Mounting a FF on my Tarpon 120

[Jpcrowley80]

Does anyone have pics or ideas on how hey mounted their FF? I am planning on gooping my transducer in the hull but I'm really looking for the best placement of the display.

[CraigVM62]

Any chance it is one of the older Tarpons from around 2007-2008  or a newer model.   I have a Perception Pescador which is the same as the older tarpon, but some major changes were made with the newer model to my understanding.

[Noah]

This is probably the older style Tarpon. Hockey puck in the cup holder with a ram mount screwed to it. From the front cargo area the transducer is about as far back as you can get it.


Hopefully the springer doesn't block your view

[ravdakot]

you need to come see the one in my garage.

[PikeYaker]

is it a newer one... if so I mounted mine on the lower of the two spot between the foot pedals. I mounted a scotty rod holder on the top spot with an extender to raise it over the top. I then mounted a shroud under the extender to cover my fishfinder from rain and glare from the sun. the battery fits perfect under the same spot in the hull with the transducer just behind it. Will try to get pictures up once I get home.. busy working right now for a couple more weeks

[ConeHeadMuddler]

PikeYaker, I am going to install my new FF on my Tarpon 140 as soon as it arrives. Cabelas's said they had to backorder it, and they expect the shipment in by 2/27. Hopefully, I'll get it by early March. I did receive my Cabelas sealed 12 volt battery, though. I am planning to mount it and my transducer puck in the same spot you mentioned. So I am curious to see how you are doing this.
However, I am going to install the ff itself on a sideboard attached to my right-hand slide track.

What kind of "plug" are you using to run the wires through your deck? I was thinking of doing the "slit rubber stopper" but that makes a big hole. So now I'm thinking of foregoing the plug idea and just cutting (to fit snugly) a small slot in the rim of my forward hatch cover. This would be just a small cut made to fit the wires exactly, snugly, with little leakage. I should be able to repair it later with some redneck injuneerin'. Whatever I do, I must be able to move my transducer to my other boats.

I am going to need to install a toggle switch for my compass back-lighting, too, so it isn't lit up all the time.

[PikeYaker]

PikeYaker, I am going to install my new FF on my Tarpon 140 as soon as it arrives. Cabelas's said they had to backorder it, and they expect the shipment in by 2/27. Hopefully, I'll get it by early March. I did receive my Cabelas sealed 12 volt battery, though. I am planning to mount it and my transducer puck in the same spot you mentioned. So I am curious to see how you are doing this.
However, I am going to install the ff itself on a sideboard attached to my right-hand slide track.

What kind of "plug" are you using to run the wires through your deck? I was thinking of doing the "slit rubber stopper" but that makes a big hole. So now I'm thinking of foregoing the plug idea and just cutting (to fit snugly) a small slot in the rim of my forward hatch cover. This would be just a small cut made to fit the wires exactly, snugly, with little leakage. I should be able to repair it later with some redneck injuneerin'. Whatever I do, I must be able to move my transducer to my other boats.

I am going to need to install a toggle switch for my compass back-lighting, too, so it isn't lit up all the time.

I used a rubber grommet with 2 small wire holes in it, it is from an Echo weedeater. You can actually buy a kit that would make it easy to take apart, it is a screw together part that would stay in the boat. I had thoughts of doing something similar so I could move it around but then decided I would just buy another transducer that way I can hard wire mine in and not worry about it. I will get pics up when I get home.. just not sure yet when that will be!!

[ConeHeadMuddler]

Hmmmm.... Makes me wonder how much does an extra transducer cost? I move my ff (currently, a portable Piranha unit) from boat to boat, so I have been using the water-in-puck method, and don't want to have to use any messy or greasy goop instead of water for a temporary install. So it will either be the water-in-puck, or a permanent goopdown.

For the water-in-puck below deck, I think it will work OK if I use a really tall puck, so I won't spill all the water unless I capsize.

My other alternative is to just make or buy a transducer arm and hang it off the starboard side from the same sideplate that the new ff is going on.  This might work, since I usually troll off the port side. I'm concerned with the added drag which that would produce, though.

I'll have to check the price for a spare Lowrance transducer.

[PikeYaker]

For the water method.... here is a method that I am going to do with mine once I get home... Got it from a fellow angler on the Canadian Kayak Angler forum..

He used a small box cut to fit and gooped it to the hull... then he placed the transducer in the box, added water and put pressure fit foam over the top to hold the transducer in place..

I am going to do this same thing on use a small watertight case so the water will stay there no matter what and i dont have to keep adding water every time

[ConeHeadMuddler]

Good idea.  I might make one with a cap on it, just to hold the water in, even though I plan to remove my transducer after my go-outs (unless I spring for a spare).

[demonick]

Next week I am going to remount my transducer using plumber's putty, also called "Duct Seal".  It is a non-drying sticky putty.  Other's have mentioned it.  I'll post a review.  I've used the foam puck and water, then switched to foam puck and grease, now going to try the putty. 

[Lee]

I'm going to try the putty method this weekend or next week as well.

[Noah]

Next week I am going to remount my transducer using plumber's putty, also called "Duct Seal".  It is a non-drying sticky putty.  Other's have mentioned it.  I'll post a review.  I've used the foam puck and water, then switched to foam puck and grease, now going to try the putty.

Sounds interesting. Can you just pick it up at home depot? I have to mount my new tranducer tonight and I was tired of the puck water method.

[Lee]

Yep, or any large hardware/home improvement store.

[QuillbackBob]

I've gone to the putty approach.  From the pics you can see I used more putty than needed.  Added the PVC fittings to keep the water in the transducer space when turning the yak on it's side to insert the trolley.
Used the PVC connections and cut notches in the bottom of one to allow the water to fill the area around the transducer.  Added to cap for the seal.