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Ram Ball Mount - Do they hold?
#11562811
04/25/16 12:05 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 137
Wormin
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 137 |
I am in the market for a mount for my new Lowrance HDS3. I have read that Ram ball mounts do not hold in rough water. Have any of you experienced problems or successes with Ram ball mounts?
Thanks
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Re: Ram Ball Mount - Do they hold?
[Re: Wormin]
#11562820
04/25/16 12:11 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,687
44 Diesel
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,687 |
depends on where you are gonna mount the unit. I wouldn't use a ball mount on the bow with any unit with 10" screen or bigger. If you are gonna put it on the console I would use the 2.25 ball with the short arm or the swing arm mount.
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Re: Ram Ball Mount - Do they hold?
[Re: Wormin]
#11562857
04/25/16 12:36 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724
Flippin-Out
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724 |
Wow, Lowrance is down to a 3 inch screen now? Not sure what size HDS you have, but I agree having a large screen at the bow on a ball mount can be challenging if you run rough water hard. I do have a 9 Touch on a D ball at the bow, but I readjust it to lay flat on the deck if I think the ride will be rough. It seems to hold fine like that ("D" size mount, which is 2.25"). RAM also has an even larger E size, but I don't recall the diameter.
I did not care for the type that is just a flat bridge over the TM pedal tray because those only aim the unit directly to the rear of the boat. While I put a foot on the TM pedal as needed, I'm actually standing to one side or the other a lot, and want the screen rotated so that I can easily see it as I fish.
E-locks can slow down theft to an extent, but remember that you need to through-bolt whatever base you use, or a thief can easily take the unit with the mount attached by unscrewing the base from the boat in seconds if you don't through-bolt it. (Use stainless nylon lock-nuts.) Mine is now more secure than many flush-mount installations as those often have only 4 sheet metal screws holding them in place.
Last edited by Flippin-Out; 04/25/16 12:38 AM.
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Re: Ram Ball Mount - Do they hold?
[Re: Wormin]
#11562866
04/25/16 12:41 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 5,243
kennerdude
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 5,243 |
Yes they hold. I've never had a prob on rough H20 on Ivie or Buchanan.
NIL CARBORUNDUM
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Re: Ram Ball Mount - Do they hold?
[Re: Wormin]
#11562882
04/25/16 12:52 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 137
Wormin
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 137 |
Thanks for the replies, keep them coming. To clarify a little, I am putting a Hds-9 on the console. I would need the medium shaft length.
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Re: Ram Ball Mount - Do they hold?
[Re: Wormin]
#11563310
04/25/16 07:47 AM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 6,127
fitter2259
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 6,127 |
The 2 1/4 mount will hold up to 10" fine, just fold it down while running and pull your units off while trailering. You can get as much or more wear put on the balls by trailering as on the water.
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Re: Ram Ball Mount - Do they hold?
[Re: Wormin]
#11563417
04/25/16 11:52 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724
Flippin-Out
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724 |
You won't have any issue with a HDS 9 at the console on a D size ball. As pointed out, the joints do wear over time, and removing that unit during trailering can extend their life considerably. Units mounted to the side of the console are also exposed to road hazards. (On a related note, I learned that Power-Pole covers aren't just for show - they help stop road vibration wiggle of the PP that can add considerable wear & tear to the bushings/joints.)
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Re: Ram Ball Mount - Do they hold?
[Re: Wormin]
#11564638
04/25/16 09:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 161
jnogreen
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 161 |
My HDS 7 is on a Ram mount and in rough water it will drop down and I will have to readjust it but were talking 3' waves whitecaps with wake boat action in which I will slow down to keep my back from .... and my balls.... Other than that it holds really well even after 4 years.
Fishing is....
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Re: Ram Ball Mount - Do they hold?
[Re: jnogreen]
#11565553
04/26/16 03:21 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 16,147
grout-scout
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 16,147 |
My HDS 7 is on a Ram mount and in rough water it will drop down and I will have to readjust it but were talking 3' waves whitecaps with wake boat action in which I will slow down to keep my back from .... and my balls.... Other than that it holds really well even after 4 years. Must have been on Canyon. I have the big ram, short arm model attached to a hds12. It holds fine after I put the hurt to it while tightening it down. I'm not in love with it; but it does the job.
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Re: Ram Ball Mount - Do they hold?
[Re: Wormin]
#11566044
04/26/16 02:08 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 979
Transplant
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 979 |
Mine have done a GREAT job. Garmin 7608 up front and 70s at console!
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