Fishfinder On My Ascend Fs10 Kayak

[buzzed bait]

I am looking to purchase a Garmin Echo 150 Dual Beam FishFinder and am looking for any and all tips/advice on mounting the transducer in the hull of my kayak.  I have an Ascend FS-10 kayak so I have a nice "console" to mount the unit on.  I am looking for tips/advice in terms of properly mounting the transducer so that I do not receive poor/false readings.  Additionally, I am looking for any advice you could offer on how to store or mount the battery as well to conserve space, reduce interference and not slide around inside the hull.

If you can point me in the direction of any other threads that already covered this topic that would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks!

[Jay Ell Gee]

You are off to a good start by purchasing a dual beam sonar. They have a lot of versatility.

 

On my kayak, I have a Humminbird set up being run by a small 12v battery that most people use to run automatic deer feeders. It is charged by a small charging kit that in total cost about $45.

 

Using this battery, I will typically get about 16 hours of run time from the Humminbird before the battery needs a charge.

 

As for the install, I HIGHLY recommend Marine Goop. It is a very good agent for setting a transducer down onto the hull.. Your main priorities are making sure that the transducer is facing the proper way (you would see on the transducer that it has a spot to attach the bracket that would otherwise secure it to the transom/trolling motor mount, that needs to face forward,) set the transducer as level as possible, and to try to get out any air bubbles that you can in the goop. Sonar can't pass through air, so air bubbles are a bad thing.

 

If you want, you could surround the transducer with a foam block or something and secure it down as well. This would keep things on the inside of the kayak from bumping the transducer and eventually undoing your install.

 

As for the battery, I cut a large pool noodle in half and sandwiched it in between them, then sandwiched the pool noodle into the narrow spot inside the kayak that the dash between my legs is molded. In your case, you could probably get a small Plano-type waterproof container, secure it to the bottom (your choice in methods) and run the power wire out of that. I don't waterproof mine, but it is never a bad idea.

 

Here are some links to the battery and the charger I was describing. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a PM. I install and tune these on a regular basis.

 

Battery (12v/7.5amp):

 

http://www.basspro.com/RedHead-Rechargeable-Batteries/product/49382/

 

Battery Charger:

 

http://www.basspro.com/6V/12V-Battery-Charger/product/49377/

 

Best of luck! Let us know how it turns out!

[buzzed bait]

Thanks Jay for the info!  I'm going to pick one up this weekend and will work on it over the course of next week.  Any suggestions in terms of where to place the transducer for the most accurate readings, as in back or front of the kayak?

[Wayne P.]

The transducers for 2D sonar units are not directional-turn it any way you want if you are not using an external mount bracket.

If you are gong to do the shoot-thru installation, get the proper transducer for that. It will be smaller overall.

If you get the Humminbird unit, contact Humminbird to exhange the supplied one for the XP 9 20 T.

That one has a remote temperature sensor so you can get the water temperature reading.

[190 Tracker TX]

I have mounted my Lowrance Elite-5x on my Jackson Cuda Yellow Jacket kayak.

 

 

 

I considered a shoot through hull mount, but after evaluating a scupper hole mount it was apparent to me that a scupper hole mount would be more sensitive because the transducer is actually in the water.  Also, the scupper hole provides adequate protection for the transducer because the scupper hole provides a recess for the transducer as shown:

 

 

I chose a scupper hole under my seat so as to eliminate any activity that could damage the mounting location.  Equally important was the location under the seat had to be suitable in either the high or low seat position:

 

 

 

Finally, I evaluated were to mount the actual unit; I did not like the possibility of having to reach or stretch, straighten, or extend my body, especially my arms to their full length to operate the unit; so, I decided to put the unit in a position that was out of the way while paddling my kayak and while I was actively engaged in retrieving and managing a fish.

 

 

 

Hope this provides you with at least a few ideas!

[dbeam]

I mounted my transdudcer in Plumbers Goop 2 years ago and it has worked perfectly.   I put it under the front hatch.  Surface temp readings may not be excat but the plastic seems to change with the temp fairly quick.     I made a resivior out of the top ring of a plastic cup, taped it into position, and so that the Goop wouldn't leak through.  put the goop into the cup so that there are few or no bubbles then stick transducer into the mixture so the it is coevered at least halfway.  Tape, prop or figure how to hole the transducer still for 24 hours and your good to go. remove tape and rig.  I carry the battery in an old fishing bag big enough to put the finder in when it is not in use.  Everything stores in the bag with only the cord to the transdudcer ccoming out after it is ipped up. On my drifter I was able to add a caribiner to the bag so that it doesn't slide around much while i am moving the yak.

 

Darrell