Mounting Transducer to Kayak - Transducer Arm or Glue to Hull?

[Lefty76]

I recently acquired my first kayak (Diablo Amigo) as well as a Lowrance Hook 5 fish finder.

Both are still in plastic.

 

I not very keen to the idea of drilling a hole in the top of the kayak for the wiring.

 

What are the Pros and Cons of a transducer arm versus glueing to the hull?

 

 

 

Thanks

 

 

[bassguytom]

I took a pool noodle and cut that around 4 or 5 inches then cut out the shape of my transducer then glued the noodle to the inside of the hull. I added about half inch of  bearing grease inside the noodle then put my transducer in and pushed it down. Made all the other connections and it works like a charm through the hull. I used grease instead of glue for the transducer in case I ever wanted to remove it or it malfunctioned.  Look on YouTube they will show you how and it is all self contained. Good luck!

[Somd Fx4]

depending on the type of transducer, It needs to be in the water for proper operation. I used the transducer arm from Scotty Products and it turned out just fine. As far as drilling a hole in the yak, just go for it. you can use marine grade sealant to seal it back up.

[kjfishman]

Pros

 

1. Won't beat up the transducer when it is in the hull.

2. No holes or permanent damage.

3. Easily installed and or removed

4. No need to buy or make brackets.

 

Cons

1. Water temp off a little.

 

 

[TimberTodd]

I use a transducer arm on my Nucanoe

[Fishingmickey]

Here is a pic of my transducer set-up and fish finder on my Diablo amigo.  I changed to a 1.5" ram ball mounted to the deck instead of the railblazer mount.  I liked this setup because it allowed me to remove everything for car topping.   Kind of hard to see but the Ram transducer arm mount is attached to a ram 1" ball track mounted. Hope it helps.

FM

 

 

 

[J Francho]

I use an arm.  I have SI, so through hull is not an option.  Too bad I didn't have a Humminbird, otherwise the Hobie Compass is Lowrance ready.

 

[Choporoz]

I use duct putty to attach inside the hull on a Wildy and a Perception. (Lowrance Hook 4x and Elite 4.)  Absolutlely recommend going that route if it makes sense for your layout.  If I used SI, then it'd be a different conversation.  But, regular down scan is outstanding throught the hull.  Putty has held perfectly for years of hauling, floating, cartopping, outside storage, etc.  Wiring is simplified with just one hole -- battery inside hulls, blocked by foam gooped to inside.

 

The arm would be in my way...guaranteed...Playing fish, getting at paddle, drifting/trolling lines....I'd make a mess of it, no doubt.  Fortunately, as @J Francho mentions - the Hobie Compass solves my Lowrance transducer problems today.

[J Francho]

@Choporoz get some pics up when you get it wired up.

[Choporoz]

Will do -- wired and tested last weekend.  Two holes drilled -- and wires only out about 14 inches while transporting.  Took a bit to get ducer in the mount proper, but once done, it should be there forever....I'll get pics up - probably tomorrow or Fri

[Choporoz]

Two holes drilled.  1 inch by transducer.  1 inch by my right knee.  Would have been easier if front hole was 1 1/4, but I had plug and bit for 1 inch and made it work fine.  Battery blocked with foam inside hatch, forward of hatch cover.

[kenmitch]

I have the Elite-5 Ti on my kayak. Due to the size of the transducer I had no choice other than buying a transducer arm mount. In the end I went with the RAM Transducer Mount with 18" Rigid Aluminum Rod for Lowrance TotalScan transducer and am happy with it so far. It was a little pricey, but in my case was really the only option.

 

[BassnChris]

I have a Vibe Sea Ghost 130 - the Lowrance Elite ti 7 with totalscan transducer. That thing is a behemoth! Luckily, BerleyPro makes a transducer mount/cover/shield for it. 

[wasabi_VA]

On 2/26/2019 at 3:12 PM, Choporoz said:

I use duct putty to attach inside the hull on a Wildy and a Perception. (Lowrance Hook 4x and Elite 4.)  Absolutlely recommend going that route if it makes sense for your layout.

 

I'm interested in finally attempting the gb putty mount method for inside the hull of my Bass Hunter. @Choporoz - when you mounted your transducer (mine is a Lowrance Elite 4-HDI) did you put down a thin bed of putty before putting down the transducer or did you simply surround the outside edges of the transducer with putty to hold it in place?

 

I ask as interweb is full of folks anguishing over air bubbles between the transducer and hull, but many putty installs just seem to bank the putty around it leaving the transducer with some apparent air between it and the hull.

[J Francho]

You have to press it into the putty.

[Choporoz]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

You have to press it into the putty.

This.  I kneaded it a bit to soften, then rolled it into a puck.  If you work it a bit without 'folding' it onto itself, the air bubbles don't appear to be an issue.

I made sure the inside of the hull was clean and then pressed the putty-puck onto the hull...firmly.  Then simply press the transducer into the putty and mold the putty up the sides a bit to secure it.  

[wasabi_VA]

Thanks!

[Ksam1234]

On 2/26/2019 at 12:46 PM, TimberTodd said:

I use a transducer arm on my Nucanoe

How do you like your nucanoe ?? I’m looking at getting the frontier 12 but haven’t pulled the trigger. I fish out of an old town saranac 14 6 now. How much nicer is the nucanoe

[TimberTodd]

I have never been in an Old Town so I cannot compare the two. As for the Frontier i like it. Its stable with a great open platform. Its not a speed demon but for how and where I fish it works great. If possible see if there's a dealer close to you and setup a test paddle.

[donmac]

I have a Native Slayer Propel 10 and used the putty method.  Quick and easy install. Used an arm on another boat and prefer the putty.  One less thing to have to muck with setting it up to fish and nothing in the way.