somebody did...

Posted By: Francois M26S Vancouver Island
Date: 6/29/08 11:42a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Autopilot mounting (David 88Mac 26D)

can't quite remember who though...There's MANY options...I like the laz hatch option, if I was dealing with a new install I'd certainly consider it. The sideways forces created by the TP are not great enough to move the hatch as it drops down pretty tight in the recesses. If you're worried about it you could try pushing sideways on it with a flat hand when the hatch is down. I think that will alleviate your fears...The biggest advantage I can see is that you could raise the hatch to get something in there whithout taking the TP off the mounting socket. It is very secure in the socket but just for insurance you might want to devise as safety tether for it. I have one suggestion: install the plug on a horizontal surface. This is counter intuitive but the cap (when not plugged in) and the TP plug are a very tight fit and have a good lip to them (better anti water intrusion I figure) Mine's mounted on a vertical surface and is in the way sort of. With a hatch install you could mount the plug on the coaming near the stanchion base near the hatch hinge so you wouldn't even have to unplug it to get into the laz. The only time you'd have to mess with it is when you went swimming With the PO install on my boat you can see the extension that was required cause he made it out of oak instead of buying one of the offered extensions. He moved the starboard cleat back to do this...I heard of somebody else that, instead of moving the cleat, he filled the center of the cleat with expoxy and after it set he drilled right into the middle of it to set the socket...that's a better idea I think. Good Luck...post pics when you get it done, Cheers, F