GPS MOUNTING

SHORT ARM WITH HIGH-TORQUE WRENCH RAM-D-115-C-KNOB9H $127.99; rammount.com

This is the most experienced company in adjustable electronics mounts. Ram Mounts has been making them for law enforcement, military, rescue, aviation and marine use for decades. The powder-coated aluminum design features a ball and socket at both the boat’s and device’s end mounting plates.

HOW IT WORKS:

The ball-mount system is similar to the ball mount on a tripod. Loosen a single clamping bolt on the center of the arm to adjust the base plate and electronics plates in an infinite number of angles. The cast-aluminum ball has a hardened rubber coating to absorb the shock of boating through chop and seas. The ball might have a mounting plate to affix to a dash or bulkhead, and a second ball plate that accepts the gimbal mount for the device.

WE LIKE:

The device is infinitely adjustable. Longer arms are available, and more than one arm can be joined with a double ball joint to wrap the gimbal mount around a corner. The high-torque wrench included ($24.49 when sold separately) has an adjustable lever to offer optimum leverage on the jam nut for a solid hookup—a particularly helpful device in cold weather when the rubber is harder.

ACHILLES’ HEEL:

The device is tricky to adjust without help because loosening the jam nut loosens both the base ball and the gimbal ball, making the mount wiggle like a rubber worm. Gripping the ball you don’t want to adjust can add enough friction to hold it while you adjust and tighten the other.

MOUNTING TIPS: Use 5/16-inch throughbolts with fender washers under Nyloc nuts. For an uneven surface, such as a curved console of a deck boat, use rubber washers to fill gaps.

HEIGHT: 7.325 in. GIMBAL PLATE: 6.25-by-2 in. BASE PLATE: 3.6 in. BALL SIZE DIAMETER: 2.25 in. WEIGHT: 2.88 lb. CAPACITY: 6 lb. GIMBAL PLATE: Universal