Winter Upgrades Help

[countyrookie]

I've got a 2006 TR-20X that I'm putting some upgrades in this winter. One of which is a Helix 7 on the bow. Ultimately, I'd like to flush mount it in the current place of the old graph. I know that's a big modification/fabrication, but looking for some ideas and pics if anyone's done this. And if it's easier to just bracket mount it, what/how to fill the old hole?

Thanks in advance.

Scott

[Lightning 6]

Personally, I prefer having the gimbal on my graphs so I can remove them when boat is at shop & adjust their angle if sun glare is bad.

I mounted a ram mount in the upper right corner of the TM tray rather than an over the pedal mount because I have my TM wired so I can remove/ swap it out with a spare.

Easy to cover the flush mount hole with a piece of hdpe cutting board or a 1/8” aluminum plate (both are easy to fabricate). Ashmore marine products also make plates.

[XXXLTRP]

I'm not sure if the TR20x has the same bow configuration as my 21x hp, I removed the entire vinyl wrapped panel and replaced it with aluminum, and used the stock Lowrance bracket to mount a 9 Carbon. I took pictures of a lot of boats here and there before I got to work mine. I'd say to flush mount a 7, a panel would have to be made, and some cutting of the fiberglass behind the panel to fit a 7 in place of the smaller Lowrance I removed. Flush mounting would have you stuck with a position, glare and angles could be an issue like mentioned by Lightning 6.

Hull 5.jpgHull 6.jpgHull 7.jpgHull 9.jpg

[XXXLTRP]

This was the factory setup/ the new to me version.

Hull 1.jpg

[Lightning 6]

8B515E57-334E-4F6F-9FD8-91DBC34D1E77.jpegACDA358B-92D5-4979-9F79-4CCFD8360F3D.jpeg
Believe the 2006 20X has same bow shroud as my 2007 196. If so, flush mounting a 7” graph would likely require relocating the anchor light & tilt switches.

Good luck with your upgrade….but recommend giving consideration to maintaining the gimbal….glare & reflected light can ruin your day.

[countyrookie]

I'm not sure if the TR20x has the same bow configuration as my 21x hp, I removed the entire vinyl wrapped panel and replaced it with aluminum, and used the stock Lowrance bracket to mount a 9 Carbon. I took pictures of a lot of boats here and there before I got to work mine. I'd say to flush mount a 7, a panel would have to be made, and some cutting of the fiberglass behind the panel to fit a 7 in place of the smaller Lowrance I removed. Flush mounting would have you stuck with a position, glare and angles could be an issue like mentioned by Lightning 6.

Hull 5.jpgHull 6.jpgHull 7.jpgHull 9.jpg

I like this idea. Not sure that I'm talented enough to make the same deal with aluminum. How thick? What did you put around it (the black seal)? I'll take a pic of my front plate. My 20X is an HP as well. I have the trolling motor plug as a part of the plate.

I get the glare and angles thing, guess I've just gotten used to changing where I stand. Oh, and I do like the ability to be able to foot op the trim when needed.

[Lightning 6]

A couple advantages to the RAM mount are:
1-I can pull the graph & gimbal off when I travel with my cover on.
2-I can fold the graph over flat/ face down onto the carpet to protect it when running in rough water.

[countyrookie]

A couple advantages to the RAM mount are:
1-I can pull the graph & gimbal off when I travel with my cover on.
2-I can fold the graph over flat/ face down onto the carpet to protect it when running in rough water.

Makes sense. Still getting there with the idea.

Pics of my current bow setup.

Bow.jpgBow 2.jpg

[XXXLTRP]

I like this idea. Not sure that I'm talented enough to make the same deal with aluminum. How thick? What did you put around it (the black seal)? I'll take a pic of my front plate. My 20X is an HP as well. I have the trolling motor plug as a part of the plate.

I get the glare and angles thing, guess I've just gotten used to changing where I stand. Oh, and I do like the ability to be able to foot op the trim when needed.

The aluminum is 1/8 thick. The seal around it is Trimlock, same trim that is probably on the side edge of your consoles by the step up to the front deck. I didn't have the trolling motor plug in mine. The switches could have been easily re-used, but I came across that Tracker combo switch and like the looks and fit of it. The switches and plugs are just extra holes in the plate. It was nice to put everything where I wanted. I use the rod butt to activate that trim switch on the bow now when needed.

I took lots of pictures at boat distributors/ sale from every make and model, put all the ideas together and chased parts that worked for me. Bending the aluminum wasn't real easy. Cutting, drilling, finishing it was no problem.

[got_musky]

I've got an 07 TR21X HP with the same factory bow setup. I fabricated some 1/4" Aluminum into brackets like you see made by BBT, Precision Sonar, etc. in order to mount x2 12" Helix Humminbirds

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b8i...usp=share_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10U0...usp=share_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K-J...usp=share_link

[countyrookie]

I've got an 07 TR21X HP with the same factory bow setup. I fabricated some 1/4" Aluminum into brackets like you see made by BBT, Precision Sonar, etc. in order to mount x2 12" Helix Humminbirds

WOW, that's a lot of screen! Thanks for the idea. Care to adopt a Sailor?

[got_musky]

You find your way up in this neck of the woods, I'd be glad to take you out (as long as the water is not solid!). Thank you for your service, sir!

[got_musky]

BTW - I forgot to mention, if you are running any new electronics to the bow, or anywhere for that matter I highly suggest to run new, upsized wiring from the battery compartment to that location. You can check out what I did here:

https://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1189614

[got2fish]

You can also use 1/2” HDPE board as an alternative to fabricating something from aluminum. That is what I used. I bought a 2’x4’ sheet off Amazon and used the existing plate as a guide to cut it out with a router. It works great and can be done in less than 30 minutes.

[countyrookie]

You can also use 1/2” HDPE board as an alternative to fabricating something from aluminum. That is what I used. I bought a 2’x4’ sheet off Amazon and used the existing plate as a guide to cut it out with a router. It works great and can be done in less than 30 minutes.

Do you guys think 1/8" HDPE would suffice? I was thinking 1/4" for some reason, but I'm looking at the 1/8" aluminum posts.

[Lightning 6]

1/8” hdpe will be too thin. It might not crack….but it will ‘mis form’ in heat due to the weight of the graph.

[countyrookie]

1/8” hdpe will be too thin. It might not crack….but it will ‘mis form’ in heat due to the weight of the graph.

So definitely 1/2, or will 1/4 be fine? I was thinking of the console as well as the bow.

[got2fish]

I used 1/2” hdpe and it works great. It is rock solid.

[got2fish]

Here is a picture of the units at the bow. Sorry that it’s upside down
83919BC7-5B5A-4997-AAB3-684C275CD104.jpeg

[countyrookie]