Sounder inside of kayak

[Sandworm]

I was reading through the sounder book and it was talking about instaling the sounder on the inside of glass boats. and the problems if there is any air.

Can you install it on the inside of plastic ( body of my kayak)
I just would like to know before i glue the sounder down. Its a bit hard to mount it on the outside without it gettigs hit with loading it on roof racks etc rock in rivers

[shoey]

I've raised this question before and also with a few tackle shops. Unfortunately no-one gives a definate yes or no.
However humminbird did tell me that the thickness of the kayak hull would not cause any interfence with their sounders.

Looking on the Yank kayakfishing sites many of them have done it without any problems providing you dont allow any air bubbles between the transducer and the hull. I have planned to mount mine permanately but I keep swapping it from the canoe to the kayak.

Shoey

[canerod]

i did a bit of looking around on some yank sites yestrday, have a look at http://kayakfishingstuff.com . this site is chock full of useful info including buying and fitting fishfinders.

[Sandworm]

shoey, how are you mounting yours?

i'm worried i might hit it on the roof racks or sand when i paddle very shallow waters, and when moving the yak around..
hence the idea of mounting it inside the hull, but i loose temp sensing this way.....

[shoey]

I mounted the sounder permantly in the yak today. Used selley's all clear to fix the transducer to the inside of the hull. I'll also silicon in a tupperware container to the inside for the battery and run the leads through the lid. My sounder is only a cheap Eagle, so I dont have temp or speed to worry about.

I'll let you know how it fairs after Cup Weekend.

regards,
Shoey.

[Sandworm]

Mine is a cheap Egale also a cuda 128 or somthing (with free temp sensing it states)

I think i will use it on the inside also for now. Mine was $125 new at the fishing expo.

I still need to buy a battery

[bparker]

I've just bought a Lowrance x47 to stick on my kayak (Minnow). I'll be mounting the transducer internally also....I downloaded a manual from the net that has some pretty clear instructions on how it should be done.

However, I'm interested in hearing what you guys have done with the battery to prevent it from getting wet and sliding around I'm thinking of sticking it into a Tupperware type container and running the cable through the lid (sealed with silicone)....just looking for ideas at the moment.

[the_hide]

I went the other path, I ran my transducer out the back of the yak so I could use the speed sensor and water temp sensor aswell. Ran a couple of cable style clips under the yak and siliconed all in place.

As far as the battery was concerned I went the way your thinking bparker, I spent 5 bucks on a clip top stlye hard plastic lunch box type container about 15cm * 10cm. Screwed it into the front. I'll bring in a picture from home tommorrow. Im not sure what size batteries other people are using but mines only 10*7*5 Cm's.

Fully charged this drives my Lowrance X51 for well over 24 hours of use.

[Clithy]

I have a Fisheasy 2, and I have installed the transducer inside the hull (Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro TW) using silicon, It worked great until it let go during transit. The second time I mounted it, it didn't work. When I mount it again I'm going to put the yak in a mates pool and mount the transducer, that way I know there and then if will work, and if it is the best place.
By the way I swap my sounder between the tinny and the yak.
Some of the guys on the yank sites don't think silicon is very good. Any thoughts? Is there something better?

all the best.
Clithy

[bparker]

The Lowrance manual recommends using Epoxy...I guess that means Araldite...being careful not to allow any air bubbles into the mix and to twist the transducer when attaching to the hull to force out any air bubbles.

[shoey]

I used roof and gutter silicon to stick mine to the inside of the hull (it was the only stuff I had). I also used it to stick down a tupperware box for the battery.

I have just returned from a long weekend down at Lake Tyers and although I was only able to get on the water once for a few hours due to near cyclonic conditions, I did load and unload the kayak 6 or 7 times. Just checked to see if everything was OK and found nothing had moved.

Sounder seemed to work fine, however did have trouble picking up the bottom in very shallow water, 0 to 3 feet. Dont know if it is the silicon or just the sounder or the plastic hull?

Only managed one bream 36cm and one flattie on the plastics.

Shoey.

[Sandworm]

I think they always have trouble it very shallow water ???

I still havn't fixed mine so i will try to epoxy it in this week and try the yak..... when ever i find time (so dam busy i cant even fish)

[SMAK Man]

Hi Guys.......not keen on the silicon approach for the transducer, or havin a battery inside a closed hull. Furthermore, I carry the yak up-side-down on roofraks - silicon will release a transducer over time with road vibration.

I went for the Humminbird Piranha 1 Portable....runs on 8 AA batteries (easily lasts a couple of long trips) and I fix the transducer with heavy duty velcro (2 inch) outside the hull. Because it's a portable, the transducer is fitted with a suction cup, and with the velcro support it won't move during normal use - if you hit something hard, the velcro will release without major damage.

Happy to post a photo if anyone's interested......cheers

[shoey]

I,d love to see a photo Smakman, as the silicon gave way on the weekend in the extreme heat and during transport. I was going to try liquid nails next, however I will give your idea a shot.

Shoey.

[SMAK Man]

Photos as requested.....yak is a Cobra Tourer

cheers

Smak man