Fish finder install on 12' Jon Boat

[Shawn OConnor]

I bought a eagle this weekend and plan on installing it this week.  Has anyone else done this?  I would love to see pictures.  Also, what do you do with the wire for the transducer?  Bring it up and over the back?  Here's a pic of the back of my boat.  Thank you for any help.

[Glenn]

[movedhere] General Bass Fishing Forum [move by] Glenn.

[Painter Dude]

Something like this would work for you  

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_387_250003004_250000000_250003000_250-3-4

[done]

I had a Eagle Cuda set up on my Topper 14, I rigged up my own but was very similar to the on in the photo. The only difference was I bought a bicycle tire tube, cut it open and wrapped the aluminum in it to keep any friction with the hull down to a minimum.

The wire just run up over the back. Once i had it over the back I used some wire straps to keep it neat and clean from the back of the boat to the battery.

[Shawn OConnor]

Thank you for the info.  I wonder why they didn't try to sell me that at Bass pro when I bought it Saturday in Charlotte?  Yes, I told them I had just bought a topper 12 from the Bass Pro in Richmond.

So do most people just not drill holes through the transom and make sure they use a ton of sealant when mounting?  I've googled about every combo of words and not coming up with a lot of luck.  

[J Francho]

I'd go with a permanent installation.  The manual shows you how.  No need for the bracket, unless you leave your boat on the shore, or fish from rentals.

[Jig Man]

I'd mount the xducer on a board and screw the board into the boat above the water line. Lunds always came with one included so you never had to deal with leaks.

https://www.firstchoicemarine.com/p-16508-rig-rite-transducer-mounting-plate-910.aspx

[Daniel My Brother]

I'd go with a permanent installation. The manual shows you how. No need for the bracket, unless you leave your boat on the shore, or fish from rentals.

Agreed. People tend to freak out over the thought of drilling holes in their boat, but you have nothing to fear.  

[Shawn OConnor]

Great, thanks guys.  I like the idea of the board with the hole drilled above the water line.  

Has anyone actually seen one or have a picture of one with the transducer mounted directly to the transom like the manual suggests?  Like I said, not having a ton of luck finding pics with my searchs.  Is this because most of the boats sank before they could take a picture?  

[done]

before you drill the hole, make sure it does not impact your warranty. Some manufacturers will put fine print in there about voiding the warranty once you drill through the hull.

You are probably alright, just make sure first.

[done]

One other thing, how big is that motor? I had an 8 and despite reassurances from the dude I bought it from, I had to significantly reinforce the transom in mine to prevent cracks from forming.

[Wayne P.]

Tracker aluminum bass boats come from the factory with a transom mount transducer screwed directly to the hull. Where I fish mostly, it only lasted until the second trip there. The screws at the bottom with the white outlines is were it was mounted. I now use a shoot-thru so the stumps won't claim any more.

If you screw it to your hull, use marine grade caulking as a sealer and it will last forever.

I mounted a transom transducer on my former 12' jon boat in the same location-a picture of that installation is a little too dark to see it well though.

[Shawn OConnor]

Awesome, thanks Wayne.  I may try mine up a little higher than directly even with the bottom of the boat (like 1/2 inch).  I'm going to head to Greentop this afternoon because I broke my second St. Croix rod out there and see if they have any wisdom.  I'll likely try the install tonight.  There are no mounting holes on the Tracker Toppers.  See pics.  

[Shawn OConnor]

Here another of the area I plan on drilling the holes for the transducer.  The sheet metal on these boats isn't very thick.  I think I will add a piece of plywood to strengthen the inside.  

[Wayne P.]

I you don't mount the transducer with the mid point even with the hull bottom (like the instructions indicate), you will not get a depth reading when the boat is on plane. Also pay attention to the rivet locations so you can keep the water flow from those away from the transducer location if you want on-plane operation.

[endless]

I bought a eagle this weekend and plan on installing it this week. Has anyone else done this? I would love to see pictures. Also, what do you do with the wire for the transducer? Bring it up and over the back? Here's a pic of the back of my boat. Thank you for any help.

i just mounted the eagle 320 on my 11 footer. but i had to take it back. being defective. the guy out gander mountain claims to never see it before but the top half of screen was black.

i recommend if using the bracket for transducer get your self some nuts and bolts maybe, my screws that it came with never took hold and no matter what my boat leak. i went through hell with the sealant too. i had it all over me and everything. i just mounted the depth finder near my seat on the top side wall of the boat. so i can see when driving. the cords. i stuffed the connector to finder through that v indention and the rest left tied up in the back of boat. i was going to drill a big enough hole and just stuff the wires inside the metal seats just to rid the slack. i no im also going to use marine weld next time around the screw holes and seal it for good. thats my boat in the avatar.

also the instructions tell you how to drill and bring the transducer wire through the boat and what you use to seal it. i might try that too.