pattent pending

So here is my latest idea.  I'm posting it here now because I would like a little critique on the concept before I start cutting..

Basically its an extending arm mount for a fishfinder.  It will be completely watertight  and mounted in the back of the sonar compartment on Ocean Kayaks.  

All the cables will be mounted through the shaft of the extending portion.

The internal housing will consist of a sealed, straight flush mount rod holder.  
The tube will rest on top of the battery bag.
The tube will extend down at an angle but will not contact the hull or Fishing rods that may be stored inside it.
 
I guess my first question is Do they make these already??  and if so where can I buy one
Brian

Sorry , the picture shows the battery on top of the housing tube..should have been under it..The picture is WAYYY  off of scale as well.
Brian

The ET mount! cool idea B.

Z

Ummm ... why not just mount it on the rod pod?

-Allen

Rod pod mounting dislikes:
1.  deck looks cluttered
2. cables in/through rod pod (I like it tidy)
3. mount might break off the first time haul lingzilla aboard (who am I kidding here).
4. surf launch/land pointed-object-factor (even with the head unit stored).
5. harder to shimmy up to the front hatch while trying to avoid the mount.

Brian

Cool idea, and the flush mount should fit just about right.  I just went out and held up my spare flush mount near the sonar shield area and it looks like a good fit as you illustrated.  My biggest question is what do you plan to use for the extension arm that can be sturdy enough to support the head unit out that far, not want to spin on ya, and be able to collapse back into the confines of the tube? 

You are definitely on to something though!

I plan on using a Home Depot telescopic magnetic pick up tool.  its very sturdy, the right length of 20", and the best part is it only requires a little twist to the right to tighten and then a bit of a twist to the left to loosen making it infinitely adjustable. The hard part seems to be transforming the tip of it (minus the huge magnet attachment) into a sturdy mounting system.


Brian

Perhaps something like this ... http://www.xshotpix.com/kayakmount.php

Jeff (waterwolfQCI) got them to make this or kayak fishing.  Perhaps they could do a similar mod for mounting FFs.

-Allen

Yeah that's pretty sweet!  Only thing wrong with it is not being able to push in the FF and close the sonar shield

Now this on the other hand........

JB weld worked great to bond  the 1/2"  capped shaft to the mounting plate
Full write up comming as soon as I get it mounted and wired.
Brian

Hmmmm?   

Now that I see what you have for the extension tube, I'm concerned that one or two trips in the salt, or a shower of sand, and that thing is gunna lock up on ya something fierce. 

But, don't let that concern stop you from giving it a good college try.  I'me root'in for ya here. 

can't tell what you're using there, but how about one of the paint-roller extentions? Just cut to fit and it should work out for ya, at least short term. 

I worry about things being too tall once you have it extended to where you want to reach it.

can't tell what you're using there, but how about one of the paint-roller extentions? Just cut to fit and it should work out for ya, at least short term.  

I worry about things being too tall once you have it extended to where you want to reach it.

I looked at those.  I just could not find one that I could adjust one handed.  This will come almost half way up my rod pod and about 3-4 inches up (from bottom of screen).

Hmmmm?  

Now that I see what you have for the extension tube, I'm concerned that one or two trips in the salt, or a shower of sand, and that thing is gunna lock up on ya something fierce.  

But, don't let that concern stop you from giving it a good college try.  I'me root'in for ya here.  

Yeah your right.  One thing I think I'll add is some pool noodle for the flushmount where the shaft passes through it( for sand).  The tube itself is watertight but sand would ruin the locking mechanism pretty quick I suppose
Thanks!
Brian

Just an update...

I temporarily installed the "ET" FF mount last night.  I had to shave the bottom of my mount about 1/16 inch at an angle so it would clear the front of the rod pod without any trouble.  I could have just left it alone but it may have put unnecessary stress on the shaft.  The wires issue problem still needs to be addressed.  I think a bungee cord anchored to the sonar shield and to the power/ducer wires may work well to keep things neat.  I'll have to experiment with the stretch lengths.

The head unit sits rock steady 3" above my rod pod. The one hand twist-lock system works perfect.  The screen stops at about 25% up the length of the rod pod.  I was originally aiming for 1/2 way up but it would have been too high like the Nothing brought up.  I think I have a good balance of reachability and fishing room now.

I can push the mount flush to the back of the sonar area and I can close the sonar shield about 95%.  I was going for 100% but the geometry of it all was not in my favor .

 

Cool idea.  I'm really enjoying watching this unfold!

Perhaps something like this ... http://www.xshotpix.com/kayakmount.php

Jeff (waterwolfQCI) got them to make this or kayak fishing.  Perhaps they could do a similar mod for mounting FFs.

-Allen

Thanks for pointing that product out polepole! That solves a lot of my problems.