Any experienced angler who has switched from shore fishing to using a boat sooner or later faces the problem of placing navigation equipment. Table under the sonar in the PVC boat It becomes not just a convenience, but a necessity, when hands must be free to control the engine or catch a trophy. The absence of a stationary platform often leads to chaotic scattering of gadgets on the sides, which can lead to the loss of expensive electronics in a sharp maneuver or a gust of wind.
Water and electronics are dangerous neighborhoods that require a smart engineering approach. Simply gluing the holder to the cylinder can deform the material as the temperature changes, and trying to attach the device to the lap limits the mobility of the fisherman, which is why building or buying a specialized console is a key step in tuning, affecting overall comfort and safety on the water.
There are many ways to do this, from factory aluminum designs to homemade plywood and composites. The choice of the type depends on the boat model, the fishing method and the owner's budget. It's important to understand that a properly designed platform not only holds the screen, but also hides wires, batteries and switching units, turning the cockpit into an organized workspace.
Requirements for platform construction and materials
The first thing to consider when designing or choosing a table is the weight and resistance to an aggressive environment. Sea plywood The 10-12 mm thickness remains a classic but heavy solution that can eventually dissipate when in constant contact with moisture. fiberglass Or, they are stainless, and they are very strong, with a minimum weight.
The design should withstand the vibrations that occur when the outboard motor is running, and not create sailing when driving against the wind. If you plan to install large-sized cartplotters with a screen diagonal of 7 inches, you need to provide a reinforced base. Lightweight plastic brackets in this case will not work — you need a metal frame made of stainless steel or anodized aluminum.
⚠️ Attention! The use of ferrous metals without high-quality anti-corrosion coating in salt water will lead to rapid rusting of the structure and the appearance of leaks on the cylinders of the boat.
The dimensions of the work surface should allow not only the display to be placed, but also additional accessories: a downrigger, a second battery or a drawer with baits. Too narrow a table will turn into an uncomfortable shelf on which it will be impossible to turn around. The optimal width varies from 30 to 50 cm depending on the width of the transom of your boat.
When choosing material for a table, give preference to dark matte shades - they do not shine in the sun and heat less, which prolongs the life of electronics.
Methods of attachment to the elements of the boat
Installation of equipment in an inflatable boat always involves the risk of damage to cylinders, so the methods of fixation should be as gentle as possible. coatboardIt's a table that's inserted into pockets or straped onto the transom part, and it's already mounted on the table, so you can spread the load and avoid point pressure on the PVC.
Sling and fastex systems are used for boats without a hard transom or for the installation of additional equipment in the bow. Adjustable belts They allow the platform to be tightly fixed between the sides, but require periodic lifts, because the fabric has the property of stretching under load. The alternative is large-diameter suction cups, but their reliability at high speed is questioned by many water engines.
- 🔩 transom bracket: rigid fixation to a wooden board, ideal for heavy motors and sonars.
- 🎒 Sling system: universal method, does not require drilling, but can be displaced by sharp jerks.
- 🧲 Magnetic holders: Suitable only for boats with metal elements, in PVC almost not used.
It is important to ensure that the structure can be dismantled quickly, and if needed to leave the boat urgently or when transporting in a folded form, the table should be removed in a couple of minutes without using special tools. The ideal solution is a modular system, where the base remains on the boat, and the console with the device is unfastened.
Ergonomics of placement and screen visibility
The location of the sonar should provide a comfortable view of the screen in all light conditions. Sun glare can completely neutralize the advantages of even the most expensive display, so the angle of inclination should be adjusted. Turning bracket with fixing the position - a mandatory element of the design, allowing you to change the angle depending on the position of the sun and the height of the operator.
The height of the installation is also critical: too low a position causes slouching, which leads to fatigue of the back when fishing for long periods of time; too high a position that blocks the view of the water surface in front of the course, which is dangerous when maneuvering in reeds or among driftwoods; the optimal position is at the chest level of a sitting angler.
And don't forget to protect against splashes. Even in calm weather, oncoming airflow can carry water droplets that distort the image when they get on the screen. Some fishermen put a small transparent Plexiglas visor over the device, which effectively solves this problem without disturbing the view.
Why is the angle of view important?
The angle of view of LCD and OLED arrays differs. If the sounder is set perpendicular to the view, the colors can invert or dim. The tilt adjustment allows you to find the "middle ground" for a particular display model.
