Mounting Hardware on binnacle

[Lance Jones]

I'm getting ready to mount my Garmin 431 Mini Chart Plotter on my binnacle. What is the best way to route the wires for this? I'm planning on just drilling a hole in the binnacle and dropping them down into the aft cabin where I have my power source.

[Ken Juul]

Your plan will work.  Remember you have the steering chain that moves up and down.  It runs in the forward half of the binnacle.  Front center, or side-aft of center, are the best locations.  Try to keep slack wire inside the binnacle to a minimum.

[Lance Jones]

Thanks Ken!

[BillG]

On my 87 I drilled a hole in the stainless steel pedestal and ran my wire thru them.  There was already a hole in the floor of the cockpit where the pedestal is attached and I don't remember there being any problem with interference in the steering cables.

[Lance Jones]

Thanks all! Project was a success. There is a backing plate under my pedestal that has a few holes for the throttle, shift lever and steering pulley and cables. There was one small space that the auto pilot cable ran so, I snaked it through there. Thanks again for all of the advice.