Ride 135 ff install Done! with pics...

[Guitlucky]

I know, This question, and many like it have been asked a LOT on the forums. I am, and will do some more research by searching threads, and such.
But, just to toss another line out, Does anybody have any advice for installing a humminbird pirahnamax 170 on an '07 wilderness systems ride 135?
I am also stuck trying to decide wether or not I want the transducer in the hull, or outside of it.
I sure am a lucky guy! Wifey got it for me for Christmas!!!!

[FishingSETX]

Depends on your application. If you plan to keep the yak a while and just use the ff on that yak, I'd mount it inside. If you plan to be swapping it around quite often, Id mount it outside.

Inside the yak, its protected. Yaks get thrown around much more than a boat, and if you mount it permanently outside the yak, it can and will get knocked off or broken. Only negative is that the temp will not be exactly correct.

If it was mine, Id either mount it inside the yak or on a temporary mount outside the yak (not to the yak itself). I wouldn't suggest screwing it to the yak in any way.

Do a search as there is TONS of info on different mounting suggestions on this board. (ou know it was coming )

[F4Gator]

I mounted my Humminbird 170 transducer inside the hull, in a level spot underneath the seat. I plan on only using the FF on this yak, so a permanent installation works for me. I mounted the FF on a Scotty Piranha mount and a Scotty triple mounting bar. I used a 3/4" Liquid Tite Fitting to pass the cables through the hull. I sealed everything with Marine Goop. It took ~ 2 hours for the installation and a day to let the Goop dry. Seems to be working OK.

[Mojo227]

When mounting in the hull,how much does it throw off the temp?

[Guitlucky]

Thanks guys!
I think Im going with the exterior transducer mounting. I did some research, and found something written up where a guy used some pvc conduit on the side that he could lift up when necessary. That was definately appealing.(plus I should still get accurate temp readings)
Also, I am starting off with the 8 AA battery power supply, and if I dont like it, I will go to a 12 volt sealed rechargeable.
I've already fabricated a mount to fit on my scotty base for the upper unit.
Ill post pictures as soon as Im done.

[habanerojooz]

When mounting in the hull,how much does it throw off the temp?

I use the DF temperature as a general reading and the accuracy is close enough for me. I look at the water temp in the morning and several times throughout the day. I'm noticing how much it changes over time...morning to midday to afternoon. I also notice if one area might have a noticeably different temp than a previous area.

I guess I've never worried that my hull mounted transducer might produce a different water temperature reading than an external, in-water mounted transducer would provide. If it is different at all, I'm guessing it may by only vary by a degree or two and that doesn't bother me.

This is sort of like questioning your DF's depth reading....i.e. is it 3.8' deep or is it 4.1' deep?

[FishingSETX]

When mounting in the hull,how much does it throw off the temp?

I use the DF temperature as a general reading and the accuracy is close enough for me. I look at the water temp in the morning and several times throughout the day. I'm noticing how much it changes over time...morning to midday to afternoon. I also notice if one area might have a noticeably different temp than a previous area.

I guess I've never worried that my hull mounted transducer might produce a different water temperature reading than an external, in-water mounted transducer would provide. If it is different at all, I'm guessing it may by only vary by a degree or two and that doesn't bother me.

This is sort of like questioning your DF's depth reading....i.e. is it 3.8' deep or is it 4.1' deep?

When I had one mounted in my yak, It could vary by 15-20 degrees throughout the day even when the water temp stayed pretty constant. this was due to the sun heating the interior of the yak. I've seen them read 90+ on summer days when I know the water temp is much lower. All depends on the water temp, sun exposure, color of the yak, where its mounted, etc. I've also seen 2 degrees make a huge difference in fish activity as well as 0.2 ft. Thats not always the case, but sometimes the little things make a huge difference. Kinda like lure color. Most of the time it doesnt matter much, but when it matters, it REALLY matters!

[Guitlucky]

O.K., I got it done!
First thing I did was make the upper unit mounting bracket. I have access to tools,and a shop, and like saving money ha ha. I used an expandable boat plug, some lexan, and couple of screws and washers...



And the arm. I can and will not take credit for this idea. I did some research and found s thread where someone else did this, and I liked it. I did add my own touches though..


Nicely soldered wire connection..

and the whole thing, Done!

[TexomaB]

That is awesome! Nice job!

[Aggroman]

Nice job, looks great!

[fish dirty]

I did that for a little while,the tranducer mounted that way causes to much drag for me.I moved it inside the hatch. Just make sure if you decide to put it in your hatch that you put it in the middle because the front is not always in the water,made that mistake once.Nice set up.

[Guitlucky]

Thanks!
Yeah, I thought about the drag problem.
But, the beauty of the design is, its real easy to pull up and out of the way if I really want to get on it, and I can just drop it back down if I want to casually cruise around and scan the bottom.
I have a bungee to hold it up for transportation, or hard paddling, and I made a set pin to hold it in position while in the water. Both should be easy enough to operate while underway.
I was going to put it inside the hatch, but honestly there isnt much of a flat surface to work with in there. Plus, Even if the temp is off by only a degree or two, I didnt want to feel like I wasnt getting the most out of it.
If I end up deciding it absolutely needs to be inside, I can just use that scotty mount that would be left there for a 360 light later on. No harm, no foul.

[LikiTiki]

Have you put that yak in the water yet?

[Guitlucky]

Have you put that yak in the water yet?

Ha ha Yessir, I took it up to Rebecca creek about a week after we traded to check it out and see how it floated. Quite nice! Thanks again, by the way!
I had most of the "accesories" already from the mini-x (you can imagine that boat was a bit crowded!) and the wife got me the fish finder for christmas. I swear, sometimes I wonder if I dont like setting them up more than I do fishing out of them!
You got a chance to take your boat out yet?