Kayak “Transducer Trolley”

[PAbasser927]

Just wanted to share a winter project I have been working on to get my sidescan transducer mounted to the bow of my kayak.  

 

Ultimately, I wanted a setup that would allow me to put the transducer dead center inline with my kayak while also having no obstructions to sidescan.  I also wanted it in a position that I can easily drop a bait next to it for “video game” fishing.  Last, I wanted a setup that is easy to disassemble for transportation and easy to stow and deploy while on the water.

 

After drawing out a few options, I decided to mount it to the bow and I got started building a “rotating drum” design that stows and deploys the transducer via a trolley system:

 

 

I will have the transducer permanently mounted to a short length of 3/4 in PVC.  The PVC will insert into the coupling on my mount and be held in place with a pin for easy removal.

 

I haven’t seen anyone else run a setup even remotely similar to this, so I figured this may help pave the way for anyone who has been interested in running their transducer off the bow.

[J Francho]

Pretty clever.  I dig it.  Does it stop at 90° when deploying?  That would be convenient, my arm can get bumped, giving me janky readings.

[PAbasser927]

Thanks!  It does stop at 90 degrees.  I made sure to cut it that way since I had the same gripe when I used to run a transducer arm.  That, and I was always a bit overly OCD about trying to make sure the arm was perfectly straight/level when I deployed it.  This setup gives me peace of mind in knowing the transducer drops to the exact same spot every time. I’m excited to test it on the water.

[MrPeanut]

That looks like a great idea.  Garage/shop innovations are the best

[kenmitch]

 

2 hours ago, PAbasser927 said:

That, and I was always a bit overly OCD about trying to make sure the arm was perfectly straight/level when I deployed it.

 

How did you check to see if it is perfectly level when your sitting in the kayak? 

[J Francho]

20 minutes ago, kenmitch said:

How did you check to see if it is perfectly level when your sitting in the kayak?

I marked the water line.

[PAbasser927]

^ Same.

[IgotWood]

Great idea! Very innovative! And what kayak is that? I love all that open space on the deck.

[PAbasser927]

Thanks!  It is a Native Ultimate 14.5.  There is almost as much space behind the seat as there is in front.  It is classified as a hybrid between kayak and canoe.

[J Francho]

The Ultimate is a cool boat.  I have a similar Commander 140.

[PAbasser927]

Nice!  I was looking at the Commanders when I got my Ultimate.  For me, the decision was going to be made by whichever one popped up on Craigslist for a good deal first.  It happened to be the Ultimate.

[Smalls]

Awesome, I love it. 

 

Nothing has made me stop and go “wow, that is fricken genius” more than the kayak DIY world. Definitely one of those ideas. 

[PAbasser927]

One of my buddies just picked up a yak and I warned him, for some of us, kayaking is just as much about DIY as it is paddling.  Every time I go out on the water I find something I can do to aid convenience.  My wife says it is my “creative outlet” where I am not otherwise an especially creative person lol

[Smalls]

17 minutes ago, PAbasser927 said:

One of my buddies just picked up a yak and I warned him, for some of us, kayaking is just as much about DIY as it is paddling.  Every time I go out on the water I find something I can do to aid convenience.  My wife says it is my “creative outlet” where I am not otherwise an especially creative person lol

It’s always a good feeling when you come up with a clever solution to your needs on the water, too. And we usually (sometimes) save a couple bucks DIY’ing, that’s always a bonus. 

 

What did did you make the mounting bracket from?

[PAbasser927]

Agreed!  It is just a 1/2in commercial cutting board I got for a few dollars on amazon.  I only have about $20 in this whole setup since I had most of the materials as leftovers from prior projects.