Fish Finder Frustration!

Hello,

I am trying to get my fish finder rigged up. I have everything but the foam puck which no one carries during the winter months, and the electrical hardware (fuse, female attached ends for the battery etc.) and it seems like no one has any of the stuff in stock and I keep buying stuff that wont fit or work! I've been to radio shack, ace, and walmart. Most wire connectors are 18-16 or 14 and 12-10. I believe my battery cables are 22? maybe 18. Let alone trying to find foam for the puck and someone with a jig saw and drill to help me put in the hatch. I also had a thought of making a tackle area in the hatch access by my seat. it is hard for me to reach behind me. I had thought of using some foam to make compartments inside the kayak. Battery holder, tackle box holder, dry box holder and bait holder.  Anyone have any advice or willing to lend a hand if you have the tools?

Thanks,
Josh

You can make your own foam puck. I made my own and have extra foam if you need it.

how did you make your own foam?

I don't make my own foam. I have foam that I make the transducer pucks out of.
I just made this on and you can have it if you are using a Eagle or Lowrance fish finder.

I don't know what products you have already purchased or may already have on-hand, but Hobie makes a kit with everything you need for an install.

http://www.kayakshed.com/hobie-kayak-gear/hobie-kayak-fish-finder-installation-kit

thanks but on a tight budget. and thats almost twice what I paid for the fish finder.

I just cut mine out of a pool noodle and used a filet knife to cut it out.

I just cut mine out of a pool noodle and used a filet knife to cut it out.

Yes....mine has been working 2 years now and I hardly ever add water. The only thing I had to learn was...cut the noodle as closely to the shape of the hull as you can for a better seal.

I just cut mine out of a pool noodle and used a filet knife to cut it out.

Yes....mine has been working 2 years now and I hardly ever add water. The only thing I had to learn was...cut the noodle as closely to the shape of the hull as you can for a better seal.

 Right, and the other thing I did was put some weight on it while the marine goop cured because I did not get a seal on the first try.

Almost all electronics are shipping in closed cell foam which is what you want. Go to Best Buy, snag someone at the loading dock, and ask.

Almost all electronics are shipping in closed cell foam which is what you want. Go to Best Buy, snag someone at the loading dock, and ask.

Thanks if I make it out today I might just have to swing in there and find someone to talk to!

I was told they sold cheap closed cell foam blocks in the gardening section of most stores.

I was stupid because they don't have much in the way of pool accessories in Alaska so I ended up buying one of these...it was on sale and I got a GREAT workout DVD out of it (not) but the foam has worked great!  LOL.

Kneeling pad in the gardening section of your local Fred Meyer, homer depot, or blowes.  $2 to $3

Seriously though, this stuff is used to package just about everything heavy nowdays.  Any appliance store, electronics store, furniture store etc is gonna have a crap ton of closed cell foam that they pay to have disposed of. 

If you're given the option to pick thru a bin, just remember that it comes in different thicknesses and rigidities.  I prefer the stiffer, larger cell stuff.  If the piece you get is too thick, it's really easy to pare it down with just about any sharp blade.  I use a bread knife.

-Spot-

Seriously though, this stuff is used to package just about everything heavy nowdays.  Any appliance store, electronics store, furniture store etc is gonna have a crap ton of closed cell foam that they pay to have disposed of. 

If you're given the option to pick thru a bin, just remember that it comes in different thicknesses and rigidities.  I prefer the stiffer, larger cell stuff.  If the piece you get is too thick, it's really easy to pare it down with just about any sharp blade.  I use a bread knife.

-Spot-

I checked best buy and they said they dont have any and had no idea what I was talking about. neither did home depot and lowes. makes me wonder if its just people in salem. I asked do you have any closed foam or packaging foam from recent shipments, and they said no and have no idea what I am talking about.