Mounting options for DSI FF

[ronaultmtd]

The last two years I have experimented with several transducer mounting systems to try to get dependable, accurate readings on my sonars without any drilling in the hull- I used the duct seal mount first- it worked but came loose after a while from the hammering wave action- I next used the wet well duct seal method (worked better- even got temp reading with this mounting system) but...the DSI transducer needs to be in the water to work best- you can tweak the gain and surface clutter adjustments to help out, but even the thin plastic hulls of kayaks can affect its readings- and what you see or don't see on the screen- not saying they won't work shooting through the hull because they do- just not as well- So with that in mind, I got a new Elite 5 DSI unit as a Christmas present from my wife- and now I am back exploring possible setup options- one is the Lowrance scupper mount- she included it in my Christmas presents and it works perfectly with my Outback- but...it takes up the scupper that the Hobie plug in cart uses- bad news- I need the cart more than I need the scupper mount, so that option is out- Hobie should think about re-designing all of their sit on top fishing kayaks to have an extra centerline recessed for transducers scupper hole just forward of the sail mast-but until they do and it won't help with the older yaks, anyway, I am working up a mount for my Hobie using 2 inch by 1/8 inch aluminum bar stock 20 inches total length- figure I need seven inches to a 90 degree bend that extends down 4 inches- drill two holes for 5/16 stainless bolts to secure another piece of the aluminum bar that extends seven inches terminating with a 90 degree bend of some four inches where the transducer is permanently mounted- the second piece of aluminum bar is secured with two 5/16 bolts- one acting as a centered pivot- one extra hole is drilled in this piece 90 degrees from the second bolt so you loosen and take one out, then use that bolt (use a stainless wing nut on this bolt for ease of use) to put in the extra hole drilled 90 degrees away, so you can swing the arm up and flat against the hull when traveling, loading, and storing the yak and then swing it down 90 degrees to lock it flat with the surface of the water when in use- the 7X4 inch piece is secured to the top of the yak with screws making it the permanent non moving section of the mounting system- I have measured this on my Outback and have all the materials necessary to make this mount-

[FRED driver]

I bought RAM's transducer arm which is prefect. I didn't get the scupper mount due to your aforementioned design flaw

[DOGFISH]

Ron: Also, take a look at the MadFrog gear Liberator...http://madfroggear.com/liberator/liberator.html. That is what I used on my PA. I modified it so that it, just the arm portion, would fit into a short trac by YakAttack. That way the whole thing is removable. I did that due to my being indecided on mounting options. I bought a Lowarance scupper hole mounting kit, as it looks like I could use it on my skimmer transducer on my 597. The only problem I have with the scupper hole units is that they block off the scupper. I plan on modifing the scupper hole unit. The Liberator flips up out of the way for transport or can be removed from the trac. It a clean set up. That may be an option for you. Just some thoughts.

[ronaultmtd]

The Liberator is almost exactly what I am fabricating- why re-invent the wheel?

[ronaultmtd]

Ron: Also, take a look at the MadFrog gear Liberator...http://madfroggear.com/liberator/liberator.html. That is what I used on my PA. I modified it so that it, just the arm portion, would fit into a short trac by YakAttack. That way the whole thing is removable. I did that due to my being indecided on mounting options. I bought a Lowarance scupper hole mounting kit, as it looks like I could use it on my skimmer transducer on my 597. The only problem I have with the scupper hole units is that they block off the scupper. I plan on modifing the scupper hole unit. The Liberator flips up out of the way for transport or can be removed from the trac. It a clean set up. That may be an option for you. Just some thoughts.

OK- Everything came in from HOOK1 and I am installing all of it on my Outback today- I used the one inch ball Ram mount adapter for the Elite 5 ($11.98) and the Scotty electronics mount for the Liberator Mini with a Scotty flush mount ($59.00 with S&H) all told my total actual investment in the Lowrance Elite 5 DSI Gold unit including all the mounting hardware is $530.00....still over $100 under the mfg. suggested retail...The flush mount Liberator setup for the transducer is wicked- really slick- I used my existing Ram electronics one inch ball mount to mount the Elite 5 electronics unit on the left side near the cockpit- same spot I had the Eagle Cuda 350 Combo- same mount- pulled the duct seal wet well transducer out of the bottom of the kayak and cleaned that up- I have a spare Cuda 350 GPS/FF combo unit that works perfectly- make me an offer- Got to figure out how to wipe out all my waypoints out of that unit- don't want my fishing hotspots out there-

[Reelaxin10]

I just finished up my Lowrance Elite-4x DSI install on my 2012 Outback. Thanks Ron for some advice and I chose to install mine via the Ram Ball mount and Elite adapter which works really well. I installed the display unit so the ram post could fold down into the cup holder when laying flat on my roof rack rails during transport. I also used the Hobie Through Hull Fittings to pass the power and transducer cord to the display unit and also into the battery box. These made for a really clean and waterproof look and come with different sized grommets that go into the fittings for different size and number of cables. Both the Ram Mount and through hull fittings were in stock at Backyard Boats in Annapolis. I chose to see how the transducer will work shooting through the hull, and then see if I want to put a swing arm to deploy the transducer if needed. Unfortunately I chipped a bone in my wrist, so carrying my yak down the steps to test the fish finder is out of the question for a few weeks. Here's some pictures of the install:

[ronaultmtd]

The Elite Ram adapter fits perfectly and is really slim and professional looking- just a one inch ball without any bulky stand- I had already tried the Hummingbird DSI transducer (570) as an in hull wet well setup in my OK Prowler and while it worked ok, I always felt it was not a really good match- the Liberator swivel arm setup should be as good as it gets- thanks to Dogfish for suggesting it- I like the Hobie through hull fittings- Currently I have silicon filled in the hull holes I drilled in for the cables, so that is definitely something I want to upgrade- good looking setup you did- I am wondering how the swap from my old Cuda 350 to the five inch color chart plotter will affect my battery life...I know color and GPS are going to use more power- I could charge my old battery two or three times a fishing season- never drained it completely dry, ever-

[CAGE RATTLER]

Sorry to pull up an older thread but getting ready to install a 4X DSI and looking for ideas.
Could you guys possibly post up some pics of your installs please.
That liberator mount sounds pretty good.