what size RAM mount???

[barchief]

Do I need for my LMS 525C to mount it on my '06 285 ProXL?

Anybody with a 285 have one RAM mounted with pics to share??

[Buccaneer]

Sorry Barchief, no pictures yet. I just got a HB 788Ci unit and while I am waiting for the Bird folks to trade out my dualbeam ducer for a quadrabeam ducer I have been scoping out the mounting options on my 2004 285 ProXL. I ended up going to http://www.themountdepot.com and bought the RAM unit with 2.5" diameter Base and 1.5" "C" size Ball. I wanted a long arm to allow turning the unit to see from the front deck, the standard arm is too short in my opinion. Click on "RAM Components" on the left side menu and you can buy the base, arm and unit bracket pieces separate at a reasonable price, keyed to the Ball Size.
Although it looks reasonably flat, the space to the right of the console on the gunwale on the Stratos 285 is not flat. I am thinking I will have to shim to base with rubber or nylon washers otherwise when tightened down I believe there is a high liklihood of cracking the gell coat. I was going to mount it sideways on the open spot of the console below the windshield but that has a slight radius to it also. I am going to go ahead and put it on the gunwale section, shim it somehow to make the base lay flat and then back it up with fender washers underneath.

[firestopper069]

I have a LMS 520c @ the bow. and LCX 113c HD at the dash. I used a ram-111 1.5 ball for the bow. Not to forshore on the ball size either 2 or 2.5 for the 113. If you go to http://www.ram-mount.com then marine type in your units it will help fit the best. But the 111 the most universal. The 113 could use the 1.5ball but I opted the go with more support. (You should have bigger ball fir your unit LOL). I can try to get you some pictures. may not be close up of the units. O my boat is 285 also [img][/img]<br /><br />
Modified by firestopper069 at 8:31 AM 5/31/2010 Forgot to tell you. I removed the large plug at the bow where the flasher would be, and mounted the puck there.Had to fabercate a ring to fit both holes. ran the wires through the other plug (upper rt of the flasher plug) to the unit. and used a clam to cover that hole.


Modified by firestopper069 at 8:38 AM 5/31/2010

[JeffA]

nice!...that LCX-13 is huge!

[Buccaneer]

OK Barchief, here are my pics from my just completed Humminbird 788Ci mount on a 285 ProXL. RAM 202U, 2.5" Base with 1.5" Ball, RAM 201-U-D "D" Size Long Arm for 1.5" Ball. This allows me the swing need to rotate from driver's seat viewing to front deck viewing. Hope these images work.

[barchief]

Thanks for the pics! That helps out a bunch!!!

[Buccaneer]

Barchief, because of the radius in that area right of the console I put a 3/16" rubber separator between the base and the gunwale on top side and used nylon fender washers and SST fender washers on the under side to relieve strain on the mount base. Maybe I was over protective but I did not want my gel coat to begin to crack in that area. The 1.5" ball seemed plenty strong enough with no movement at WOT in choppy water.

[nsane]

Firestopper, do you have a dvd player mounted to that tv, thats nice , I wished I could afford a unit like that The units I have are both Lowrance units 334ci and 102 ,I dont think they a large enuff to use ram mounts (both are nice units though)

[firestopper069]

Thnx. Microwave's under the pass seat too,LOL.for the pop corn to go with the movies. Got my deal right here on BBC. Ur units are bout the same size as a 520 arn't they? Now I have to have lessons on how to use the damn things. I had the smaller ram mount at the bow 1in ball and didnt like it. had a lot of bounce. Definatly don't go smaller than the 1.5 ball ram mount.