Has anyone mounted a multi-function nav system such a Raymarine eS127 on a W32?  And any advice a Raymarine vs. others?  

I hope to try a trans-Atlantic passage next summer and am trying to figure out how to mount a 12 inch system without cutting into the cabin. Perhaps a RAM swing arm?

John I use a ram mount on the inside right side of my companionway and love it. Most of the time i have the 2 section arm up and out but when it rains i can swing it back inside. Now I chose a 7 inch display to conserve power and keep the weight down for the arms and I think that is all you need. Good luck. 

I can't recommend Navman-Northstar - as they have been sold numerous times - but I do like this Ram mount for Pygmalion. 

Ignore the hanging wire -- I think the pic was taken during installation.. or ? 

John:

Here are a couple of other items; I though were important during my sailing.

1.) The swingarm in the companionway was very very nice!

2.) the swingarm was mounted so the unit could be observed through an acrylic one piece weatherboard (hatch and acrylic closed for rough weather) but you could still see the display (but not adjust it, as it was behind the glass) please note a 27" screen is to big to do this with.  should be 19" or smaller.

3.) What ever unit you get, be sure it has the ability to turn sensors off (power wise) like the radar dome on a clear sunny day, or the sounder when miles off shore. etc. etc.  (also the lowest power consumption is really a great goal)

4.) I have an old Raymarine c70 radar/gps/ploter  =  ok +/- about 1.4 Amps radar OFF and 2.8 with radar +/-

5.) If you can; have the parts easily removable. (to be put into the oven in an electrical storm)

The direction I am going: small PC https://www.amazon.com/fitlet-fit-PC4-CG424-WACB-FM4U-BFLT-Compulab-fitlet-T-Barebone/dp/B019V1ZLH0 & https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007B5S52C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 & https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RQA6GF0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Note: this is not water tight

Uses about 0.2 to 0.4 Amp @12V = 2.5 Watt +/-  Note if they offer a 4g cell card You may want another Hard drive? also heavy graphics will add to the power usage i.e. movie transcription etc.

I added a USB gps  0.1Amp @12V = 0.75 to 1.0 Watt +/- when on https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I3IQ780/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 & https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003806LU2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 can be turned on/off of in software, also can be used as a tape measure, I can see when I move the boat inches = just amazing!!!

Then using whatever screen you want, or not = wifi ( I went a little big at 27" and 2.4Amps when on) ASUS MX279H  it is great for movies!

If looking for radar Look to OPENCPN and the ones it works with (My ray marine is not ported yet:( You may want to see what is happening for the new wifi domes?

For the sounder I am still looking to have one which I can interface with the computer. but this is not a big deal off shore, but useful on rivers. (still looking) I have a standalone datamarine 2000 just not nema out:(

Also I would love to have https://www.amazon.com/Standard-Horizon-GX2200B-Matrix-Black/dp/B00IASRVWY/ref=sr_1_5?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1478843297&sr=1-5&keywords=Standard%2BHorizon For the AIS,  GPS  + radio all in one can be displayed on OpenCPN

Also I would like to have http://www.fondriest.com/airmar-150wx-ultrasonic-weatherstation-instrument.htm

For for the wind, GPS, weather and for ploting the polars for the boat. Can be displayed on OpenCPN

Software wise I am using

Linux Mint18.1 Free (please donate when extra $ are available)

WX tides   Free (please donate when extra $ are available)

Wxtoimg   Free ( I paid for the upgrade)

OpenCPN  Free with all the free charts (please donate when extra$ are available)

In the end, I like my old raymarine but the charts are to much $$$ and are not very good (compared to the free ones)  Also a wifi tablet would connect to the above computer well and allow mobile display and control options.

Please Note: the above will take some work, but will totally (I mean totally eclipse "think NASA+" what is out there at % of the cost) But please note: big screens eat power.

Ed Reioux wrote:

Mount it on a swing arm. 

    Thanks for the suggestions.  After some diddlingly I decided to make a round plug of starboard to fit in my portlight on the right side of the companionway. This is removable and I will mount a ram arm on this plug and run the wires thru the plug. This puts the 12 inch display where I can see and operate it and allows me to put it inside when not in use.