. For both better lighting and to eliminate the obstructed view out the windshield. But it has to be something that swings out of the way and stows easily. In the higher position it is really obnoxious when navigating in the dark. Not that we do much of that up here. But late in the season it does happen.

 

[Cruzerboy]

How about an iPad? Less cumbersome to mount and carry around with you.

 

[NorthernFocus]

How about an iPad? Less cumbersome to mount and carry around with you.

The Coastal Explorer software is worth the hassle of having a laptop. I've tried the nav apps currently available and they just aren't there yet. I wish so. Integral GPS etc. would be awfully handy.

 

[Binare]

Not sure if your 25 has the tv mount like the newer ones but I'd also look at mounting a touchscreen monitor there on a swivel and using a Bluetooth keyboard with touchpad like this:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX36609

That way you could just leave the laptop closed up and out of the way.

Of course, it wouldn't have to be a touchscreen just would be handy.

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX42768

 

[NorthernFocus]

Don't know what the TV mount looks like on the newer boats. But hanging a thin LED monitor on a swivel/folding mount is a good idea. Don't really need the keyboard while navigating and I already use a remote touchpad. And I already have a super thin Samsung 1080p monitor that I don't use any more. That's a thought.