Has anyone done or thought about a BoatPC??

**carpcnoobie** · 09-10-2005, 11:46 PM

I just read a few threads that a BoatPC was mentioned, but I haven't seen too much on this topic. I don't have a boat yet, but I was in my friends boat the other day and thinking of how possible this could be.

Naturally, there's the scare of electronics and water don't mix... so I was thinking of how the electronics could be protected.

I was thinking if this could be placed on a boat and have the ability to be quickly removed when not in-use (for theft and protection from elements when boat is stored). I was thinking a laptop with a docking station would probably be good for quick disconnect. Naturally, I was thinking of using GPS navigation. From the threads I've read, navigation software is expensive. Anybody have ideas on that?

Of course, this PC would be used for music and movies, like the carpc. Actually, movies could be used far more then in a car. The children could watch movies, could be entertainment when staying on the boat overnight, etc. Anybody else have ideas that a BoatPC could be used for?

Thanks for all the input and comments.

**0l33l** · 09-10-2005, 11:52 PM

What kind of boat is it? Like a yaht?

**carpcnoobie** · 09-11-2005, 12:14 AM

The boat is similar to the boat I'm planning on getting, a 23 foot bowrider. So, not all the room in the world. Capable of carrying 16 passengers. Could also be a cuddy.

**0l33l** · 09-11-2005, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by carpcnoobie

The boat is similar to the boat I'm planning on getting, a 23 foot bowrider. So, not all the room in the world. Capable of carrying 16 passengers. Could also be a cuddy.

You'd probably be able to mount the laptop were the life jackets are (inside the seat?).
As for a monitor... that's a tough one. I'd get a 7" non TS LCD, and get a mouse and keybaord for it. Then mount the LCD behind a peice of lexan and make that waterproof.

**xBrady** · 09-11-2005, 12:24 AM

Sounds like a cool idea to me. If I had money I'd do it. If you put the computer in some type of watertight casing and bolted it to your boat you probably wouldn't have to worry about removing it when you leave the boat. Just make sure it blends in with the boat (or a hard to find place). Keep us posted if you go through with this.

**carpcnoobie** · 09-11-2005, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by 0l33l

You'd probably be able to mount the laptop were the life jackets are (inside the seat?).
As for a monitor... that's a tough one. I'd get a 7" non TS LCD, and get a mouse and keybaord for it. Then mount the LCD behind a peice of lexan and make that waterproof.

Thanks.. that's what I was drawing in my head. There's some space in a compartment behind the steering wheel (where the life-jackets are kept). Since a boat is typcially noisy, I was thinking of running a fan for the laptop, if necessary. Shouldn't be a problem with noise, seeing how noisy a boat can be anyways. Also with a deep-cycle battery, the power consumption shouldn't be a problem.

I'm thinking of water protection techniques for the laptop and screen. I think the lexan in front of a normal screen would probably be good. Although I was thinking of possibly placing the screen behind a plastic lense and sealing the monitor in an enclosure.

Any ideas on other uses for a boat PC??

**Escalade182** · 09-11-2005, 01:24 AM

why the hell would you install a boatpc on a 23' bowrider?

**0l33l** · 09-11-2005, 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by Escalade182

why the hell would you install a boatpc on a 23' bowrider?

Why the hell would you install a carpc in a honduh?

**goosef350** · 09-11-2005, 01:27 AM

it sounds like a good idea, but you better have some reeeeaaallllllyyy good hardrive shock protection, or just solid state memory. I have a 1999 air nautique and with the ballist tanks and fat sacks full, the wake is huge. so even turning around is gonna send the boat up and then slamming back down. multiply that by 5 or 6 boats and some wind and you have some serious shock problems. as far as waterproofing goes, coat EVERYTHING electronic, and I mean everything, with vaseline or something similar. That **should** help protect it from moistuer and water once it is put in a waterproof housing. Trust me, nothing on a boat is waterproof, everything gets wet and seals get eaten away. so after you worry about making it "waterproof", you gotta have a really good cooling system. The outside temp can get to be 102 degrees, and even hotter in an enclosed area. lots of fans, and maybe even a watercooled sytem to keep everything from overheating would be a necesity. But once you start adding fans, you take away from the water proof housing... It's a great idea, but you will be faced with some unique challenges.