6 Best Waterproof TV Mounts for Boat Cabins That Maximize Every Inch

You’ve finally carved out the perfect spot for a small TV in your boat cabin, but the wall is curved and every inch of counter space is precious. Mounting a screen in a moving, humid environment isn’t like hanging one in your living room. The right hardware is the difference between a secure, space-saving entertainment hub and a disaster waiting to happen in the first big wake.

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Choosing a Mount for Your Marine Environment

Mounting anything on a boat is a different game. You’re dealing with constant motion, high humidity, and corrosive salt air. A standard residential TV mount just won’t cut it; it lacks the locking mechanisms to keep the screen from swinging wildly and the material strength to resist rust.

The first thing to look for is a locking mechanism. This is non-negotiable. Whether it’s a pin, a latch, or a friction knob, you need a way to secure the arm firmly in place when underway. I’ve seen unsecured TVs rip themselves right off the bulkhead in rough seas, causing serious damage.

Pay close attention to materials. While many mounts are powder-coated steel, the best choice for a marine environment is marine-grade aluminum or, ideally, stainless steel. If you opt for coated steel, be prepared to touch up any scratches immediately to prevent rust from taking hold. The mount is only as strong as its weakest, rustiest point.

Finally, think about where you’re mounting it. Boat bulkheads aren’t like house walls with evenly spaced studs. You need to find a solid structural point, and you will almost certainly need to use a backing plate on the other side to distribute the load. Don’t rely on the included wood screws; they are not up to the task.

VIVO Locking RV Mount: Secure for Rough Waters

When people ask for a simple, reliable mount for a mobile space, I often point them to the VIVO locking RV mount. It was designed for the constant vibration and movement of a recreational vehicle, which translates perfectly to the challenges of a boat. Its primary strength is its simplicity and an effective, easy-to-use locking system.

The mount features a pull-pin or strap system that locks the articulating arm flat against the wall plate. This prevents any movement, protecting both the TV and the mount itself from the stress of pitching and rolling. When you’re ready to watch, you simply release the lock and pull the screen out to your desired angle.

While it doesn’t offer the longest extension, its full motion—typically offering tilt and swivel—is more than enough for most cabin layouts. It allows you to adjust for glare from a portlight or angle the screen toward the galley or a settee. For a small to mid-size TV in a main salon area, this mount provides the security you need without overcomplicating things.

Mount-It! Ceiling Mount: Ideal for Low Headroom

Wall space is often the most valuable real estate in a small boat cabin. It’s where you need to put windows, storage, or navigation equipment. A ceiling mount, like the ones from Mount-It!, completely bypasses this problem by using the overhead space that is often ignored.

These mounts are brilliant for situations where you want a TV but have no vertical surfaces to spare. The arm folds up, tucking the TV flat against the ceiling and completely out of the way when not in use. This is a game-changer in V-berths or over a galley counter where you can’t afford to lose a single inch of headroom or workspace.

The key consideration here is installation. You must locate a solid structural member in the boat’s deckhead to anchor it to. Simply screwing into a thin fiberglass or wood panel will fail. You’ll need to do some investigating to find a deck beam or install a substantial backing plate. The installation is more involved, but the space-saving reward is enormous.

Kanto PS350 Full Motion Mount for Tight Corners

Boat cabins are full of odd angles and tight corners, making it hard to find a good viewing position. The Kanto PS350 is a full-motion wall mount that excels at solving this exact problem. Its dual-arm design provides exceptional extension and a wide swivel range, allowing you to pull a TV out from a corner and aim it almost anywhere in the cabin.

Imagine mounting a TV on a small bulkhead next to the galley. With this mount, you can extend and turn it to be visible from the settee, then push it back and angle it for viewing while you cook. This flexibility means a single, smaller TV can serve an entire cabin, which is the essence of good small-space design.

The big tradeoff? Most Kanto mounts do not have a built-in locking mechanism. This is a deal-breaker for some, but it’s easily solved. A simple Velcro strap or a small bungee cord wrapped around the arm and wall plate is all you need to secure it for travel. It’s a small DIY step that unlocks the incredible positioning flexibility these mounts offer.

MORryde TV1-025H: Heavy-Duty Swivel Solution

If you need something absolutely bombproof, look no further than MORryde. This company builds heavy-duty hardware for the RV industry, and their TV mounts are famously over-engineered. The TV1-025H is a sliding, swiveling mount designed to be installed on a vertical surface, often inside a cabinet.

This mount’s party trick is that it can slide out several inches before swiveling, allowing you to clear a cabinet door or trim. It’s perfect for creating a hidden TV installation. More importantly, it features a simple, robust metal locking pin that ensures zero movement when secured. There’s no plastic to break or straps to wear out.

This is not the most elegant or lightweight mount on the list. It’s a workhorse. If you have a slightly heavier older TV or you simply want the peace of mind that comes from a ridiculously sturdy piece of hardware, this is your answer. It’s built to withstand years of abuse on the road, which means it will barely break a sweat on the water.

Perlesmith Under Cabinet Mount Saves Counter Space

In a boat’s galley, every square inch of counter space is sacred. An under-cabinet mount, like the popular models from Perlesmith, is a specialized tool designed to preserve that space. It mounts to the underside of an overhead cabinet and allows the TV to flip down for viewing and fold back up to disappear completely.

This is the ultimate solution for adding a small screen in the galley or a small nav station without creating clutter. When folded up, the TV is protected and out of sight. The design also often includes a swivel function, so you can angle the screen once it’s flipped down.

Be realistic about its limitations. These mounts are designed for smaller, lightweight TVs, typically under 27 inches. The installation also requires a cabinet with a strong, solid bottom panel capable of supporting the weight. If your cabinet bottoms are thin luan, you’ll need to reinforce them with a piece of plywood first.

VideoSecu Articulating Arm: Maximum Extension

Sometimes, the biggest challenge is getting the screen from where you can mount it to where you need to see it. The VideoSecu articulating mounts are known for one thing: incredible extension. Some models feature a long, single-arm design that can reach out two feet or more from the wall.

This capability is perfect for an open-plan cabin where you want one TV to serve multiple zones. You could mount it on a forward bulkhead and extend it out to be viewable from the companionway, or even swing it around to be seen from the cockpit on a calm day. It turns a fixed screen into a versatile, multi-room display.

Like the Kanto, these mounts typically lack a marine-specific lock. You’ll absolutely need to devise your own system to secure the arm when underway. But for those who need maximum reach and positioning flexibility, the small hassle of adding a securing strap is a worthwhile trade for the functionality you gain.

Marine Installation: Corrosion-Proof Fasteners

Here’s the most important piece of advice: throw away the screws that come in the box. They are designed for wood studs in a dry house, not for the humid, corrosive marine environment. Using them on your boat is a guarantee of failure.

You must use 316 stainless steel fasteners for your installation. That means stainless steel bolts, nuts, and large fender washers or a proper backing plate. Bolts are superior to screws because you can tighten them with a nut from the backside, creating a much stronger connection that won’t pull out. A backing plate—made of marine-grade plywood or aluminum—distributes the stress across a wide area of the bulkhead, preventing the mount from ripping out in rough conditions.

Don’t cut corners here. The best locking mount in the world is useless if its fasteners rust away or it pulls a chunk of fiberglass out of your wall. The integrity of your installation is just as important as the features of the mount itself.

Choosing the right TV mount for your boat is less about the screen and more about the space. It’s a decision that balances security in motion, flexibility in port, and the long-term durability demanded by the sea. By prioritizing a solid lock and a corrosion-proof installation, you can add a touch of modern comfort without compromising the safety or functionality of your cabin.