Tablet or Handheld GPS Sliding Around the Saloon? Print a Tilting Wall Holder

Anyone who has used a tablet as a backup chart plotter knows the routine: it sits on the saloon table, a wake rolls through, and it slides into the sink. Phones, handheld Garmin units, VHF remotes and multitools have the same habit. A fixed, protected spot for each of them solves the problem, and since every device has different dimensions, a holder printed to size beats a one-size-fits-nobody commercial mount.

Why a printed holder works here

Commercial cradles are made for one device model, and they are usually sold in the size of last year's tablet. A parametric holder lets you type in the internal height, width and depth of your own device (plus a case, if you use one) and get a box that fits. Nothing here is under pressure or below the waterline, which makes it a good first or second print: low risk, immediately useful. If you are new to printing for the boat, our guide to cockpit and helm accessories covers the wider picture.

The kit: what you get

The Wall Mount Device Holder is a three-part kit:

• Wall plate with a central M10 female thread, fixed to the bulkhead.
• Box/cradle that holds the device, with parametric internal height, width and depth.
• M10 nut that locks the joint once you pick the angle.

The box screws onto the plate through the M10 joint, so you can rotate it sideways to the viewing angle you want and lock it with the nut. The plate has a vertical slot for height adjustment and a horizontal slot for left/right adjustment, both countersunk so screw heads sit flush, and the back is flat for full contact with the wall.

Measure before you configure

Take these measurements with calipers or a ruler, and add a millimetre or two of clearance:

• Height, width and depth of the device, including any case or protective sleeve.
• Front-wall drop: how far you want the front lowered. The front can be dropped by any amount, even fully, so you can see and touch the screen.
• Cable needs: the bottom has a 16 x 12 mm opening for a charging cable or connector, and two side openings for cable routing and ventilation.

The top is open, so the device simply drops in. Check that your charging plug fits the 16 x 12 mm bottom opening before printing; very large right-angle connectors may not.

Material and print settings

For a cockpit or any spot with sun and heat, print in PETG or ASA; ASA has the best UV and heat resistance. Inside a cabin, PETG is plenty. Our materials comparison explains the trade-offs. The recommended settings are 0.2 mm layers, 3-4 perimeters and 30-40% infill. The M10 threads are printed ready to use, so print the plate and nut in the orientation that keeps the threads clean, and test-spin the nut before you install anything.

Installing it on the bulkhead

1. Choose the spot: within reach, out of the way of doors and hatches, and with a charging point nearby.
2. Hold the plate in place and mark through the slots. The slots let you shift the plate a little after the first screws are in.
3. Fix with countersunk screws suited to the bulkhead material. In thin panels, use a backing plate or a through-bolt rather than a bare wood screw. See our guide to heat-set inserts and marine hardware for fasteners.
4. Screw the box onto the plate, rotate it to the angle you like, and tighten the M10 nut to lock it.

If you would rather not drill at all, read drill-free mounting, or choose a different base for the same idea.

Related holders for other spots

• The Tube/Rail Mount Device Holder clamps to a rail or tube instead of a wall.
• The Adhesive Device Holder suits surfaces where you do not want to drill.

You can browse more in the Navigation & Electronics collection.

Tips from use

• Print a quick low-infill test box first to confirm the fit, then print the final one.
• Leave the side openings clear: they let heat out while a device charges.
• Handhelds and multitools fit too: set the box to their dimensions, and use the same wall holder for VHF remotes, torches and action cameras.

Safety note

Printed parts are not certified marine equipment. Check the material and suitability for your use before you rely on them, especially anything below the waterline or in a critical application. A device holder should never be the only thing keeping an essential navigation device in place: keep paper charts or a second means of navigation available, and make sure a loose device cannot fall on a person in a seaway.

Questions about sizing or a custom variant? Write to us at info@marinelab3d.com.