Mounts & Housing Pods: Pod Type, Display Fit and Mounting Point
A pod is a housing that carries a chartplotter, a fishfinder or a set of instruments at the helm, on a rail, on a pedestal guard or on a mast. Choosing one comes down to three questions: what you are mounting (one display, a display plus instruments, or a radar or antenna), where it goes, and whether the cutout is made for your exact model. This page holds no products itself; the ten categories below do. Most pods here are NavPod; Scanstrut, Edson and Lewmar supply the rail, mast, tower and radar mounts.
Pod and Mount Categories
- SailPod: the large-face pod for a single big chartplotter, radar or multifunction display. Uncut NavPod SailPods list usable faces of 18.36 x 10.61 in., 15.18 x 9.85 in. and 12.75 x 8.75 in. for a 9.5 in. or 12 in. wide guard, and pre-cut versions exist for Raymarine, Garmin, Simrad and B&G models. See the uncut SailPod for a 12 in. guard.
- SystemPod: a chartplotter plus one or two instruments in one housing, pre-cut for models such as the Raymarine Axiom 9, Simrad NSS9 evo3, B&G Zeus3 and Furuno GP1871F, with the instruments alongside, or uncut faces of 15.0 x 6.0, 17.5 x 7.375 and 19.75 x 6.0 in. See the uncut SystemPod, 17.5 x 7.375 in..
- InstrumentPod: three-instrument housings for a 9.5 in. or 12 in. guard, pre-cut for three 3.6 in. holes or uncut (for example the uncut InstrumentPod for 3 instruments), plus Scanstrut single-instrument and compact pods on rails and arms.
- PowerPod: the single-display pod, uncut with an 8.75 x 6 in. usable face (uncut PowerPod) or pre-cut for models such as Garmin GPSMAP and Humminbird HELIX units, alongside Scanstrut Scanpod deck pods and PowerTower radar mounts.
- PedestalPod: pods for a steering pedestal, including the 70-degree Carbon Series in 12.75 x 8.75 in. and 18.36 x 10.61 in. usable faces, and Scanstrut helm pods for 9 in. and 10 to 12 in. displays.
- RailMount: NavPod rail mounts, Edson rail and radar-mast brackets for 1 in. rail, and Scanstrut ROKK rail mounts with phone and tablet clamps.
- MastPod System: a NavPod MastPod, Lewmar mast pods for four standard instruments or three or four maxi instruments, and Scanstrut mast mounts.
- Navcom Tower Mast: Edson tower masts in 7.5, 11.5 and 12 ft, in white powder coat or anodized aluminum (7.5 ft white), and Scanstrut tapered masts for radar domes and Starlink.
- Stanchion Mount Kit: NavPod stanchion kits for sail pods and most system pods, such as the stanchion kit for all sail pods.
- Accessory Holder: Scanstrut radar, satcom and camera plates, T-bar antenna mounts, ROKK phone and tablet mounts, display bail mounts and bezels, and the NavPod tamper-proof wrench set.
Pre-Cut or Uncut
A pre-cut pod is machined for a named display, so it drops in without cutting. An uncut pod ships as a blank usable face that you cut yourself, which suits mixed instruments, a non-standard display or a future upgrade. Choose pre-cut when your exact model is listed in the title; choose uncut when it is not, or when you are combining equipment. Our NavPod pod guide compares the families.
Measure Before You Order
- Guard width: NavPod SailPods, SystemPods and InstrumentPods are made for a 9.5 in. or 12 in. wide guard. Measure yours first.
- Display model: pre-cut titles name the display they are cut for (Raymarine, Garmin, Simrad, B&G, Furuno, Humminbird and Lowrance models appear). Confirm the exact model, not just the screen size.
- Usable face: the face size in the title is the room you have for the display and any instruments.
- Behind the pod: check the depth available for the display body and its cables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a pre-cut and an uncut pod?
Pre-cut pods are machined for a specific display; uncut pods are blank and you cut them. See the NavPod pod guide for when each makes sense.
Which pod holds a chartplotter and instruments together?
A SystemPod holds a chartplotter with one or two instruments. An InstrumentPod is the three-instrument housing. A SailPod is for one large display.
What guard size do NavPod pods fit?
The titles specify a 9.5 in. or 12 in. wide guard. Measure your guard width before you choose.
Where do I mount a radar or satcom antenna?
Radar domes and antennas go on masts and plates rather than pods: the Navcom Tower Mast category lists Edson towers and Scanstrut tapered masts, and PowerPod and Accessory Holder list Scanstrut PowerTower radar mounts and plates. The radar guide covers dome versus open array and mounting.
Can I mount a phone or tablet at the helm?
Yes: the RailMount and Accessory Holder categories list Scanstrut ROKK mounts with phone and tablet clamps.