I want to add a TV but I am not sure what type of mount I need. I have heard mixed reports on the department store mounts and that I may even need some custom mount.

I know where the department stores are but any idea on where I can get a custom mount?

You have seen this, but these mounts work well for many applications.


LevelMount ELDJ-07

A little more info would be helpful to ascertain your situation, like...
What size boat do you have?
Where do you want to mount the TV?
Why won't a "department store" mount work?
Do you want a permanent installation, or removable?
Do you need the mount to swivel? Articulate?
Do you want a flush mount?
What size TV are you planning on mounting?

As far as "custom mount" goes, their are dozens of different style mounts available in places other than department stores. A few years ago, the selection was not so varied as it is now. There is probably no need for a homeade/custom mount, depending on your specific application. What you need most likely IS available and at probably a cheaper cost than a custom made one.

Capn Morgan,

There is a TV mount conversation going on in another thread but I did not want to get lost in all the mothership ship.

In that thread it appears that one guy had to sell his boat because there is no TV mount available and now he is secretivley making his own. I may be wrong in that I am confused and it is heavy duty hardware to carry a boat he is discussing. Now that makes sense to me as to his new boat purchase. Never the less he is sure the one you are recommending is not worthy of such a task as mounting a TV.

If you think it will work. I would appreciate anyone who has any suggestions or comments as to the reliability of the department store mounts including the one Capn Morgan has shown.

Huh ?????

Good Luck.

I can't help with selection of a TV mount, but I can say that AL's comment about selling his Four Winns Vista because he did not like the factory installed TV mount was 'tongue in cheek'. I believe that his issue with that mount was that it would swing around when underway, not that it wouldn't support the TV. Anyway, he recently posted that he was looking for an excuse to buy a bigger boat. I'm sure the new mount that AL is developing will be a fine one. As I understand it, you need only wait until the magazine that he's going to submit his article to publishes it, then you can follow suite if you do not find any off the shelf supports acceptible.

Stephenmain, if you want to be sure about your mount pick a brand mount that meets your mounting needs and use the larger model/size. I used a fix mount omnimount for the 25" and up even though I mounted a 20" TV. I would consider that heavy duty for the application. You will also find that the articlating and swivel mounts are sized as well. You are definately making this too dificult.

I would indeed divulge the mount, but as Jim R states, its likely to be a magazine article, so I cannot publish the idea in any other venue. The mount I am using can be assembled from commercially available parts without the need for any custom fabrication.

On the one that the good Cap'n is recommending - I cannot say one way or the other because I have no experience with it, so I'll go with his judgement.

But, on my Four Winns, the mount was an articulated Omni-Mount, purchased in 2004. While it did support the TV, it was not adequate for the boat because it would swing around. So much so that I had to bungee cord it to keep it from movement.

Of course, this was 4 years ago, and I suppose there are a whole new crop of mounts out there.

But I will assure you, the mount I came up with is very rigid, without any worry about flopping around.

And yes, selling the boat because of the mount was indeed a joke.

But my goal in all of this is to be helpful to others, so I would like to let you in on the mount if we can find a way to protect my article. If you want to send me a private message, maybe I can enlist you as a "tester" to see if the mount is up to task. But I would want you to sign a non-disclosure agreement that you would not divulge the idea so that I can still write the magazine article.

That there is funny.

+1

Okay, if you want to flush mount the TV, or if you have a need to wall mount a flat screen at home, here is a homeade bracket that you can make for about $30.
Make a trip to Home Depot and pick up the following items:

One roll of Marine and Automotive Weather-strip tape. ¾ x ¼” Price: ~$2.98

One 40” Closetmaid Maximum Load Horizontal Wall Bracket Price: $10.97

One 40” Closetmaid Maximum Load Vertical Wall Bracket (shelf support) Price: $7.97


Four 4mm- 7 x 12mm Machine Screws (If you use the factory screws it will not reach when the weather-strip is there. The weather-strip gives you the ability to adjust how far the Vertical Bracket is from the TV, allowing you to slip the Vertical Bracket into the Horizontal Bracket.). Price: $1.44

Two grabber screws to mound into the studs. As large as you think is needed to hold the weight. My TV is only 33 pounds.

Hacksaw with metal cutting blade (or whatever you want to use to cut the bars to length and to cut a notch.

Stud Finder

Drill

Drill Bits

STEPS
- Cut the Horizontal Bracket a few inches smaller than the width of your TV.

- Cut the Vertical Brackets, measuring from the notched end, about 13 inches.

- Take the other piece of Vertical Bracket and cut a notch to match the factory notch of the first piece.

- Now cut the second piece to match the length of the first Vertical Bracket.

- Place each Vertical Bracket against the screw mount holes on the back of the TV and mark where you need to drill a small hole for the screws to fit.

- Place weather-strip on the side that will mount to the TV. This helps prevent scratching as well as acts as an adjustor.

- Place weather-strip on the “Fat” side of the wall-facing side of the Horizontal Bracket.

- Find the first stud and screw a large screw into the stud. Find the second stud (approx. 16 Inches to either side) and mark with a Sharpie where you need to drill a hole for the second stud screw.

- Drill the hole for the second screw, just larger than the screw.

- Place the Horizontal Bracket against the wall and mount with large grabber screws.

- Screw the Vertical Brackets onto the back of the TV and slide them under the lip of the Horizontal Bracket until it fits in the slot. Let it hang.

There you go…a mounted LCD or PLASMA TV for under $30. Sweet.
The mount is very thin. Actually closer to the wall than many mounts (Just over an inch from wall to TV back!!).



Also, check this site for a myriad of electronic gadgets, cables and TV mounts etc.
http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp

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Any pics of your project?

Yes, but they are on disk at home.

Brett DeMichelle, Is that you!!

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Well ya know...