Inside/outside viewing when navigating by tablet
Issue 92 : Sept/Oct 2013
About 30 years ago, I fabricated a teak swing-out arm for my navigation aids, a Loran and depth finder (it’s pictured in Mail Buoy, January 2011). The swinging arm made it possible to view these instruments from inside the cabin or from the cockpit. For navigation these days, I use a Garmin GPS mounted on the cabintop of my 1970 Morgan 33. Since I had removed the old instruments from the swing-out arm, I decided to use it to mount my iPad, on which I have some of the latest navigation apps such as iSailGPS and Navipad.
Because the iPad might be exposed to the elements, I searched for a protective case for it. I purchased a Survivor case made by Griffin Technology. This military-spec case consists of a hard plastic case for the iPad and a soft molded-vinyl cover for the plastic case. The protective case allows the full use of the iPad’s plug-in components and camera. Brackets are available commercially to hold the iPad without this protective cover. However, the bracket I made securely holds my iPad and its cover and is adjustable to reduce glare. It also allows for quick removal of the iPad when necessary for recharging or use elsewhere.
I used 1⁄4-inch StarBoard for the back and made two U-shaped support brackets from 1⁄16 x 3⁄4-inch aluminum bar stock. I bought three black-plastic threaded knobs, two for the friction adjustment on the bracket and a smaller one for the iPad “clamp.” These knobs are available in hardware stores in various thread sizes. The threaded inserts are brass, but stainless-steel wing nuts could also be used. I also used an assortment of stainless-steel fasteners.
I wanted the iPad to be held firmly yet be able to be removed quickly. I settled on using a couple of double robe hooks (typically used on the backs of doors) to secure the iPad to the StarBoard back. These hooks are available at most hardware stores and I found the perfect solution in the Liberty design.
The robe hooks work well because the mounting holes are in line. The lower hook is fixed, secured by two small bolts and nuts. The upper hook has to move to facilitate inserting and removing the iPad, so only one hole is used. I had to drill it out slightly to accept the bolt, which is able to slide in a slot cut in the StarBoard back and is tightened by the smaller black knob. The double hooks grip the padded iPad securely.
The photos show the relative sizes of the parts. Hole spacing and hole patterns will vary between mounting systems on individual vessels. My goal was to keep it simple, cost effective, and functional.
Gary Gerber, a retired industrial designer, has been sailing for more than 40 years in coastal New England, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. He lives in Annapolis and sails his 1970 Morgan 33 on Chesapeake Bay.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
