Thanks Tom.

I'm going to stick my Windows tablet with Velcro to the panel that was originally designed by the boat maker for mounting a large CP or an array of other instruments. On my boat it's unused and open. Yes to Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

I can easily use one USB cable to an external USB hub for my other connections to it (AIS, GPS etc.) because that's what I've been using for years. The other option (and the only option for iPads) would be to install an NMEA to Wi-Fi conversion. I haven't researched what hardware is available lately but about a year ago I started to consider it and know there are products that will let you piece it together. Maybe Bluetooth also, which IMHO would be a better choice.

As for an entertainment center, that's a different mounting requirement. One that pivots on it's left edge.