H'Bird Flush Mount XDcer Install - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

RockyRaab · 04-19-2012, 01:49 PM

I exchanged the stock transducer for a through-hull flush mount. I installed it today, in about an hour. Easy Pleasy! Here's the sequence:

Inside the Pro Angler, before starting work...

I used the rubber washer to mark the location...

Then, the irrevocable step with a hole saw! No turning back now!

A generous ring of Marine GOOP around the transducer body, on the hull and on the rubber washer inside the hull, and then finger tighten the plastic nut...

Here's the outside of the transducer. It protrudes only 0.2" and is smooth. I'll clean up the little GOOP balls when it's dry. DONE!

I think this is the answer to transducer installation problems, with no drawbacks - once you get over the irrational fear of drilling that 2" hole!

NEEFFF · 04-19-2012, 03:07 PM

nice job.. I wouldn't have the balls to drill the bottom of my hull..

mtnbykr2 · 04-19-2012, 03:36 PM

very nice...scary ....but nice, no muss no fuss

RockyRaab · 04-19-2012, 04:10 PM

Nah. I flew 300 combat missions over Cambodia in a Cessna - alone. Believe me, I know scary. This wasn't.

04-19-2012, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyRaab

Nah. I flew 300 combat missions over Cambodia in a Cessna - alone. Believe me, I know scary. This wasn't.

I wish I could like this post as if it were facebook

RockyRaab · 04-20-2012, 04:52 PM

Had it out today for 5+ hours: not a drop of leakage.

This was my first time afloat with the PA14. I am extremely impressed, to say the least.

My only disappointment with this 'ducer was that it does not report water temperature. I was led to believe that it does. That's not a major problem, and I might be able to buy a separate temp probe that I can dangle through the mirage hole. But the bottom contours were perfect, the 'ducer didn't scrape on my roof rack or the launch ramp - and not a sign of a leak.

Oh, and one last lesson for a senior: I didn't feel comfortable standing up in the PA even in a flat calm. BUT, I learned that you can kneel and pee right into the drive hole!

04-19-2012, 01:49 PM	#1
RockyRaab Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 138	H'Bird Flush Mount XDcer Install I exchanged the stock transducer for a through-hull flush mount. I installed it today, in about an hour. Easy Pleasy! Here's the sequence: Inside the Pro Angler, before starting work... I used the rubber washer to mark the location... Then, the irrevocable step with a hole saw! No turning back now! A generous ring of Marine GOOP around the transducer body, on the hull and on the rubber washer inside the hull, and then finger tighten the plastic nut... Here's the outside of the transducer. It protrudes only 0.2" and is smooth. I'll clean up the little GOOP balls when it's dry. DONE! I think this is the answer to transducer installation problems, with no drawbacks - once you get over the irrational fear of drilling that 2" hole!

04-19-2012, 03:07 PM	#2
NEEFFF Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoCaL Posts: 224	nice job.. I wouldn't have the balls to drill the bottom of my hull.. __________________

04-19-2012, 03:36 PM	#3
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	very nice...scary ....but nice, no muss no fuss __________________

04-19-2012, 04:10 PM	#4
RockyRaab Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 138	Nah. I flew 300 combat missions over Cambodia in a Cessna - alone. Believe me, I know scary. This wasn't.

04-20-2012, 04:52 PM	#6
RockyRaab Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 138	Had it out today for 5+ hours: not a drop of leakage. This was my first time afloat with the PA14. I am extremely impressed, to say the least. My only disappointment with this 'ducer was that it does not report water temperature. I was led to believe that it does. That's not a major problem, and I might be able to buy a separate temp probe that I can dangle through the mirage hole. But the bottom contours were perfect, the 'ducer didn't scrape on my roof rack or the launch ramp - and not a sign of a leak. Oh, and one last lesson for a senior: I didn't feel comfortable standing up in the PA even in a flat calm. BUT, I learned that you can kneel and pee right into the drive hole!