D1vemaster
Cadet
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2013
- Messages
- 22
I searched and searched and found not much when trying to figure out how to get a
chart plotter in my bowrider. This is a problem in most bowriders as the dash is all curvy. No flat spot for mounting the anything. SO here is how I did it for those that are as puzzled as I was.
I chose an Lowrance Elite-4 standard with the 83/200 khz sonar unit. As luck would have it this unit mates up with the 200 khz in hull unit installed by Glastron. I couldn't pull through the cable to reach the new unit as they have it cable tied up in the hull someplace. Ordered a new 15ft extension off of ebay and used a snake to route it back to the engine compartment. I have left the lowrance 7800 depth gauge installed as backup. A quick switch of cables in the engine compartment and I'm on the old unit. I was going to use a stick on gps mount on the curved part of the dash but having an ocean boating background I could just see if flying off when I hit a good sized wave.
I chose to give up my cup holder and mount it there. The stainless cup holder comes with a drain in the bottom that when removed leaves a 3/8ths inch or so hole dead center . Cut a 5/8th inch hole also in the bottom of the cup holder for the power/transducer plughead. I went to Wallymart and bought a plastic cutting board for $2. I cut it in a circle the size of the cup holder. A trip to HD brought home a 4 1/2 inch x 1/4 bolt, lock washer and (2) nuts. Cut a 1/4 inch whole dead center in the plastic. I had some Black wood screws that I cut to 1/4 inch long and mounted the Elite 4 base to the center of the plastic. Cut a 5/8th whole also to feed up the cable. Crawled up under the dash and wired the new unit into the same power wiring as the old Lowrance unit. So far so good, nice and solid. Need a little tape around the hole for the wire through the bottom of the cup to prevent wire chafing. Need to add a cooze for my drink and prop it on the dash and I,m good to go. Can't wait to try it on the water. Suggestions welcome.
![IMG_0656[1].jpg](https://forums.iboats.com/data/attachments/152/152047-612a0fca3c822a7f343f77e50d149d4a.jpg "IMG_0656[1].jpg")
![IMG_0657[1].jpg](https://forums.iboats.com/data/attachments/152/152048-a7b3bee4d61863201371bbeb38e19eb3.jpg "IMG_0657[1].jpg")
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chart plotter in my bowrider. This is a problem in most bowriders as the dash is all curvy. No flat spot for mounting the anything. SO here is how I did it for those that are as puzzled as I was.
I chose an Lowrance Elite-4 standard with the 83/200 khz sonar unit. As luck would have it this unit mates up with the 200 khz in hull unit installed by Glastron. I couldn't pull through the cable to reach the new unit as they have it cable tied up in the hull someplace. Ordered a new 15ft extension off of ebay and used a snake to route it back to the engine compartment. I have left the lowrance 7800 depth gauge installed as backup. A quick switch of cables in the engine compartment and I'm on the old unit. I was going to use a stick on gps mount on the curved part of the dash but having an ocean boating background I could just see if flying off when I hit a good sized wave.
I chose to give up my cup holder and mount it there. The stainless cup holder comes with a drain in the bottom that when removed leaves a 3/8ths inch or so hole dead center . Cut a 5/8th inch hole also in the bottom of the cup holder for the power/transducer plughead. I went to Wallymart and bought a plastic cutting board for $2. I cut it in a circle the size of the cup holder. A trip to HD brought home a 4 1/2 inch x 1/4 bolt, lock washer and (2) nuts. Cut a 1/4 inch whole dead center in the plastic. I had some Black wood screws that I cut to 1/4 inch long and mounted the Elite 4 base to the center of the plastic. Cut a 5/8th whole also to feed up the cable. Crawled up under the dash and wired the new unit into the same power wiring as the old Lowrance unit. So far so good, nice and solid. Need a little tape around the hole for the wire through the bottom of the cup to prevent wire chafing. Need to add a cooze for my drink and prop it on the dash and I,m good to go. Can't wait to try it on the water. Suggestions welcome.
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