New fish finder installation

[DOGFISH]

Either or most any hardware store. If you go back aways, there are artciles on the forum about the use of the putty.

[ronaultmtd]

Hardware store electrical section carries duct seal-

[Splitscreen]

wow! I am SO glad I took the time to read this thread. I have been researching different ways to install my FF but the putty is definitely the most interesting. I'll have to give it a try! Do I press down firmly on the transducer before I apply the putty over the top of the puck? Or do i leave a little space between the transducer and the hull for a little water? Also how long does this last? When the water dries up do I need to re-install?

[Southerly]

I am not going to experiment on my new PA. However, if I ever get a cheap used kayak, I am going to drill the bottom and put a through hull transducer through the bottom. ,..., I under stand the reluctance,...

i don't want to experiment on my outback either,...., but otherwise, i would like to try softening a portion of the bottom of the hull with a heat gun and by pressing a pre-heated x-ducer plaster casting into the hull, make a place for an exterior flush mount xducer.

the plaster cast would include a conical portion corresponding to the xducer cable. i would preheat the plaster cast in the oven to the right temp for PE soften. then use heat gun to soften the hull, then press the casting into the hull. if successful, the conical portion would push up into the hull and form a 'tube' up into the kayak ala manufacturing method known as 'deep draw'. (http://www.yemmhart.com/pdf_files/co...rmoforming.pdf)

if the top of that tube was above the waterline (inside of the hull), it would be inherently watertight even before it was caulked.

it would also be possible to plastic weld a tube onto the impression. fwiw = backyard boats sells a welding kit. i've done some plastic welding years back and will tell you; it needs a little practice to get the right melt.

ps = the wet well putty system is fine way to mount a conventional xducer puck and there is no chance of damaging the yak.

[ronaultmtd]

We should put up a sticky on this subject as we get a lot of questions on this subject from anglers getting into kayaking for the first time- maybe even do a YouTube of the various methods we discuss

[Southerly]

hopefully, no one takes to melting their kayak w/o some legitimate experience that it might work,..., and that it's important enough to ignore the various accepted/good ways of getting it done

[DOGFISH]

Anyone using a Humminbird unit, excluding SI, should check out their web site at the kits for shoot through hull applications. They also look like clean set ups. For the SI, the wet well set up looks good. Most kayaks have a deep area in the bow suited for the wet well.

[Redfish12]

Joe did a youtube of it... found it! I use the same wetwell type set up, however my 170 is a piece of junk and I wish I had taken it back before the return window closed. I think I got a defective one, need to spend some time with it this winter.

[new2yaks11]

Thanks so much for the Youtube video. I am going to try to install my FF using the "wet" well method. Hopefully I'll have good luck and be in action with a FF on my yak. Looking forward to trying to set up next week and try out next weekend. What size/type battery is everyone using? Is there a way I can mount alligator clips to ends of terminals on FF so I can just clip on battery? Not sure I want to get involved with installing battery box and all that. Where can these batteries be purchased?

[Yak Fish]

The battery will depend on what FF you are running. With my humminbird piranhamax I could get away with a full day on the water with 8 rechargeable double a batteries held in a battery clip from radioshack. With the humminbird 788 it draws about 600 mA, so with a 7 Ah rechargeable battery I can get about 11 hours of run time....or I could run a light or something with it at the same time. I got the battery plus a charger for ~$30 brand new on ebay. You could also use Amazon or elsewhere online for the best price. Alligator clips should work just fine, but depending on the battery you get, the terminals presented may change your mind. I use a quick disconnect auto connector because that's the style lead my battery has. The charger uses alligator clips so it's more universal.

[Shady]

I use this as a quick connect from my FF power cable to the battery.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...content=value4

I think this is what Yak fish was refering to. Just cut the wire in half and connect one end to your power cable and connect the other side to your battery.

[Yak Fish]

I use this as a quick connect from my FF power cable to the battery.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...content=value4

I think this is what Yak fish was refering to. Just cut the wire in half and connect one end to your power cable and connect the other side to your battery.

There are several connectors available, but I use this one:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2104091

[Shady]

Yes, I use those to connect one side of the trailer harness to the battery terminals.

[DOGFISH]

If you make a waterproof box, you can use a water proof plug that plugs right into the side of the box. All depends on where you are storing your battery.

[ronaultmtd]

I use a dry bag and wire ties to secure my battery on my Hobie Outback- Tie it directly to the sail mast - lazy man's way- Pelican makes a box and you can rig up a switch setup that is pretty slick- like they did on my Ultimate Bait Tank- neat system-