Got the new FF....now what

[Limits]

Many thanks to Cadillyak for posting this West Marine Deal ( Heads up! HDS-5 Gen 2 on sale )

I saw his post a little late but was still able to take advantage of the "Friday Only Sale" on Sunday.

I had a little problem with my order timing out, so I tried it twice. Seemed like it didn't work the 2nd time either so I chalked it up to trying to take advantage of the sale after the fact.

24 hours later, I have an email stating that both orders went thru and on Friday, I had 2 Fishfinders sitting on my door step. (whoops!)

Anywho, I'm trying to figure out how to mount this thing on my Hobie Revolution. The Finder comes with 2 separate cords - one for power and the other for the transducer. These cords are quite bulky. How have you other HDS-5 fans mounted your finders??

I was thinking of a thru hull wet mount for the transducer but am open to hanging it over on the side directly in the water.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[YakDout]

I have a revolution 13' and installed an elite 5 hdi myself last year sometime. It took sometime to get it the way I wanted it, but I like how it turned out. These are the 3 mounts that I've tried on my kayak and of course the last one worked the best

1. Through-hull
Pros: you won't lose the transducer, easier wiring
Cons: you will lose definition on your screen, no temp reading

2. Scupper mount
Pros: temp reading, and great definition
Cons: can come off if you like to drag you kayak around, your bait tank will not drain right without customization

3. Over the side arm (my current mount)
Pros: temp reading, great definition, won't come off,
Cons: drag, depending on where you mount, can interfere with turbo fins.

4. The lowrance ready bay (which you don't have, but obviously a great improvement in the newer boats)

So I'm finally satisfied with the ram ball transducer mount I have, and below are some pics. The cables of my ducer were pretty thick, so the wirecap needed some filing. I love the location of my FF as well as the ram arm.

[YakDout]

Transducer mount

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ad.php?t=21088

[YakDout]

ff mount

[dmrides]

I have always been a fan of keeping it simple. On my revo I used a wet mount. The cables run out under the hatch, the ff was mounted in the sail mast. I could easily stow during launch and landing. The transducer, battery and ff could all come out during transport, I never had to unplug the cables in the back of the unit and never drilled holes in the yak.
Only drawbacks; no water temp and it is a bit of a reach to the sail mount location. For me the benefits and convenience of this set up far outweighed those drawbacks.

[Limits]

Thank you very much for the comments and suggestions. I especially like the photos Yakdout. Very helpful as I'm more of a visual person .

I like the idea of having the transducer directly in the water. I'd hate to lose any resolution now that I have a pretty decent FF. Thanks

[Cadillyak]

As far as mounting the head unit, I originally had mine on the side rail with a YakAttack trac, but that got in the way from time to time. I currently have my Yak at OEX mission to get a few modifications as well as gonna move my finder to the sail mount. This seems like the way to go. Transducer wise, unfortunately I can't help yoiu there. Oh yea, glad you got on that deal! West Marine has been on fire lately with their Friday "one" day sales! Now only if I had more money. Story of my life and I'm sure many others. LOL.!

[ful-rac]

Originally Posted by Cadillyak

Now only if I had more money. Story of my life and I'm sure many others. LOL.!

Yeah but your happy right?

You gotta PA, and you fish...your rich and you don't even know it!

Just not with money...

[MrM]

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Yeah but you're happy right?

you're rich and you don't even know it!

Just not with money...

Now that's a bumper sticker worth having!