Mounting a transducer - HELP! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

bentrod1 · 12-28-2009, 05:55 PM

I've been trying to figure out how to mount a transducer to my yak. I've looked at mounting through the scupper hole, inside mount and outside mount etc. The best looks to be inside mount using various forms of glues, jellies (vasoline) and epoxies.

My question(s):

Can someone provide me with step by step instructions (I'm another pain in the ass rookie)
Does the transducer sit on top of the plastic separated by only the glue or epoxy etc.?
Reservoir or no reservoir?
How much of the transducer should be covered with water?
Drill a hole for the cord? (yep definitely a rookie )

I've seen so much knowledge passed back and forth via this forum and appreciate your help.

Bret

zinkysd · 12-28-2009, 06:50 PM

Try this site http://kayakfishinggear.com/fishfinderhowto.aspx
Most people go with the transducer gooped on the inside the hull.
Hope this helps.

Ken
Team Dana Point Jet Ski

Sloberdog · 12-28-2009, 07:28 PM

Transducers go bad, I know, mine took a dump. I had the same question you did when I first got it and ended up "gooping" it inside the hull. Removing the glued in transducer is a real pain to deal with and have zero intention of doing that again.

I have had the transducer glued/gooped in, held in place by glued in foam that was filled with electrical grease, and currently using the glued in foam method and filling it with 1/2 cup of water before each use (this is what I recommend as I get excellent readings and I can easily remove it).

dsafety · 12-28-2009, 08:23 PM

My FF just crapped out. It was still under warranty so I returned it to West Marine and exchanged it for a new one. (See another recent thread for more on this).

When I removed the old gooped in transducer today, I was really surprised to see that the entire surface that was supposed to be in contact with the plastic was covered with bubbles. I was really careful to avoid any bubbles when I installed this transducer.I followed the excepted procedure perfectly. Somehow I must have messed up. After looking at all the bubbles, I am surprised that the thing worked at all, let alone for two years.

While I am technically no longer a rookie, I have to say that just like Bentrod, I could use some good advise on installing the transducer on my new unit so I can avoid the bubble problem. Is the foam and water method a better way to go? Is there another better method?

Sloberdog, if you know of a link that demonstrates the installation method that you used, please post. If this method is used, will the transducer stay in place when transporting or storing the kayak upside down?

Bob

dgax65 · 12-28-2009, 10:11 PM

Goop bubbles as it cures. Any movement of the transducer just makes it worse. In spite of the bubbles, both of these gave good readings down to about 550'-650' depth; depending on conditions.

I don't think the bubbles were this bad when attached. It took a lot of force to pull these up, so it's likely that some of that was caused by the removal.

I've been pondering how I'm going to mount the transducer in my new yak. I've Gooped the last 4 that I installed. Before that I used 3M 5200. The 5200 makes an ungodly mess of things but provides a good mechanical attachment and creates a more uniform bond. Either can give acceptable results. I would rather mount it in a scupper or over the side, but I don't want the transducer cable exposed.

Podaker · 12-28-2009, 11:54 PM

I used a two part slow cure epoxy recommended by billy v and have had no problems in over a year. previously I had a piece of foam fitted to hold the transducer under water and after the boat rolled or pitched the water would find a way out resulting in loss of signal. lots of people use marine goop or other epoxy's. my advise is whatever you use make sure once you set it be sure it sets long enough to dry completely and don't mess with it.

12-28-2009, 05:55 PM	#1
bentrod1 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Upland Posts: 60	Mounting a transducer - HELP! I've been trying to figure out how to mount a transducer to my yak. I've looked at mounting through the scupper hole, inside mount and outside mount etc. The best looks to be inside mount using various forms of glues, jellies (vasoline) and epoxies. My question(s): Can someone provide me with step by step instructions (I'm another pain in the ass rookie) Does the transducer sit on top of the plastic separated by only the glue or epoxy etc.? Reservoir or no reservoir? How much of the transducer should be covered with water? Drill a hole for the cord? (yep definitely a rookie ) I've seen so much knowledge passed back and forth via this forum and appreciate your help. Bret

12-28-2009, 06:50 PM	#2
zinkysd Hobie Fishing Team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 145	Try this site http://kayakfishinggear.com/fishfinderhowto.aspx Most people go with the transducer gooped on the inside the hull. Hope this helps. Ken Team Dana Point Jet Ski __________________ Last edited by zinkysd; 12-28-2009 at 08:13 PM.

12-28-2009, 10:11 PM	#5
dgax65 Guerro Grande Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 629	Goop bubbles as it cures. Any movement of the transducer just makes it worse. In spite of the bubbles, both of these gave good readings down to about 550'-650' depth; depending on conditions. I don't think the bubbles were this bad when attached. It took a lot of force to pull these up, so it's likely that some of that was caused by the removal. I've been pondering how I'm going to mount the transducer in my new yak. I've Gooped the last 4 that I installed. Before that I used 3M 5200. The 5200 makes an ungodly mess of things but provides a good mechanical attachment and creates a more uniform bond. Either can give acceptable results. I would rather mount it in a scupper or over the side, but I don't want the transducer cable exposed. __________________ Douglas Gaxiola Team No Fish- Amateur Staff

12-28-2009, 07:28 PM	#3
Sloberdog Junior Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 15	Transducers go bad, I know, mine took a dump. I had the same question you did when I first got it and ended up "gooping" it inside the hull. Removing the glued in transducer is a real pain to deal with and have zero intention of doing that again. I have had the transducer glued/gooped in, held in place by glued in foam that was filled with electrical grease, and currently using the glued in foam method and filling it with 1/2 cup of water before each use (this is what I recommend as I get excellent readings and I can easily remove it).

12-28-2009, 08:23 PM	#4
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	My FF just crapped out. It was still under warranty so I returned it to West Marine and exchanged it for a new one. (See another recent thread for more on this). When I removed the old gooped in transducer today, I was really surprised to see that the entire surface that was supposed to be in contact with the plastic was covered with bubbles. I was really careful to avoid any bubbles when I installed this transducer.I followed the excepted procedure perfectly. Somehow I must have messed up. After looking at all the bubbles, I am surprised that the thing worked at all, let alone for two years. While I am technically no longer a rookie, I have to say that just like Bentrod, I could use some good advise on installing the transducer on my new unit so I can avoid the bubble problem. Is the foam and water method a better way to go? Is there another better method? Sloberdog, if you know of a link that demonstrates the installation method that you used, please post. If this method is used, will the transducer stay in place when transporting or storing the kayak upside down? Bob

12-28-2009, 11:54 PM	#6
Podaker Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: la jolla shores Posts: 86	I used a two part slow cure epoxy recommended by billy v and have had no problems in over a year. previously I had a piece of foam fitted to hold the transducer under water and after the boat rolled or pitched the water would find a way out resulting in loss of signal. lots of people use marine goop or other epoxy's. my advise is whatever you use make sure once you set it be sure it sets long enough to dry completely and don't mess with it.