2010 MONTAUK 170 Console Cover Fit Over Radio Antenna

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Author Topic:   2010 MONTAUK 170 Console Cover Fit Over Radio Antenna

SteviLad posted 03-14-2011 10:31 AM ET (US)
On a 2010 Montauk 170 I want to interface a Raymarine A50D Chartplotter with a console mounted Ray 49 VHF radio. The radio installation and NMEA connections seem straightforward.
Re the maximum length antenna I can get by with, will a rail mount adjustable bracket with a 3-foot or 4-foot fiberglass or stainless steel antenna allow the console cover to be put on? I have the boat stored now, and I was considering ordering the antenna shortly to have everything ready to do the install this spring.
Any other better mounting suggestions? Thanks
wbullwin posted 03-14-2011 12:06 PM ET (US)
I have a 2003 170 Montauk that I purchased used in 2006. It already had the VHF radio and antenna mounted. The antenna is a SS about 3 or 4 foot long (from what I can remember from last year since it is still covered for the Winter) and it is mounted on the side of the handrail around the center console. I'm not sure if someone cut it shorter but with the racket type rail mount, it swings down and the tip reasts against the floor so the console cover can be put on and in the up position, the tip of it is just low enough to clear the underside of the bimini when it is up.
davej14 posted 03-14-2011 12:32 PM ET (US)
Here is a good place to start:
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VHFAntenna.html
In my case I used a stainless clamp mount to the starboard side of the console hand rail. I put a 1 foot stainless extension rod on the clamp to raise the GAM antenna(the stainless extension was much less costly than fiberglass). I rotate the antenna 120 degrees before covering the boat. With the Bimini up, the antenna passes just in front of the Bimini.
This works well for me, the only caution is that passengers tend to grab for the antenna extension when entering or leaving the boat. You need to warn them that it is not a hand grip.
jimh posted 03-14-2011 10:23 PM ET (US)
It is hard to say how the canvas cover for the console will fit around the antenna without seeing exactly what cover you have.
As mentioned, people will often grab onto an antenna mast as a hand hold if the antenna mast is located in a position where it naturally attracts people to grab onto it. The remedy to prevent this is to install the antenna mast in a location where people won't think it is a hand hold railing. This can be hard to do in a small boat, so you might as well count on someone trying to grab the antenna mast, no matter where it is located.
On aspect of an antenna such as the GAM ELECTRONICS SS-2 is that no one will mistake its small stainless steel whip for something they can hold onto as a railing.
On a small center console boat there are not too many great locations for the antenna base. If you are into fishing you won't want the radio antenna mast placed anywhere aft of the center console to avoid creating any interference with handling fishing lines. A radio mast mounted to the center console tends to interfere with any canvas tops like a flying top or a Bimini top or a sun top. A radio antenna mast that is forward of the console may be difficult to run a transmission line to in order to connect to the transmitter-receiver.
The stress on the antenna mast base requires a very strong mounting point, and preferably a mounting point where machine screws and a backing plate can be used.
I would tend to follow the recommendations from Boston Whaler for their factory-installed radio antenna.
davej14 posted 03-15-2011 01:26 PM ET (US)
I have a Mills console cover. I had it modified by a local canvas shop to add a cutout for the antenna and a zipper so the side of the cover can be opened for easy placement around the ratcheting base. After a few tows I had them add a 6" high flap with Velcro closure to help secure the zipper in the closed (down) position. Originally the wind buffeting the zipper at highway speeds would cause it to partially unzip. The addition of the flap solved that problem and now I am completely satisfied with the modification.
mtwilling posted 03-15-2011 09:57 PM ET (US)
I have a Mills console cover on a dauntless 16. I made a chalk mark on the inside of the cover at the point where the upright VHF antenna hit it. I then took the cover to a canvas shop and had a large gromett installed at the mark so the antenna could remain upright and pass through the grommet opening while the cover is on. This worked out great.

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Author	Topic: 2010 MONTAUK 170 Console Cover Fit Over Radio Antenna
SteviLad	posted 03-14-2011 10:31 AM ET (US) On a 2010 Montauk 170 I want to interface a Raymarine A50D Chartplotter with a console mounted Ray 49 VHF radio. The radio installation and NMEA connections seem straightforward. Re the maximum length antenna I can get by with, will a rail mount adjustable bracket with a 3-foot or 4-foot fiberglass or stainless steel antenna allow the console cover to be put on? I have the boat stored now, and I was considering ordering the antenna shortly to have everything ready to do the install this spring. Any other better mounting suggestions? Thanks
wbullwin	posted 03-14-2011 12:06 PM ET (US) I have a 2003 170 Montauk that I purchased used in 2006. It already had the VHF radio and antenna mounted. The antenna is a SS about 3 or 4 foot long (from what I can remember from last year since it is still covered for the Winter) and it is mounted on the side of the handrail around the center console. I'm not sure if someone cut it shorter but with the racket type rail mount, it swings down and the tip reasts against the floor so the console cover can be put on and in the up position, the tip of it is just low enough to clear the underside of the bimini when it is up.
davej14	posted 03-14-2011 12:32 PM ET (US) Here is a good place to start: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VHFAntenna.html In my case I used a stainless clamp mount to the starboard side of the console hand rail. I put a 1 foot stainless extension rod on the clamp to raise the GAM antenna(the stainless extension was much less costly than fiberglass). I rotate the antenna 120 degrees before covering the boat. With the Bimini up, the antenna passes just in front of the Bimini. This works well for me, the only caution is that passengers tend to grab for the antenna extension when entering or leaving the boat. You need to warn them that it is not a hand grip.
jimh	posted 03-14-2011 10:23 PM ET (US) It is hard to say how the canvas cover for the console will fit around the antenna without seeing exactly what cover you have. As mentioned, people will often grab onto an antenna mast as a hand hold if the antenna mast is located in a position where it naturally attracts people to grab onto it. The remedy to prevent this is to install the antenna mast in a location where people won't think it is a hand hold railing. This can be hard to do in a small boat, so you might as well count on someone trying to grab the antenna mast, no matter where it is located. On aspect of an antenna such as the GAM ELECTRONICS SS-2 is that no one will mistake its small stainless steel whip for something they can hold onto as a railing. On a small center console boat there are not too many great locations for the antenna base. If you are into fishing you won't want the radio antenna mast placed anywhere aft of the center console to avoid creating any interference with handling fishing lines. A radio mast mounted to the center console tends to interfere with any canvas tops like a flying top or a Bimini top or a sun top. A radio antenna mast that is forward of the console may be difficult to run a transmission line to in order to connect to the transmitter-receiver. The stress on the antenna mast base requires a very strong mounting point, and preferably a mounting point where machine screws and a backing plate can be used. I would tend to follow the recommendations from Boston Whaler for their factory-installed radio antenna.
davej14	posted 03-15-2011 01:26 PM ET (US) I have a Mills console cover. I had it modified by a local canvas shop to add a cutout for the antenna and a zipper so the side of the cover can be opened for easy placement around the ratcheting base. After a few tows I had them add a 6" high flap with Velcro closure to help secure the zipper in the closed (down) position. Originally the wind buffeting the zipper at highway speeds would cause it to partially unzip. The addition of the flap solved that problem and now I am completely satisfied with the modification.
mtwilling	posted 03-15-2011 09:57 PM ET (US) I have a Mills console cover on a dauntless 16. I made a chalk mark on the inside of the cover at the point where the upright VHF antenna hit it. I then took the cover to a canvas shop and had a large gromett installed at the mark so the antenna could remain upright and pass through the grommet opening while the cover is on. This worked out great.