As a fishaholic, my primary fishing platform is the ski and a GPS/sonar are a must to find those honeyholes nowadays. Just finished doin' my 10hr service on both skis, I went ahead and installed a Garmin FF/Depth/temp sounder. The biggest challenge was where to mount the transducer device. I prefer not to drill holes on the hull.

I first mounted the unit in-hull, using devcon plastic welder. Weighed it down with battery to ensure no air in between the hull and 'ducer.

Then tested it out today (LB Marina)...got no reading...went back home, took the ultimate decision and mount the damn thing outside. Trying to minimize drilling holes, I fabricated a bracket out of 3/16" Al plate, holes drilled to fit the 'ducer brace and another hole for the existing bottom bolt from the portside boarding step. The cable is routed thru the bildge outlet and exiting thru the T fitting. The fitting is resealed with 3M5200.

1/8" pilot is the only hole made for the cable retainer screwed outside (re-sealed with 3M5200). Had to do it so the cable clears any mechanical parts in the pumpwell. I know..my ski is dirty...I'll wax it later .. LOL

Cable routed thru existing port upfront near the steering column...secured via rubber boot for water protection. Fishfinder is mounted over the cup holder using a 3" PVC cap. Secured with marine sealant and bolted.



Now, Im figuring out where to install my handheld gps. Anyhow, Im ready to fish this weekend.

Tight lines and revs up!

Wil

nice setup! wait until you see mine...

and mine...

Why didn't you install a GPS/Sonar like the 420s or 440s? I am looking at the 440s on my Honda. What are your thoughts?

are you talking about the garmin 440s? that's a gps/fishfinder right? it's too expensive, $550 msrp for the transducer version. Also, no word on the power output of the unit on garmin website.

if you plan on mounting the transducer outside, there really is no need for the 400c. the reason why Jikser went with the 400c is because he wanted to mount the transducer in the hull at first. the fishfinder needs to be powerful enough to penetrate through the thick hull, hence the 500 watt fishfinder.

also, it's better to have a separate gps unit. this way, you can take a ride on someone else's boat and mark the spots!

What if we already know the spots...

I dont think I need a fishfinder afterall....

2009 FX SHO wrote:What if we already know the spots...

I dont think I need a fishfinder afterall....

let me know when you're going out then!

aquaman wrote:Why didn't you install a GPS/Sonar like the 420s or 440s? I am looking at the 440s on my Honda. What are your thoughts?

I had GPS/FF combo (Eagle 250 S/map) on my kayak. never really like the split screen and switching from GPS to sonar screen all the time. i was considering the 420s/430s/440s for my ski but only comes with base map (bluechart optional)...then decided just to get the FF 400C for its purpose. Opted for the Colorado 400c portable GPS for various reasons (take it with me on any skis, mark some spots away from my ski , comes preloaded with blue chart maps and wont hurt my eyes with the split screen crap)...

Honda Aquatrax is a double hull. In hull installation may require removal of the first layer and foam for proper transducer signal, unless mouted outside.

Wil

2009 FX SHO wrote:What if we already know the spots...

I dont think I need a fishfinder afterall....

I must see what the bottom structure is like, hence the need of sonar. Anyhow....why not move some gps numbers this way man?