Installing a fish finder on a Scrambler xt

[sega]

Hey guys I'm finally making the decision to install a fish finder on my yak. Would like to spend more time catching fish than trying to find them. 1395812_10152346870239689_461788710_n.jpg
That's my kayak there after I painted it a few weeks ago. As you can see I do not have the front rubber hatch, and as of now don't really want to either unless I absolutely have to. I'm trying to install a fish finder that is both cost efficient and easy. I'd like to keep as few holes drilled in my boat as possible. I've read that a lot of people like to mount the transducer right through the scupper hole. In the scrambler models the scupper holes are a wide oval as opposed to a regular circle. Would this still be possible? Or would it be smarter to just get a suction cup mount and strap it to the side (this is what seems easiest to me but I've been wrong before). Thanks for your input guys!

[bgriff]

Without opening one of the hatches, you are going to have to figure out how you will keep the battery and wiring tied down and out of the way. I'm not familiar with the Scrambler, but here's a link that might give you some ideas.
http://jimspears.net/kayakdiving/pages/27.htm

[chex]

Nice yak. Wow, no hatches. You may want to install a hatch to access the interior of the hull. Then you'll have many more transducer mounting options, and you have a place for the battery and wires. Installing a hatch may sound daunting, but it's actually not that hard, other than having to get over the fact that you're cutting a huge hole in your kayak.

The other option is an arm on your crate that holds the transducer over the side.

[Jaspratt]

If it were me, i would want a hatch to glue the transducer on the inside, more protection for the transducer and with an arm hanging off the side and in the water may create more drag or get in the way of the paddle, when i had a freedom hawk they also had no hatches. I was always knocking the transducer with my paddle. I couldnt stand it. And if u have a hatch it alows for more storage. For maybe a dry bag., battety... Etc...

[sega]

Yea the more I think about it the more I think it'd be pretty annoying dealing with the drag/nuisance of an arm mount. Think I'm gonna have to nut up and cut my first hole in the yak for a hatch. I was just dreading spending $60 for a rubber oval from OK -_-

[Shady]

Sorry, a bit OT, but how did you even get one w/out the hatches? and why the black paint?

Anyways, maybe if you just cut for the front hatch and then installed the FF right on top of the hatch cover it would limit the hole drilling.

[buzz]

I was just dreading spending $60 for a rubber oval from OK -_-

Check with your local dealer. My local dealer sells OK stuff far below their suggested retail.

[sega]

It's an older model. It was the basic model they sold for mainly divers. But I could add the two hatchs, two flush rod holders and it would be the same thing as the angler edition which is priced up a lot more. I love it! A steal for $200!

[sega]

And I painted it dark green to make the transition on my eyes when sight casting a little easier. Going from yellow to dark water colors takes longer to adjust even in polarized glasses. Got the idea from kayak Kevin.

[loupa5]

Buy another yak with hatches and leave that one as is....my .02

[dsiekman]

Yea the more I think about it the more I think it'd be pretty annoying dealing with the drag/nuisance of an arm mount. Think I'm gonna have to nut up and cut my first hole in the yak for a hatch. I was just dreading spending $60 for a rubber oval from OK -_-

I tried the arm mount on my SIK and hated it as well. It worked so-so at best and definately slowed me down. After trying to over think it and trying several internal options including a sealed tank well and gluing it in, I finally used the open tank well made from duct seal and splash a little water in each time when I go out. I find this solution has worked the best for me.