RAM mount on front deck... help...

[Bill Willette]

I have a 640LX and want to mount a GARMIN 160 or 240 on the

bow. Theres not much room up there but I've already

aquired a RAM mount for the 160 or 240 and it will fit

just fine. However, I need to mount it on the carpet

area of the deck.



I know I will have to use stainless H/W, but do I use

wood type of screws or drill all the way through the deck

and use washers and nylon lock nuts? (I can get to underneath where the unit would mount) When the Fish Finder is removed, just the ball of the RAM mount will be there and I'll probably step on in loading & unloading the boat. Thats why I thought maybe I should drill through... but of course this will leave holes if the unit gets removed...

 

[Staci Matheis]

Bill -



I have always used wood-type stainless for mounting stuff like fishfinders and trolling motor pedals to my front deck. Haven't had any problems. (Yet!)



me!

 

[Larry Harp]

That's what I did. SS wood screws right into the wood. No problemo. I have only had the boat out 3 times since I got the new Garmin for Xmas, but have had no trouble steping or tripping over it.

Harpo

 

[James D.]

Bill,



I would go ahead and use the screws to begin with. the ram mount will take (6) of them. IF the boat is on rough waters and IF they tend to work loose, then you could always through bolt them later. monitor the mount and at the first sign of it getting loose, thourgh bolt it. You probably woun't need to though. Good luck and let me know how it works out as I have a similar installation coming up on my lx700.



jd

 

[Marke Cicero]

Bill,



I would use the wood screws too. Just make sure they are long enough to get enough bite into the wood. The decks are 3/4" thick (I think) and the RAM bases are about 1/4". So make sure you use at least a 1" long screw.



Marke

 

[Scott Smith]

If it was my boat I would through bolt it, but then again I fish St. Clair and anything not through bolted will very quickly work itself lose. Re-tightening things over and over will just cause it to fail more quickly the next time. Through bolt, use some nylon lock nuts and you won't have to worry about it again. Why do the same job twice..??

 

[Marke Cicero]

Good call Smitty. I guess I better learn to start taking LSC into consideration more often.



When the weather warms up I'll have you over to the house and you can show me how to properly St. Clair proof a TV-18.



Marke

 

[gone bye bye]

I have never thru bolted a bow mounted graph. Nor have I ever lost one in the drink.......100 days average on the water (most of it Clair)



Just check to make sure they are tight when you walk around your boat with a screwdriver. You shouldnt have a problem.



Mini

 

[Staci Matheis]

Another hint:



I usually put a dab of silicone on screws. Works like Loc-tite to keep the screw from backing out from vibration but doesn't make it any more difficult to remove when you want to. I do this anytime I have to tighten any screws on my boat.

 

[gone bye bye]

Using silicone around carpet is a scary thought for me....I just know I would set the tube down or get it some where I wasnt supposed to....I check the screws weekly (on Monday) of the entire boat.



Mini

 

[Staci Matheis]

Just a "dab", Mini!



Just take the cap off and barely touch the threads to the goo..... Don't even think about trying to coat them. Use only a fraction of a drop.



If you check your screws every week, this will save you a TON of time!



Try it! You'll like it!







I've even done this to the screws that hold the rub railing on..... They are notorious for backing out. Mine don't.