Looking to spend more time on boat; what TV and mount do you recommend?

[Woodland Hills]

We have a Samsung in our salon and it is convenient to be able to use our iPhone to control Netflix, it is also a convenience to connect the TV directly to the boats WiFi network instead of streaming from the phone to the TV or using an HDMI cable. The TV in the stateroom is an older Samsung and it’s on the list to be upgraded as soon as we get to a Best Buy.

[bcboomer]

We put in a 43" Samsung Frame. It sits flat on the bulkhead, takes up no usable space.
The mast camera sounds like a great idea.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Hey guys!

I finally bit the bullet and got the TV for the boat. Now, I just need a mount and could use some tips on how to mount it so it doesn't rip out the bulkhead.

At home, it's easy... sheetrock and then just screw it into the beams. But, which mount do you recommend and how to install it so that it doesn't rip out a huge hole in the proverbial wall (bulkhead).

Thank you for any and all help!!

[Cool Hand Luke]

TO ADD...

The bulkhead is pretty thin and the head is right behind it (see layout):

[GreenWave]

I guess it won't fit on the other side (port)? That way you could have blocked it (a small cross board for strength) behind the wall where the blocking would be out of sight

[dfelsent]

As far as a TV aboard it’s not my thing.
I have a hard time in movie theaters too.
My first reaction is NOOO.
But phones are great for video.
And my wife is a TV watcher. Phone or laptop works for her.
I have a photo somewhere of two of the crew and her laughing and watching a movie in fairly rough weather (F7) in the Irish Sea in April. That’s awesome.
As far as content is concerned, I’m very clear that I read to escape. Sometimes what I sarcastically classify as trash. Entertaining trash that I pay for and I sincerely hope the authors make a good living off of.
Rarely is it what anyone would consider high class literature. (It’s actually not trash, and some is fantastically well written.)
When I watch TV it tends to be total escapism as well.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Originally Posted by GreenWave

I guess it won't fit on the other side (port)? That way you could have blocked it (a small cross board for strength) behind the wall where the blocking would be out of sight

Yeah... it won't fit on the port side. Unless I return this TV (which I wouldn't want to... it's the SAMSUNG Q60T Series 43-inch Class QLED Smart TV and it's one of the best ones out there in this size and price range). And then I'd have to get a smaller one.

Although if you look at the photo, there is a hole in the bulkhead for the cables on the port side. And, there are 4 tiny screw holes that were filled in by the previous owner. I guess that's where the previous owner had the TV.

Hmmmm... I really would like to keep this one and mount it on the starboard side, but if you guys don't recommend it then I'll go smaller and mount it on the port side. I can get to that bulkhead on the port side a lot more easily since there's a cabinet for clothes behind it.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Originally Posted by dfelsent

As far as a TV aboard it’s not my thing.

I was the same way for a long time... but it would be nice to put on a hockey game or even a cartoon for the kids whenever I'm on the boat.

Honestly... my goal is to have Navionics on it when under sail... I'm going to get a Raspberry Pi or even just cast the Navionics from the iPad onto the TV.

[LostDog88]

Originally Posted by hzcruiser

Not sure if that satisfies anyone's expectations; the specs mention a horrible:


Resolution (Pixels) - 854 x 480

Full Width (Actually Stretched) VGA as horrible?

I would say that this would be a pretty decent picture comparable to the worst monitor on a laptop. Which IMO is pretty damn decent for watching a football game.

IMO

[Cool Hand Luke]

Originally Posted by llvllagic_l3oy

Samsung TVs are the best in my opinion. As for the you just need to have a solid mount that supports the weight and VESA of your TV. The brand of the mounting bracket is not that important.

I agree... but how do I drill the holes, what kind of bolts do I need, and how do I make sure the weight of the TV will not rip out the mounting bracket from the bulkhead. That's my biggest concern.

I believe the TV is 27.5 lbs (about 12.5 kg).

[dfelsent]

One thing about a TV. it’s all about where you sit when you watch it. Angles. Distance. Etc.
Sort that out then figure out how to mount it.
As much as I’m not a TV watcher, we have a relatively large one in the house. That lets me watch without glasses when I do watch.
The ergonomics are actually quite important when you may be sitting for a few hours several days a week.
(I’m not anti TV, it’s just not my thing.)

[flightlead404]

Originally Posted by captmikem

I can also output the chart display to it but don't because the MFD is just as handy to look at.

M

I was about to ask about that. My plan was to mount a 12v "RV" tv near the nav station so that I can throw up OpenCPN or whatever on it, or spin it around and watch a movie.

Is that dual use feasible or are there gotchas I haven't thought of?

[FAST FRED]

"My plan was to mount a 12v "RV" tv"

Purchase an RV TV wall mount, some have a lock pin that will hold set in fixed position when not in use.

All modern TV require an amplified antenna ,also at the RV shop

[flightlead404]

Originally Posted by theDangerz

and the mount is just one more multiple metals and moving parts object never intended for this lifestyle/habitat that’s rusting out.

Since getting into 3d printing on a whim about 4 years ago, 3d printing has basically turned into my default approach.

Missing shelf pins from my 60 year old mid-century furniture? 3d print it!

Better option for relay base mounts for a my 40 year old sports car? 3d print it! (I've sold over 600 of these since and paid for the printer many times over)

A way to hold 4 ramekins in my slightly undersize steamer for poached eggs? 3d print it!

Need a tool to hold a straight edge to check cam sprocket parallelization on a Porsche long block rebuild.? Well you guess it.

The list goes on.

I was planning on designing and printing an all-plastic mount for the TV, there are some VERY strong (and UV resistant) plastics available.

But, its a lot of work and time to properly design something. Has anyone found an all-plastic mount that actually works well?

[Cool Hand Luke]

But once I have the mount... how do I make sure it can support the weight? Isn't the bulkhead (marine plywood?) really skinny and can't hold a lot of weight?