jjcanoe Posted August 9, 2015 Report Share Posted August 9, 2015 So I am pimping out the new Crestliner and am wondering if I need a backing plate under the dash for my Ram mount. Typical fiberglass dashboard and I'm installing a Lowrance Elite 7. Is it OK to just drill the holes and regular old SS bolt and washer combo or do I need some extra strength back there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porkpie Posted August 9, 2015 Report Share Posted August 9, 2015 (edited) I have a 7 inch sonar mounted with the larger ram ball mount. All I have are stainless steel washers back there. No problems. Edited August 9, 2015 by porkpie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerritt Posted August 9, 2015 Report Share Posted August 9, 2015 It wouldn't hurt to add a chunk of 1/2-5/8 ply under the dash and bolt through it... Would probably help prevent flexing and possible spider cracking of the gel coat etc in rough weather. It's added insurance for a chunk of scrap wood. My opinion anyways. G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 tone z71 Posted August 9, 2015 Report Share Posted August 9, 2015 It wouldn't hurt to add a chunk of 1/2-5/8 ply under the dash and bolt through it... Would probably help prevent flexing and possible spider cracking of the gel coat etc in rough weather. It's added insurance for a chunk of scrap wood. My opinion anyways. G ....agreed esp with the quality in these hulls nowadays Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjcanoe Posted August 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2015 So 2-1 for backing! I've got plenty of old wood lying around so going to get out the saw... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 tone z71 Posted August 9, 2015 Report Share Posted August 9, 2015 Piece of starboard or big fender washers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan668 Posted August 9, 2015 Report Share Posted August 9, 2015 Cutting board for backing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garnet Posted August 9, 2015 Report Share Posted August 9, 2015 It would be how extreme conditions you will face. Eire and St Clair I would be putting the backing on. Larger size stainless steel bolts and nuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan668 Posted August 9, 2015 Report Share Posted August 9, 2015 I wouldnt even go as far as saying extreme conditions, both my consoles on my newer lund cracked and were replaced under warranty, one was untouched, the other cracked far away from the mount. Could have been the cold, but for safe measures id highly recommend some sort of backing that doesnt rot. Quality on most boats just isnt there anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjcanoe Posted August 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2015 Mostly going to be smaller lakes but the odd trip to Erie BoQ etc. Best to be on the safe side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sauce Posted August 10, 2015 Report Share Posted August 10, 2015 Grab some 1/8 x 2" aluminum from princess auto or Canadian tire. It comes in 3 foot lengths. Easy to drill through and cut with a hacksaw. Works great as backing and won't rot. Add stainless hardware and a couple drops of loktite and you will have a permanent mount that won't budge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wormdunker Posted August 10, 2015 Report Share Posted August 10, 2015 I'm with sauce. Use a piece of aluminum for backing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister G Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 I had used backing on my old boat (30 years) and it was just 1/4" underlayment so don't fret on what you use.....it never rotted or even looked used when I stripped the depth finder/GPS and VHF radio off this past May.....it was a open boat with a side console with a small windshield.....so whatever you got laying around will work just fine......it's really completely protected under there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 I used a big square chunk of 3/4in marine plywood when installing the ram mount on the Lund. Hasn't ripped off yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjcanoe Posted August 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Thanks for all the input, I went with a 1/2" piece of PT plywood. Seems pretty sturdy to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KraTToR Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 A bit more effort that you'll never regret. Spreading the load over a larger area is never a bad thing. It may save your console in the unlikely event of an accident as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtracc Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 I have a 2012 crestliner fish hawk with 2 rams on the dash. A 5 and a 7 inch unit. The newer crestliners have a reinforced dash. All I did was add extra large washers. Solid as a rock. Accually, the ram up front mounded on the deck came loosed before the one on the dash, so did on of my tm bolts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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