Non Permanent Mount fir GPS or Cell Phone

Advice
#1

Does anyone have any recommendations on a good way to mount your phone or GPS to the deck of your boat so that you can see it while paddling without having to screw something into your hull? I’m thinking of something like a suction cup mount

I would like to be able to mount something so that I can watch my speed and or see the map while paddling. I would think this would be easy to find online but so far that does not seem to be the case

Thanks
Matt

#2

I’ve wondered the same thing @bowler1 - I might have even asked about it here a while ago. For me, the thing that makes it incredibly difficult is that I’ve got to keep the deck of my kayak clear for at least 24-30" in front of my cockpit because when I paddle, my paddle shaft and hands pass low, skimming right across the deck—so anything attached there would get ripped right off the deck!

#3

As far as phones, keep in mind that Apple and Samsung phones are not covered for water damage, even though they may be IPX67 or 68 rated. It’s in the fine print of the warranty coverage. Many People have found this out the hard way.

1 Like
#4

Depending on the GPS unit, Garmin has dozens of mounts, a number of which could be bungeed to the deck. I wouldn’t trust just a suction cup mount. We’ve had these mounts come loose in our car when the suction cup drys out.

#5

What type of boat?

Suction cups definitely don’t hold on to rotor molded plastic boats.

#6

I can see my phone OK for occasional speed checks etc. in a SealLine case held in place by the deck bungees (and a safety tether on it which I’ve fortunately never needed). It’s on my agenda to sculpt a foam base to tilt it up a little bit to make it easier to see; I’ll post it here when I do.

There are various solutions for surfskis meant to be clipped on to the pedals etc. Those don’t seem quite appropriate for a sea kayak, though.

Also, Fat Gecko suction cups do work really well in my experiments of using them for nav lights, although I would’t trust any sort of phone mount that you’d screw onto that. A phone flat against the deck under the bungees seems much safer to me.