Installing a FF without drilling holes in the hull!!

....Drill them in the hatch instead - lol.

Went the easy route and ordered a battery kit (12v 5ah) from KFS and a RAM cuda mount also from KFS.

Since I have a pedal yak, mounting on the center hatch wasn't a very good option.  Mounting the Cuda directly to the front hatch caused interference problems with the pedals - hence the RAM mount.

The battery box fits right into the hobie gear bag, so I guess that's where it will stay.  Stil have to place the tranducer, drill and get a grommet to run the wiring also through the hatch and goop everything up.

I figure if I end up not liking the install (or moving on to another yak) I can put it back to original by buying a new hatch.

Nice install. Simple and clean.. just my style.

Z

I like it, too. Easier to replace a hatch cover, than an entire boat, if you don't like the holes.

....Drill them in the hatch instead - lol.
Mounting the Cuda directly to the front hatch caused interference problems with the pedals - hence the RAM mount.

Most folk think I'm mad as a hatter, but that center hatch works fine for me. Its close enough to use the mapping functions and I can move it out of the way readily enough to scoot around or (God forbid) for a fish. The little Lowrance does not interfere with pedaling either.

You must have long arms and good eyesight..

"You must have long arms and good eyesight.."

20/20 and a 6' wingspan...

That said, I am concerned about having the finder that far forward - not sure where else I could mount it without interfering with the paddle or pedal stroke.

I put the yak on the lawn and sitting in it with the finder up there, I think I can maybe barely reach the buttons when I am sitting in the seat - and have no idea if I am going to be able to see much detail on the screen or not.

To be honest, I never really see much fish most sonar anyway and NEVER catch the ones I do see.  My Humminbird nofish finder that I have had on my Trophy for the last 5 years only sees the bottom and occasionally a blip that may/may not be a fish.  The last couple of Sockeye fisheries we had in Lake Wa., I limited the boat every time I went out and never saw a thing - The lowrance on my brothers boat is a high dollar unit that sees lots of fish, but most of them are in the driveway when he forgets to turn it off......

Kidding aside, I fishing the salt I find I use the sonar mostly to identify drop offs, baitballs and hopefully an occasional fish to give me a target depth - I haven't used them much in fresh, shallow water - this will be a new experience if I actually see fish.

Spoonchucker

I mounted mine even farther away.  I use the blade of my paddle to turn it on and off and I have no problem seeing depth or fish on my display.

What does get tricky is getting to my rod which is right next to the FF.  After 5 or 6 hours of trolling the old body isn't as flexible as it is at the begining of the day...........   

One of the many things I have learned from others over the years is that the term 'fishfinder' is a misnomer.  I guess structure & depth finder was too much of a mouthful for marketing guys and us simple fisherman to handle.