Surf Launch/f Fish finder ???

The last time I fished at PC I rolled my kayak coming in with my fish finder installed and fried my fish finder.  Argh!!     I now have a new Lowrance elite 5 chirp fish finder.  I 'm thinking of removing my fish finder during launches and landings and storing it in a waterproof case.  I'm trying to figure out the best way to seal the plug ends temporarily when they're disconnected from the unit.  I would like to keep them dry.  I.m thinking of duct seal or a similar product to seal the ends.   Do I even need to worry about it if I use Dielectic grease?  Thanks

I couldn't worry about it if you have dielectric grease. When I've feelings smart(usually only on landings) I stick mine in a try bag in the hull.

Mine gets soaked during most launches as I'm busting through waves. Didn't know they were very vulnerable to getting ruined by water.  Anyone else have this happen?  Am I really risking it?

I use cheap Eagle sonars and I have them on short RAM arms and fold them down in the surf zone. The connections are sealed with dielectric grease. One has 9 years of surf launches and still works great. My hummingbirds, I remove the sonar head and stow it in a dry bag in the surf zone. I owned a cheap Lowrance and did the same as my Eagles and it lasted a year.

I've never had any problems before.  This was the first time I rolled the kayak landing.  I had a Lowrance Elite 4 DSI.that was about 2 1/2 years old. The card slot was gooped, dielectric grease on the terminals and it was fused.  I don't think I'm going to chance it anymore at least coming in.

I've never had any problems before.  This was the first time I rolled the kayak landing.  I had a Lowrance Elite 4 DSI.that was about 2 1/2 years old. The card slot was gooped, dielectric grease on the terminals and it was fused.  I don't think I'm going to chance it anymore at least coming in.

That's the same Lowrance I had except it didn't have a card slot. Second surf wipe out and it was history. If I had a really nice sonar I would definitely stow it.

Was the unit in a position that it could have hit the sand while your ride was tanning it's hull? Mine sits right I front of my pole holder and when I went through the spin cycle I noticed my rod holder had sand in a perfect circle from digging into the beach but my FF was fine , Lawrence 4? with duct tape over the card slot and hell I drown it in a bucket of fresh water when I'm cleaning my gear. I'm positive if the rod holder didn't act as a roll bar mine would have been toast.

Mine gets soaked during most launches as I'm busting through waves. Didn't know they were very vulnerable to getting ruined by water.  Anyone else have this happen?  Am I really risking it?

In my opinion, yes, you are.  They're "waterproof" but they aren't surf proof.  There are lots of forces that can impact a FF during launch and landing, and it's best to have it inside the hull.  Most companies will repair/warranty it if water gets in and fries it, but then you're still out of a FF for at least a few weeks.

For the most part I would calll them very highly water RESISTANT.  I had a harpooned halibut rip if my ff and I didn't notice it was submerged for a minute or two while still powered.  Still works but I did notice on the next hot day their was moisture (fogging) under the glass. 

If I ever get a high end larger unit, I might consider stowing it but that seems like too much work for this lazy kid.  My finder gets soaking wet everytime the wind is more than 10knts in my outback.  So far so good but I also don't expectations that its going to last me a decade.  I'll be happy if I get three years out of it. 

Noah and I both lost Lowrance Mark 4s within a couple of weeks of each other in hulis at PC. Both were replaced under warranty. Un-gooped and un-taped SD slots were the culprit. However, I think Lee described it best, they are not surf-proof, and they need every bit of protection you can provide. Leave the connectors in, put in a padded plastic bag with a twist tie around the cords to waterproof it as much as possible, and stow it in the hull. Surf landings are really hard on all your gear, but especially electronics...

I fried 2 Hummnibirds, but my cheapie Eagle Cuda has been going strong for 7+ years.  I don't regularly wipe out in the surf (until I just posted that, I'm sure!)

Dave

Better take a helmet for sure now.

Prior to landing or launching through surf, I put my electronics (Lowrance Elite 3x, Garmin GPS, phone) in a small dry bag.  That said a modern fishfinder should be able to withstand a roll in the surf without water damage.  Bad on Lowrance for the card slot vulnerablity. 

I usually have my Eagle Cuda 250 head unit stored in my kill bag, or in the hull in a dry bag during surf launches.
Still buzzing strong since 2008 and used on 3... wait make that 4 kayaks now.   

Really it comes down to your yak.  Like many have said you should do what you can to protect your electronics, especially if you have a nice pricey unit.  Personally on my Hobie I have an extra RAM ball mounted on the bottom side of my front hatch.  I mount my fish finder on this, which is in the hull during launches and landings.  On my Prowler I would stow my ff in a water proof case inside the hull during launches and landings. On top of that I use a cigar case with a paper towel stuffed in it for extra precaution for the power cable.  Also all my connections are covered with dielectric grease.  Just my 2*!

I have a Ray Marine Dragonfly. I rolled outside of Depoe Bay and it took me at least 5 minutes to get the transducer pointing in the right direction because i was trying to salvage gear that was still semi floating. I was concerned that the unit would be damaged being underwater for so long but when the kayak was finally flipped right side up, the finder was still working great.