The larger screen is much easier to read than the screen of a handheld GPS. The box makes the unit self contained and portable. As with other marine GPS units, you can load it with waypoints, employ the man-overboard functions, and save tracks and routes. This unit also has inputs for engine diagnostics and wind instruments.
Photographs by the author
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How much did it cost for everything? I have a couple of boats that this would be good for.
Cost of the GPS was actually less than the 78 SC which sells for about $350 if not on sale. I think I paid about $200. Check Lowrance and Sitex; it’s a pretty competitive market. Look for places that sell stuff for fishing paddleboards and kayaks. Battery was something around $130. You might be able to get away with a lot less as there are small motorcycle-based batteries and cases used in the fishing side. There are waterproof boxes for these and some may have clearance for both the GPS and battery. The lithium battery I bought takes up less than half the space in the Pelican box. When hunting for a GPS, if you want to have the angled feature you’ll need a horizontal one.
I’ve been mulling over something like this for some time now. Thanks for trail-blazing a simple solution for us, Ben!
Excellent idea for my Sandpiper 565, stand alone, storable.
Elegant solution, Ben. Can you mount a paper chart, too?
Paper charts live in a waterproof case. I like ones that have rolled velcro closures, like Ortleib’s, as opposed to the ones that have the squeeze-together kind as I’m not competent enough to operate them reliably. I hunt charts printed on waterproof paper as well, as I find that there is always moisture about. Maptech and Waterproof Charts make them. On my kayak I have appropriate bungees to hold them down. On the Maine Island Trail boats we have small chart tables with bungees and clamps. For a larger sailing boat I think a bit of ply or similar material with bungees could make a fine portable chart table.
As somebody who day-sails and camp-cruises on an old GP14, this seems like a much better idea than the small handheld GPS I currently use. Thank you for the great idea, now to change it around some so I can better protect the GPS from accidental damage.
Hi, Ben. A small solar panel added to the party would keep the battery charged for trips longer than a day away from power. À la EasyBailer.
That Easy Bailer is a little like the bailer I built that goes in a welding-rod case. Batteries are rechargeable in one end of the case with a minicell bulkhead. The whole thing needed to be submersible as it was designed to dewater a kayak and be tossed from one kayak to another. Chief problem was finding a decent waterproof switch.