RAM mount question for the front deck?

~Dwight~ · February 09, 2012, 09:08:35 AM

Does anyone have their sonar units mounted on RAM mounts on the front deck? Need some input before I start drilling. I drilled a hole in my foot pedal tray to pass my wires through so they would not be running across the floor last night and discovered that it is basically a double wall type set up, with foam in between. I am out of town now and will finish everything up Friday evening when I get home. My question is if anyone has their units mounted on RAM's and where did they put them?? Anyone have pictures? I have an idea where I would like to put it, off to the right side of the front deck so it won't obstruct my switches but don't know if I will be able to get to the underside of the deck to put the nuts on the bolts . Guess I will have to pull everything out of the compartment on that side and see if I can crawl up that far when get home. Also, how did ya'll mount them down to the deck...
thanks for the help everyone

bassmasta63 · February 09, 2012, 09:08:28 PM

I'm no expert but I would use self tapping srews. thats what I used on my last boat and they worked great! I don't have my dephth finders ram mounted in my new boat. I would see what others say before you listen to me,lol. Good luck!

E5Zero · February 09, 2012, 09:59:49 PM

I used self-tapping screws on mine several times. In fact I have too many holes now!

Not sure what size unit you are mounting, but lay it down when running, I speak from experience.

~Dwight~ · February 10, 2012, 07:34:56 AM

I am mounting a HB 1197 at the front on a 2.25" ram. I run in rough water sometimes, so it will need bolts, washers, and nuts. If I have too I will move it more forward so I can access the underside of the deck from the panel in the front,the only downside to this it's that the unit will make accessing my switches difficult.

E5Zero · February 10, 2012, 09:22:58 AM

I had a 997 up front on a Ram Mount, it was the smaller one, bad move on my part. It is now on the console.

Call me jealous, but an 1197 up front is more than sweet!

Agree on the mounting for the big boy. Makes you wonder how the pros rig their large units, or should I say have them rigged.

~Dwight~ · February 10, 2012, 04:39:34 PM

My 997 was at the front, I moved it back to the console thinking the bigger screen would be more beneficial at th
e front

E5Zero · February 10, 2012, 06:39:16 PM

You might be right, up front bigger is better. I have a 798 up there now and rarely use SI on it since the screen is so small. I need to sell it and get another 997!

Russ199A · February 11, 2012, 06:24:24 PM

Dwight, Steve and I had my electronics out a couple weeks ago checking some things, anyway, you need to make sure you don't drill through one of the bulkheads that run the length of the boat. Other than that I don't see you having an issue. I would put the ram mount just to the right of your fwd rocker switches. There isn't anything underneath that area to get in the way. Just watch out for any other wires and drain tubes.

~Dwight~ · February 11, 2012, 07:36:22 PM

Well got it in last night. I had to call my son to come over and help, a 17 year old is a little smaller than dad...LOL We took everything out of the driver side storage box and he was able to crawl up under the front deck. I mounted the RAM mount to the right side, but wanted to bolt it in place to make sure it wouldn't come out, you know with these Legends we tend to run faster in rougher water so wanted to make sure it wouldn't come out. He was able to crawl up and hold back up for me to tighten the bolts up. I also drilled a hole next to the mount and ran my wires through and installed one of the Humminbird wire covers to hide the hole. I also drilled a hole in the front of the trolling motor tray about midway down and ran my trolling motor power wire, TM built in transducer wire, and my SI transducer wire through that hole and covered it with another one of the Humminbird covers. My plate where the trolling motor plug was notched under the plug for the Minn Kota built in transducer wire to pass through to the original sonar unit in the bow so I had opened the notch up last year when I put the SI transducer on and ran both cables through. I now have the trolling motor power wires run through that notch and right around to the back of the plug. The front part of my deck looks extremely clean now that all of that excess wire is as hidden as possible. the only thing that is there is the control cables from the foot. I will try and get some pictures posted tomorrow. By the way, that is one awesome plug Legend uses for their trolling motors.

Groma · February 15, 2012, 11:05:31 AM

Dwight, Do you have any pics to post yet ? I'd be interested in seeing just how you made those runs. As well as just pics of Legends in general...