Electricity and switching organization
A well-designed echo sounder table in a PVC boat should hide all the wiring. Hanging wires are not only ugly, but also unsafe: they are easy to hook with a tackle or damage with a sharp object. Cables should be laid inside hollow structural elements or in special cable channels attached to the inside of the platform.
The equipment needs a reliable power supply, and the use of a regular outboard motor battery for sonar is possible, but not always desirable, especially if the engine does not start. tractor deep discharge, which is placed in a sealed box under or next to the table.
| Type of cable | Section, mm2 | Appointment | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper-coated | 1.5 - 2.5 | Earrow feeding | Flexible, vibration resistant |
| Coaxial | RG-58 | GPS takeaway | Screened, minimizes interference |
| Silicone | 4.0 | ABC power. | Frost-resistant, withstands large currents |
All joints should be carefully insulated and protected from moisture, it is recommended to use shrink tubes with adhesive layer and special sea connectors that do not oxidize over time. Open twist Even with the insulation in conditions of constant humidity, it will not live long.
☑️ Electrical system inspection
Refinement and additional functions
The modern fishing table is a multifunctional hub, not just a stand, and often integrates USB sockets to charge smartphones, LED lights for night fishing and glass mounts, all of which greatly enhance comfort levels, making the water more enjoyable.
To protect equipment in bad weather or when leaving the boat unattended, you can provide a removable cover made of waterproof fabric, and a useful feature will be the ability to install additional equipment: a radar arc, spinning holders or even a small tablet for the use of navigation charts.
⚠️ Attention! When installing additional energy users, make sure that the wire cross-section corresponds to the total current load, otherwise insulation may melt and ignite.
Some craftsmen have built little compartments into the design of the table, such as spare hooks, cargo, tools, so you can keep everything you need at hand without cluttering the bottom of the boat with extra drawers, and the main thing is not to overload the structure, so as not to disturb the balance of the boat.
The versatility of the table increases comfort, but requires careful weight calculation so as not to overload the transom or bottom of the PVC boat.
Homemade table against factory solution
The market offers many ready-made solutions from well-known brands, such as: Attwood, Ram Mounts Factory products usually have a well-calibrated ergonomics, quality materials and warranty, but their cost can be comparable to the cost of the sonar itself, making it inappropriate for budget boats.
The homemade version allows you to take into account all the individual specifications of your boat and the specific requirements of fishing. Using the available materials and tools, you can create a unique design that will last for years, and it is much easier to repair a homemade in the field than to restore a complex plastic shape.
- 💰 Savings: The cost of materials for homemade 3-5 times lower than the purchased analogue.
- 🛠️ Flexibility: the ability to change the design in the manufacturing process to meet specific needs.
- ⏳ Time: Manufacturing takes time and skill, whereas the factory solution is ready to be installed immediately.
If you don't have the tools or you're not confident in your abilities, you'd better choose a proven factory solution. A mistake in calculating the strength of a homemade design can cost you expensive equipment. In any case, weigh the pros and cons before you start.
Where do I get the blueprints?
Drawings can be found on fishing forums, social media groups, or developed independently in simple CAD programs like Kompass-3D or even SketchUp.
What is the maximum weight of the suction table?
Quality industrial suction cups with a diameter of 80-100 mm can hold loads up to 5-7 kg on a smooth surface. However, on soft PVC tubes their reliability is sharply reduced due to surface deformation. For heavy appliances (more than 1 kg), suction cups are not recommended.
Can I attach the table directly to the floorboard (floor)?
floorboard attachment is possible if it's made of aluminum or hard plywood, but this limits the ability to roll the boat up without dismantling the structure, and vibration from the motor is transmitted to the floor, which can adversely affect the operation of sensitive electronics.
How do you protect the sonar from theft?
Use quick-removal brackets with a secret mechanism or an additional locking bolt. At night, it is better to remove and carry the device with you, leaving only the mount base on the boat, which is of no value to thieves.
Do I need to ground a metal table?
In the context of an inflatable boat, the concept of grounding does not apply in the classical sense, since the boat is insulated from the ground by water, but it is important to connect all the metal parts of the structure to each other to avoid galvanic corrosion (if a heterogeneous metal is used) and static electricity.
Does the table material affect the GPS?
Yes, it does. Metal structures placed above the GPS antenna can shield the signal or create multipaths, which impairs positioning accuracy, and the antenna must be carried above any metal obstacles, ideally on a separate bracket.