Will my GPS survive in the boat all year

[mako172]

I'm about to mount a Lowrance HDS series fishfinder/chartplotter and I'm trying to determine whether I should mount it on the factory swivel mount or cut a hole and mount it in the console. The boat will remain covered but I live in VA and we have freezing temps and the cover is no match for the rain from a nor'easter. If it is is on the swivel mount, it is easy to remove when the boat is at the house but the console mount looks slick. This thing wasn't cheap so I'm looking for advice from people in the know.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Will my GPS survive in the boat all year

i disconect mine & store it below when not used on a daily basis but mainly bcuz do not want somebody to swipe it.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Will my GPS survive in the boat all year

be sure to have a cover for the face of the unit, and be sure to seal the hole where you mount it, all around. That's what I did with my FF/GPS and I keep a cover over the console, that's all. 1 year for me; don't know how long with my previous owner but he removed it. he said.

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Will my GPS survive in the boat all year

If it can't survive the marine environment it wasn't made for boats. Check the specs of the unit, it's it waterproof, temperature range etc..

Theft is a different story.

 

[izoomie]

Re: Will my GPS survive in the boat all year

I think it depends where you are. In the north here, I have seen lots of boats with expensive GPS and Radios that are all fogged up. I suspect they were left to freeze uncovered.

I leave my electronics in the boat during the season, and pull them all out and store them in the house when I winterize.

Cheap insurance.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Will my GPS survive in the boat all year

I leave mine in all year round but I have a hardtop with a full enclosure. IF you don't have any protection I'd take it out and take it in the house for the winter.

FWIW: My Garmin is good to -40F. Don't have to worry about it in this neck of the woods.

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Will my GPS survive in the boat all year

My GPS is bracket mounted so I take it off and put it in a dry box whenever I put the boat on the trailer. It's almost 11 years old. I'll never get that new GPS that I want if I don't change my habits!

(BUT, if I do get a new GPS, I'll probably spend a fortune and therefore will take care of it the exact same way.)

 

[Boatist]

Re: Will my GPS survive in the boat all year

I take all my electronics in every day. My boat sits on the trailer in my back yard under a dark blue SunBrella cover. I put a recording thermometer in My boat and in the Summer it will get 140 degrees inside the boat every day. It may survive for a while but that type of heat is hard on electronics. Thing like capacitors may be damaged. In my opinion if it does not get stolen the summer heat will shorten it life.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Will my GPS survive in the boat all year

I put a recording thermometer in My boat and in the Summer it will get 140 degrees inside the boat every day. It may survive for a while but that type of heat is hard on electronics. Thing like capacitors may be damaged. .

While heat degradation certainly was a concern 5-10 years ago, most modern day electronics now have operational specifications pushing 60 C (140 F). Storage temperatures are higher yet.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Will my GPS survive in the boat all year

While heat degradation certainly was a concern 5-10 years ago, most modern day electronics now have operational specifications pushing 60 C (140 F). Storage temperatures are higher yet.

yes but just because you can drive at the edge of a cliff does not mean you should.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Will my GPS survive in the boat all year

yes but just because you can drive at the edge of a cliff does not mean you should.

Great quote !!!