transducer mounting help

So i just bought an old town dirigo angler model and my transducer doesnt seem to be reading through the hull. i tested the transducer alone in a bucket of water and thats not the problem. After reading around i learned that it was likely the foam layer in the hull of this particular model that was distorting my signal. I realize one option is to start digging into my hull to get to the outer layer to remount the unit, but before i did that i was wondering if i had any other options. The fish finder is a humminbird 383 if that helps at all. Thanks!

I'm not familar with that kayak model, but yes, a foam layer in the hull would cause you problems.  On larger boats that do the shoot through and have a foam layer they suggest cutting down to the outer hull, but I don't think I'd do that in a kayak.  Another option would be to create a temporary external mount.   For example, some transducers on portable fish finders have a suction cup.  CoosBayYakker created an external mount for his fish finder with some PVC.  I'll link to his old post once I find it.

Brian

Here's Roy's (coosbayyaker) post on a self contained fish finder mount

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,809.0.html

I actually refined the design, same basic design but downsized and with a flip up transducer. Belle approved,Works great!!

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,928.0.html

The cup holder mount is a brilliant idea.  Now if only I had a cup holder mount on the outside of my cedar strip SIK.

-Craig

The cup holder mount is a brilliant idea.  Now if only I had a cup holder mount on the outside of my cedar strip SIK.

-Craig

I'm sure you could mount something similar directly to a board held in place by some deck bungees.

Brian

I'm sure you could mount something similar directly to a board held in place by some deck bungees.

What I did last year was make an adjustable one with a notch that would slide under and get hooked by the bungees right behind the cockpit.  I was able to use it with two different boats that way.

I used an older Malibu yak for a while and it had a foam layer in it. The original owner carefully shaved the foam away, then gooped the 'ducer down. It still worked, years later, when I used the boat for a short time. From what I read years ago on the SoCal sites, where the Malibus were popular, this was a common fix.

I sold the boat to Wali, so I suppose you could ask him if it has sunk, yet...

The cup holder mount is a brilliant idea.  Now if only I had a cup holder mount on the outside of my cedar strip SIK.

-Craig

Scotty has a cupholder mount!



I have one somewhere that I'm not using ... drop me a PM and I'll see if I can send it to you once my stuff gets down to San Jose and I can find it during the unpacking.

-Allen