wet well

[coop1486]

I've been trying to think of a way to install my transducer inside of a wet well and this is what I have came up with.
A 4x4x6 waterproof utility box with a screw down lid. I took the lid off the utility box I placed the utility box behind the sail rudder and i scribed the bottom of the hull of the kayak to the utility box. i then placed it on the band saw and cut it out. I sanded down the edges that i cut out then i dry fit the utility box to the bottom of the kayak to see how it fit, and it was perfect. i took a pencil and i outlined the inside of the utility box where it would be placed. i took marine goop and run around the pencil line, in the hull of the kayak and the i used the marine goop on the bottom of the utility box. I then placed it inside the hull and weighed it down for a few days for it to get a good seal and dry. The utility lid, i drilled a hole, ran the wire through the lid, and inserted a rubber plug to hold the wire in place and also to keep the water inside the utility box. i took the transducer and put it in the bottom of the hull, i cut styrofoam to go over the top of the transducer and cut it off even with the top of the box, i poured in distilled water in the box, and screwed the lid back down. That's how i made my wet well. For more insurance, i put duct seal around the bottom of box. Has not leaked yet and works great! Rather proud how it worked out.

[Goody]

You have been busy this winter I see. That looks good Coop.

[coop1486]

yeah Goody got little bored this winter.Thanks

[dsiekman]

Very nice!

[archeryrob]

Nice work and idea!

[Runnin]

Looks great. I just finished putting in my Fish finder this weekend. I fashioned a wet well made from Duct seal. We'll see how it works.

[coop1486]

I just figure I wouldn't have to be putting in water all the time

[Yak Fish]

I tried a wet well years ago, but I was never really successful. I'd end up knocking it and it'd come apart. It did work while it lasted. I now use the over the side approach which I've found to be more sensetive. I've seen guys successfully use the wet well and their temp measurements have matched up pretty well with mine so it's a legit approach. It looks like you've got something pretty robust, so let us know how you fair. Good luck!

[john from md]

I used the tried and true dum dum method several years ago and it is still going strong. I carry a syringe and pump in about 2 ounces of water into the well before shoving off and it works like a top.

John

[coop1486]

I used the tried and true dum dum method several years ago and it is still going strong. I carry a syringe and pump in about 2 ounces of water into the well before shoving off and it works like a top.

John

This seem to work well for me.I am sure it will keep working to.Their might be something you done wrong.

[moc]

I have been using the wet well approach also for a few years. I like it much better than putting the transducer in Goop. It is very sensitive and I only need 1/8 of an inch of water so the transducer has continuous contact with the bottom hull and the water below. Mine is simple, but it leaks. I saw Coop's and it seems the housing is rock solid and does not leak. Pretty good idea. I also like the idea of using a syringe to put more water in the well housing.

[john from md]

MOC,

Did you use dum dum to make your dam? The reason I ask is that stuff stays sticky and just doesn't leak. On mine, I built up the area at the back of the transducer and angled it inwards towards the transducer sort of like a volcano shape. I just add water with a syringe into this hole and the shape keeps the water from splashing out. It sticks so well to my OK, I just figure it will be a bitch to get it off if I wanted to.

John

[moc]

MOC,

Did you use dum dum to make your dam? The reason I ask is that stuff stays sticky and just doesn't leak. On mine, I built up the area at the back of the transducer and angled it inwards towards the transducer sort of like a volcano shape. I just add water with a syringe into this hole and the shape keeps the water from splashing out. It sticks so well to my OK, I just figure it will be a bitch to get it off if I wanted to.

John

By Dum Dum method, I assume you are referring to the method of using the electrical putty? Easy to put down and yes, I use the Dum Dum method, but mine is several years old and the putty has gotten a little crusty, so it leaks a little. I plan to replace my Dum Dum approach with fresh putty eventually or if I am ambitious, then I will use the engineering method that Coop and others have implemented. I'll just call my Dum Dum method simplicity at its best . Much easier and reliable than my Goop approach in my older kayak.

[J.A. Veil]

Martin commented that he likes the wet well method better than the simpler Goop method. I never understood what advantages come from using a wet well compared to mounting the transducer in Goop or duct seal. I hope that someone can explain for me and for others why you chose to use that technique. As for me, I mounted transducers on two kayaks using a puddle of Goop, and on two other kayaks using a bedding of duct seal. I have had excellent sonar readings in all cases. Here are two examples from a day I was jigging in the Severn River over a debris pile. I can actually see my jighead moving up and down on the sonar screen. What am I missing by using a dry mount method?

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[Pinch]

Martin commented that he likes the wet well method better than the simpler Goop method. I never understood what advantages come from using a wet well compared to mounting the transducer in Goop or duct seal. I hope that someone can explain for me and for others why you chose to use that technique. As for me, I mounted transducers on two kayaks using a puddle of Goop, and on two other kayaks using a bedding of duct seal. I have had excellent sonar readings in all cases. Here are two examples from a day I was jigging in the Severn River over a debris pile. I can actually see my jighead moving up and down on the sonar screen. What am I missing by using a dry mount method?

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I use just the Duct Seal and have had no issues either. I tried the wet well method but found that over multiple long drives a month to VA to fish the water would leak out. I also store my kayak upside down often.