Sonar mounting.

[lockieboi]

How do people mount their fish finder sonars to their SIBs?

I was just going to mount the unit straight to the transom but wondered if there was a better way and if this would be deep enough.

Any ideas?

[Max...]

I wouldn't ever drill the transom if you don't have to, cable tie it to an existing fitting or fashion something or Sikaflex a fitting that can be removed adding a safety line too in case it fails.

[lockieboi]

My second thought was fixing it to a bit of plastic conduit and then fixing that to the bracket for the launch wheels.
May have to assemble the SIB tomorow and have a think.
Any other thoughts?

[kaman]

There's a lot of reluctance on the forum about drilling into the transom.
If it's done properly and sealed with sika flex you need not fear.
If it was me I'd drill and affix with stainless screws.
Job done!
No faffing around with brackets and lanyards etc.
Yours looks like the sonar detaches from the holding bracket - this will aid packing the sib away.

[stray]

Here's how I did it on the Zodiac;

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/fish-fi...blr-58925.html

my mates is mounted on a pole which fixes to the transom with 2 suction pads.

[lockieboi]

I'm not worried to much about drilling the transom, I have sikaflex but will this fitted to the transom be deep enough in the water to work?
Stray yours looks like a good option too, could you give me a bit more info on how you made it and some pictures to would be great.

[kaman]

Here's a pic of mine mounted to the transom.
It's a Garmin unit.
The instructions state to mount so that the sonar unit protrudes 10 - 15 mm below the lowest edge of the part of the transom to which it is mounted.
Mines works a treat as depicted.
Can be easily removed leaving just the small mounting bracket permanently affixed to the transom.
An old cloth duct taped over the bracket protects the sib and the bracket itself from damage when the Sib is deflated and packed away.

[Peter_C]

Mount it on the starboard side away from prop wash. Personally I have no problems drilling holes as long as they are sealed. Below is my setup. My sonar unit is flipped up to clear the trailer straps. I have a very busy transom.

[lockieboi]

Thanks for the pictures guys.
That looks like the simplest option, I think I'll go with that.

[The Bass Stalker]

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Mount it on the starboard side away from prop wash. Personally I have no problems drilling holes as long as they are sealed. Below is my setup. My sonar unit is flipped up to clear the trailer straps. I have a very busy transom.

Prop wash, what is that? I have mine on the port side and works ok until going fast, when it breaks up a bit. Could this be why? Should I get a perfect read even at 20 knts? Making me wonder now. Thanks

[kaman]

Prop wash, what is that? I have mine on the port side and works ok until going fast, when it breaks up a bit. Could this be why? Should I get a perfect read even at 20 knts? Making me wonder now. Thanks


Bass stalker my set up is mounted starboard as recommended in manufacturers guidelines.
At planing speeds it reads depth accurately but the remainder becomes hazy.
Haven't seen one yet that works perfectly at speed.
I have heard through the angling club that some of the top end fish finders work at speed but they cost a fortune.???

[The Bass Stalker]

Thanks. Oops, never read guide. Mine sounds the same though, even though on port side.. Depth shows 90% of the time. So seems like it's as good as it gets unless spending thousands.

[john noon]

I have a post for mounting the sonar head. This is slid into a bracket with a loose fit, then a handle is attached to keep it from falling out.

By tilting the head I have cheap side scan sonar. Kind if works and much cheaper than a unit with side scan feature.

The mounting bracket is attached with stainless fasteners at the top of the transom and is normally dry

[lockieboi]

Thanks for the replies.

I drilled it in the end and was very generous with the sikaflex!

[Peter_C]

Lockieboi, if you notice any disturbance, move the sensor inboard a little away from the tube, as it may cause water push over the sensor, causing a false reading.

[scubaqua]

I have my sonar sensor IN the bildge. No drilling, always at every speed a profile and no extra sprayline. The only thing which is not correct: the watertem, because it's the temp of the bildge water and not of the external water.

Tied is first with a lose sensor (blocked it with some small sandbags) The bildgepump not directly on the bottom but a bit higher, and the sensor always works.

Than fixed it with sikaflex...

[lockieboi]

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Lockieboi, if you notice any disturbance, move the sensor inboard a little away from the tube, as it may cause water push over the sensor, causing a false reading.

I had a feeling someone was going to comment on where it was mounted.
I fitted it there to clear the launch wheels and afterwards I looked back on here and saw a couple of you had mounted yours inside the launch wheels.

Thanks for the tip, I'll be trying it out next week in the Solent.

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by lockieboi

I fitted it there to clear the launch wheels and afterwards I looked back on here and saw a couple of you had mounted yours inside the launch wheels.

Those darn launch wheels get in the way...as does my elephant trunk. These little boats just don't have a lot of room on the transoms. I had to mount my sonar unit within a few milli-meters of the launching wheel brackets. The launching wheel brackets are also outboard as far as possible. My tie down strap barely clears the folded up sonar unit. So yes, I understand the lack of space...