Transducer placement on x-factor...help please. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Mike K. · 08-25-2005, 10:04 PM

I am trying to figure out how and where to place the transducer for my fish finder on my Malibu x-factor. The boat doesn't have a truly FLAT spot on the bottom so the transducer will have a small angle no matter where I place it. First the HOW: I have heard of a couple of ways to mount...1) Stick it directly to the hull with 5200 or 2) put two small screws thru the hull, place an approx 2-3" high piece of 4" dia. pvc type pipe around them and mount the transducer between the screws and within the ring of pvc by first sticking it down with 5200 (or not) and then pouring epoxy over the transducer using the ring as a resevoir. The epoxy "grabs" onto the screws thru the hull and the whole thing is a solid unit. This is supposed to prevent dislodgement with the flex of the hull in the waves ect... Second the WHERE: the flattest spots are near the seat and close to the very left or right extreme edges of the hull where the bottom meets the sides...the problem is there is a fair amount of flex to these areas...second choice is near the seat pillars a little closer to the center of the boat. less flex but not as flat (approx. 20 degree or so angle). This is getting a little long winded but you get the picture...I'd appreciate any help from those who've been there. Thanks!

BIG P.S.: What do you think of the bait tank timer switches??? Worth the price???

tattuna · 08-26-2005, 09:15 AM

Not sure if the X Factor has the same scupper holes as the Extreme, but here's how I did it on my Extreme. I just jammed the puck into the larger scupper hole under the seat and sealed it with some Shoe Goo. Then I ran the wire up through the scupper hole and drilled a hole in the vertical wall of the seat well, ran the wires through, and sealed the hole with silicone. I've had it like that for nearly a year without any problems. Works great.

Useful Idiot · 08-26-2005, 10:48 PM

Gimme a call at the shop and I'd be happy to talk ya through it. 619-758-9531
-Brian (malibu kayaks)

Dennis · 08-27-2005, 01:04 PM

Sup Mike,
I placed my transducer in my rear hatch (toward the rear scupper holes). That way, it's out of the way. Take some sand paper and rough out the spot where you're going to place the transducer. Get some Marine Goop from West Marine, or a similar store. Goop the bottom of the transducer with a lot of goop and place a brick, or something heavy to keep it from sliding during the settling time. There should be a flat section along the length of the boat (keel?). As for the for the bait tank, just hook up an on/off switch.. I like it, because it's cheap. That toggle switch to the left of my hatch is my on/off switch for my bait tank.

I've had my transducer in the same spot, launched LJ plenty of times, and still it's still stuck...

Hope this helps, Dennis

Siebler · 08-29-2005, 03:56 PM

Mine was the same place as Dennis has his however i was sick of it poping off and stuff on occasion so i made a mount and it now screws into the back of the yak where the rudder things are. It never comes off and i even have my ff riged portably between my X and eX

wiredantz · 04-07-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siebler

Mine was the same place as Dennis has his however i was sick of it poping off and stuff on occasion so i made a mount and it now screws into the back of the yak where the rudder things are. It never comes off and i even have my ff riged portably between my X and eX

Would you be kind enough to post a picture of the way you did yours. Tha if you still have the yak.

Thanks frank

08-25-2005, 10:04 PM	#1
Mike K. Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 29	Transducer placement on x-factor...help please. I am trying to figure out how and where to place the transducer for my fish finder on my Malibu x-factor. The boat doesn't have a truly FLAT spot on the bottom so the transducer will have a small angle no matter where I place it. First the HOW: I have heard of a couple of ways to mount...1) Stick it directly to the hull with 5200 or 2) put two small screws thru the hull, place an approx 2-3" high piece of 4" dia. pvc type pipe around them and mount the transducer between the screws and within the ring of pvc by first sticking it down with 5200 (or not) and then pouring epoxy over the transducer using the ring as a resevoir. The epoxy "grabs" onto the screws thru the hull and the whole thing is a solid unit. This is supposed to prevent dislodgement with the flex of the hull in the waves ect... Second the WHERE: the flattest spots are near the seat and close to the very left or right extreme edges of the hull where the bottom meets the sides...the problem is there is a fair amount of flex to these areas...second choice is near the seat pillars a little closer to the center of the boat. less flex but not as flat (approx. 20 degree or so angle). This is getting a little long winded but you get the picture...I'd appreciate any help from those who've been there. Thanks! BIG P.S.: What do you think of the bait tank timer switches??? Worth the price??? __________________ drillfish

08-29-2005, 03:56 PM	#5
Siebler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richland Oregon Posts: 1,547	Mine was the same place as Dennis has his however i was sick of it poping off and stuff on occasion so i made a mount and it now screws into the back of the yak where the rudder things are. It never comes off and i even have my ff riged portably between my X and eX __________________ CJ Siebler

08-26-2005, 09:15 AM	#2
tattuna Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pasadena Posts: 329	Not sure if the X Factor has the same scupper holes as the Extreme, but here's how I did it on my Extreme. I just jammed the puck into the larger scupper hole under the seat and sealed it with some Shoe Goo. Then I ran the wire up through the scupper hole and drilled a hole in the vertical wall of the seat well, ran the wires through, and sealed the hole with silicone. I've had it like that for nearly a year without any problems. Works great.

08-26-2005, 10:48 PM	#3
Useful Idiot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 286	Gimme a call at the shop and I'd be happy to talk ya through it. 619-758-9531 -Brian (malibu kayaks)

08-27-2005, 01:04 PM	#4
Dennis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South of La Jolla... Posts: 1,193	Sup Mike, I placed my transducer in my rear hatch (toward the rear scupper holes). That way, it's out of the way. Take some sand paper and rough out the spot where you're going to place the transducer. Get some Marine Goop from West Marine, or a similar store. Goop the bottom of the transducer with a lot of goop and place a brick, or something heavy to keep it from sliding during the settling time. There should be a flat section along the length of the boat (keel?). As for the for the bait tank, just hook up an on/off switch.. I like it, because it's cheap. That toggle switch to the left of my hatch is my on/off switch for my bait tank. I've had my transducer in the same spot, launched LJ plenty of times, and still it's still stuck... Hope this helps, Dennis