comeonfish - transducer install w/ duct putty

[zeebyrd]

After watching a number of YouTube videos about transducer installations in the hull, I want to thank comeonfish for posting a very well documented video. I am glad that there is another fan of duct seal/putty out there. I remember using the seal when I had a canoe and it worked great.

I drilled the hole for the wires of my transducer to bring them out of the hull, no problem. But, I have been hesitant to glue the transducer in with Marine Goop and the form/pad that so many other installers used. After watching your video, I will complete the installation with the duct seal and be confident that it will work well.

I was kind of tired of carrying the battery, transducer/ram arm mount and receiver unit every time I took the kayak out. Now it will be installed and ready to use each time I go out.

Anyone interested in a lightly used ram arm transducer mount, used to lower your transducer into the water? $35. PM me.

Thank you!

[john from md]

I have been using the duct putty method for three years with no issues. I keep a small syringe (minus needle) with me and add an oz of water to the duct dam. This gives me perfect sonar transmission and my temp reads actual water temp after the yak has been in the water for a few minutes. Duct seal is great stuff!

John

[HearadonCatch]

PM sent for the transducer arm

[Longtrav]

Where is the video?

[sushiplease]

Where were u 3 days ago before I bought my transducer arm!

[zeebyrd]

Where is the video?

The best way to install a transducer on a kayak: http://youtu.be/GEZ9_C1iKP0

[Birddog]

+1 Zeebyrd, after watching his video during the winter I was sure that was the best way to do install on my friends yak. We have had no problems and works great.

[jet]

I just stick it directly into the duct seal. no water.

[JohnE]

Duct seal is great stuff. +1 on just sticking it in.

[Birddog]

I just stick it directly into the duct seal. no water.

Do you have to do it like you do with goop so there are no bubbles?

Thanks

[J.A. Veil]

Do you have to do it like you do with goop so there are no bubbles?

Thanks

You definitely want to minimize air bubbles, which is easier to do with putty-like duct seal than it is with a viscous liquid like Goop. Here is some text from an installation guide I wrote last winter. It is quite easy and quick to do once you gain the confidence to proceed.

"The first two installations I made on earlier kayaks used a puddle of Goop to secure the transducer to the hull. It worked very well, but made such a tight seal that I had difficulty removing the transducer when I sold those kayaks. On my last two installations, I used duct seal, a putty material that can be found in most hardware stores. A one-pound block of duct seal costs only a few dollars and is very durable.

I took about half the brick of duct seal and molded it into a 4”-long wedge-shaped piece from ¼” to ½” thick. Try not to have any bubbles in the mass of duct seal – they can interfere with the sonar signals. I looked for a flat portion of the floor then wiped it with rubbing alcohol to remove any traces of mold-release oil from the plastic. Then I pushed the duct seal against the inside hull.

I next pushed the transducer down into that duct seal with the narrow end of the transducer facing the front of the kayak. I molded the edges of the putty around the transducer then added another strip of duct seal over the top to secure the transducer in place. "

[Longtrav]

I just put a little on the bottom stuck the transducer in and I was in business! Love it

[JohnE]

I used two packs of duct seal. Squeezed it all together really well, stuck the transducer into the blob, squeezed it all up again, scuffed up bottom of yak with 180 grit sandpaper and then worked the whole thing into the bottom of my kayak.