Ram Mount on Dash-need blocking/backing?

[jcb1977]

I'm planning on installing a gps/fishfinder (Garmin 63cv) with a RAM mount....after playing with different locations i'm leaning towards installing the ball mount plate on top of the dash. The dash material seems a pretty thin there though. Was thinking of using some bolts through the ram mount, dash, and then through a small piece of 1x wood to serve as some additional support. Has anyone else needed to use some form of blocking on the underside of the ram mount?

 

[Tjw961]

Im second owner on my boat which came with a hummingbird unit that didn`t have anything for support underneath that was mounted on top of the dash. Wasn`t a big model but seemed to be fine. I just installed a larger Garmin a few weeks ago but have not had it out yet for final testing. I re-used the same screws for RAM mount to mount the Garmin and went in easily. I expect it will be fine.

 

[jryan]

I just did a Garmin install on mine on the dash, did not use backing and have not had any issues. Been out a few times in some rough water and it held fine.

 

[bronze_10]

this is how I did mine. Has never moved!

 

[PEARCE]

View attachment 113145this is how I did mine. Has never moved!

What size of a chartplotter do you have? What brand is that mount? Is this your setup that made it to Bimini? I'm looking for mounting options for a 9" Garmin and I like what I see in yours. No need to drill more holes in the boat!

 

[bronze_10]

It's a Garmin's 73 sv/DV. Something something something. It's a big one... the suction may have held it but I figured over time it would weaken with vibration and fall on the dash when I least want it to. The ubolt on the windshield brace is more for keeping vibration down. And I have it as low to the top of the dash as I can get it without it touching. I can easily see over it if I am sitting in the capt chair. It did the bimini trip, the lake marion to Charleston and back trip, myrtle beach to Charleston and back trip, the new bern to the light house and back trip.... and numerous trips from henderson to clarksville vir... not one time has it moved. I have towed the boat on the trailer from the west virginia / ohio boarder where we put the boat on the ohio river to ft Lauderdale florida and everywhere in between with the plotter all mounted up... not one budget or shake... if that's not time tested I dont know what is.

 

[Blkrvrbart]

Just put a Hook 3 with an undercount Ram Mount on my Tango. Fiberglass was 5/8” thick, used clear silicone under the base for a good contact when it was dry, seems super sturdy.

 

[Ronnie]

I am rammed out. Never needed to add support for anything I’ve mounted, not yet anyway.

 

[Babin Farms]

I think you need a few more gizmos with Ram mounts. Look at all of that open windshield area to mount stuff @Ronnie.

 

[RocketmanBMW]

View attachment 113145this is how I did mine. Has never moved!

Can you please tell us which Ram mount parts you used? This looks like a great setup.

 

[bronze_10]

Its a seasucker suction cup. If u go to their web site u can see what they have. This one is supposed to hold 40 pounds. Its the large one. Then I just order the ram mount arm from Amazon. The sucktion cup came from them as well. The ubolt just came out of a ben in my work shop. I onstalles it in the spring of 2018 and it has never moved.

 

[Berberman]

View attachment 113145this is how I did mine. Has never moved!

@bronze_10 how did you route the wires out the screen and into the storage under?