X-Wing with retractable transducer mount - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

RubiconAg · 01-21-2009, 08:50 PM

Figured I would post this up for Malibu and those that are curious like myself on mounting a transducer.

I knew I wanted a mount for my tranducer that put it in the water to utilize the temp function accurately. However, I did not want the expensive transducer being exposed to beach/rock landings or when loading or unloading, getting hit. Also, I wanted my x-wing to be removable without having a ton of wires on the deck or in the hull. I first looked at some connectors that would allow me to leave a pigtail for the transducer coming off the X-Wing and a female flush mount on the deck of the kayak. Here they are….( CLICK Hirose Connectors )

But this still left me with where to mount the actual transducer now that I solved the connector issue. I decided to scrub the whole idea of wiring the transducer in to my hull or through the hull. I still use the kayak for some recreation outside of fishing. I wanted something that would allow me to remove my x-wing, battery, FF/GPS, and transducer with relative ease. This meant mounting the transducer to the x-wing package but making it movable so when I come into shore I don’t have to worry about knocking it off. What a better way than to use the company that makes a ton of mounts, RAM systems. I don’t have the exact part numbers but here are the components I used
1” molded ball with flat 4 hole mount(I would suggest using the aluminum one instead, I have a bit of play with the ball)
Standard 1” double ball adapter
1” ball to pipe connector
A 12” section of RAM tubing (this is a different size than standard PVC pipe) that slips into the ball/pipe connector
The pictures below do a better round of explanation.
X-Wing

Ball mounted on side

Pipe, heated, pinched, drilled and shaved to clear the wire

Mounted to pipe

Ball and connector that allows loosening and moving the transducer up and out of the way.

All on

Finally in the water!!!

Final thoughts: I love the setup so far. Since the transducer is so close to my paddle strokes I do get from time to time some surface feedback on my sounder screen from my paddle entering the water. This is not a big and it stops when I stop paddling. It also does not affect the FF from working properly. My compass also is off because of the magnetic field generated by the Garmin unit. This isn’t that big of an issue though because if I ever loose my battery power GPS, I can disconnect it and my compass will read correctly then.

lambadmin · 01-21-2009, 11:17 PM

Very cool and creative!

Thanks for sharing!

MarkT · 01-22-2009, 07:09 AM

Nice! Looks that that approach using the ram mount would work on any yak just by mounting it on the rail for those who want an clean removable mount.

dgax65 · 01-22-2009, 07:31 AM

Very nice. Looks like a factory-made piece of equipment.

steveooo · 01-22-2009, 07:58 AM

Very innovative

You got me thinkin....

ryobi1 · 02-24-2009, 08:41 AM

What did you use as the grommet where the wire goes back into the x-wing? I am working on a similar design. Also, it would be great if you could repost the pictures.

01-21-2009, 08:50 PM	#1
RubiconAg Junior Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 13	X-Wing with retractable transducer mount Figured I would post this up for Malibu and those that are curious like myself on mounting a transducer. I knew I wanted a mount for my tranducer that put it in the water to utilize the temp function accurately. However, I did not want the expensive transducer being exposed to beach/rock landings or when loading or unloading, getting hit. Also, I wanted my x-wing to be removable without having a ton of wires on the deck or in the hull. I first looked at some connectors that would allow me to leave a pigtail for the transducer coming off the X-Wing and a female flush mount on the deck of the kayak. Here they are….( CLICK Hirose Connectors ) But this still left me with where to mount the actual transducer now that I solved the connector issue. I decided to scrub the whole idea of wiring the transducer in to my hull or through the hull. I still use the kayak for some recreation outside of fishing. I wanted something that would allow me to remove my x-wing, battery, FF/GPS, and transducer with relative ease. This meant mounting the transducer to the x-wing package but making it movable so when I come into shore I don’t have to worry about knocking it off. What a better way than to use the company that makes a ton of mounts, RAM systems. I don’t have the exact part numbers but here are the components I used 1” molded ball with flat 4 hole mount(I would suggest using the aluminum one instead, I have a bit of play with the ball) Standard 1” double ball adapter 1” ball to pipe connector A 12” section of RAM tubing (this is a different size than standard PVC pipe) that slips into the ball/pipe connector The pictures below do a better round of explanation. X-Wing Ball mounted on side Pipe, heated, pinched, drilled and shaved to clear the wire Mounted to pipe Ball and connector that allows loosening and moving the transducer up and out of the way. All on Finally in the water!!! Final thoughts: I love the setup so far. Since the transducer is so close to my paddle strokes I do get from time to time some surface feedback on my sounder screen from my paddle entering the water. This is not a big and it stops when I stop paddling. It also does not affect the FF from working properly. My compass also is off because of the magnetic field generated by the Garmin unit. This isn’t that big of an issue though because if I ever loose my battery power GPS, I can disconnect it and my compass will read correctly then.

01-21-2009, 11:17 PM	#2
lambadmin Spam Sanitation Dept Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,375	Very cool and creative! Thanks for sharing! __________________

01-22-2009, 07:31 AM	#4
dgax65 Guerro Grande Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 629	Very nice. Looks like a factory-made piece of equipment. __________________ Douglas Gaxiola Team No Fish- Amateur Staff

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01-22-2009, 07:09 AM	#3
MarkT Deep Release Specialist Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 94	Nice! Looks that that approach using the ram mount would work on any yak just by mounting it on the rail for those who want an clean removable mount.

01-22-2009, 07:58 AM	#5
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	Very innovative You got me thinkin....

02-24-2009, 08:41 AM	#6
ryobi1 Junior Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tualatin, OR Posts: 1	What did you use as the grommet where the wire goes back into the x-wing? I am working on a similar design. Also, it would be great if you could repost the pictures.