Sweetwater Fishing Forums

Special Interest => Kayak & Canoe Chat => Topic started by: kingbrown3847 on September 08, 2011, 09:55:18 PM

Title: Fitting a fish finder transducer inside the hull of a kayak.
Post by: kingbrown3847 on September 08, 2011, 09:55:18 PM
Can anyone give me some advice in regard to fixing a Garmin 300C fish finder transducer to the inside of my kayak? I've been told that Marine Goop is the best but it is pretty expensive. Will any other product do the job? Anything else I need to know? Thanks.
Title: Re: Fitting a fish finder transducer inside the hull of a kayak.
Post by: Nativeman on September 08, 2011, 10:33:05 PM
I use a wet mount process

Get a piece of foam about 1"thick,cut a square/rectangle about 150 x 150mm,  trace the shape of the transducer onto the foam about the middle, cut it out with a craft knife neatly.  Glue it to the bottom the inside of your kayak making sure you don't get any silicone in the cut out section. I did one this week and used Roof and Gutter silicone, alot of people swear by All Clear. I also drill or cut extra holes into the foam piece so the silicone keys into place for extra hold. Also sand the inside of the hull with coarse sandpaper. Leave something heavy on it over night. Also seal around the outside edge as this will eventually be filled with water.

So when you get to the waters edge, you fill the cavity in the foam with as much water to fill the cavity...a handful and then place the transducer in the cavity filled with water. Its fool proof, I have never had this system fail on me unlike many times I have had goop get airbubbles or lift away from the bottom of the kayak.

If you search the kayak fishing forums you will probably find a step by step on this method...

Cheers

Sel

Title: Re: Fitting a fish finder transducer inside the hull of a kayak.
Post by: kingbrown3847 on September 09, 2011, 06:20:35 AM
Thanks, Sel. Sounds like a fantastic setup.  I didn't really want to glue the transducer in so I'll be doing it your way. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Dave B.
Title: Re: Fitting a fish finder transducer inside the hull of a kayak.
Post by: Bracey on September 09, 2011, 06:26:46 AM
I've also used the wet mount option, however I opted for the gluing method on the Perception kayak. Both methods work well if done correctly.

Gluing Method: http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Forum/index.php/topic,2409.msg8472.html#msg8472 (http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Forum/index.php/topic,2409.msg8472.html#msg8472)

Wet Mount Method:  See attached photos.
Title: Re: Fitting a fish finder transducer inside the hull of a kayak.
Post by: Binder on September 09, 2011, 06:56:17 AM
Most silastic does the job, I use all clear as it peels off (eventually after many broken fingernails) if you ever want to remove the transducer, just takes longer to set up.
Title: Re: Fitting a fish finder transducer inside the hull of a kayak.
Post by: Brad H on September 09, 2011, 07:28:01 PM
All clear is probably the best sealant to use, or something similar that is a neutral cure. normal run of the mill silicones tend to be acetate cure, which is prone to developing bubbles as it cures from the chemical reaction.
Sikaflex is also good, but a right bugger to remove if you upgrade either the Kayak or the sounder.
Title: Re: Fitting a fish finder transducer inside the hull of a kayak.
Post by: Sweetwater on September 12, 2011, 04:07:39 PM
Fixtech, Sicaflex or all clear work well for me so far.  :thumb
Title: Re: Fitting a fish finder transducer inside the hull of a kayak.
Post by: Sweetwater on September 16, 2011, 08:03:32 PM
Here's a link to an article I put together which might also be of some assistance.

http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Forum/index.php?action=tpmod;dl=item5 (http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Forum/index.php?action=tpmod;dl=item5)

Cheers,

Fitz..