What Is Kayak Transducer Mount (And 4 Methods To Mount A Kayak Transducer)

Fact Checked By James A Rockey | Post Updated On: December 7, 2022
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A transducer mounting scheme for sit-on-top fishing kayaks equipped with scupper holes is what is referred to as a kayak transducer mount. The Lowrance kayak scupper transducer mount is ideal for almost all transducers. It is effortless to connect in almost all scupper openings with limited gears and with no disordered adhesives.

Key Takeaways

  • In order to mount a transducer inside a kayak hull, you require to prepare the area first and then clean it with rubbing spirit or alcohol
  • You can mount a kayak transducer via the scupper hole, in the hull, on the back close the rudder, or via a moveable kit with a suction cup transducer
  • A Transducer needs to be in the water to keep it cool because it produces considerable heat
  • According to statistics, a transducer can last for 10-20 years

Can You Mount A Transducer Inside A Kayak?

Yes. This is because the kayak is made of plastic. Hence the transducer is capable of shooting the beam via the plastic into the water without much trouble.

To mount a transducer inside a kayak hull, you require to prepare the area first and then clean it with rubbing spirit or alcohol.  Any dirt or dust particles that get in the way will cause image disturbance.

Once you are done with cleaning, apply a slight amount of silicone or marine goop, and stick the transducer in it. Once the silicone sets, the transducer will be fixed, and now you will be ready to go.

Where Do You Mount A Kayak Transducer?

The ways you can mount a transducer comprises via the scupper hole, in the hull, on the back close the rudder, or via a moveable kit with a suction cup transducer.

Here is detailed information about each method.

Method 1- In the Hull

This is the most preferred method by the people. YouTube and forums as well use this similar technique of mounting.

Steps:

1. Expose a trapdoor of the kayak. Then select an excellent, level plug on the hull as a site for the transducer. If the kayak does not possess any way to reach the shell, you ought to take another mounting method instead.

2. Use the spirit or alcohol to clean the plug on the hull thoroughly. Ensure there is an absence of dirt, debris, or grime where you will mount.

3. Twig your transducer. Individuals mostly prefer to create “housing” for the sensor to enhance their safety.  To achieve it, get yourself a pool noodle. Make a 2 to 3-inch-thick portion of a pond noodle. Use a sharpie to identify the figure of the transducer in the midpoint. Use a jagged knife to censor the figure of the sensor and place it in the cut.

4. Smear silicone or marine goop generously in the exterior of the transducer and house the zone you earlier gutted with the spirit. Ensure there isn’t the presence of air bubbles trapped in the goop, as the air foams will harshly affect the interpretations.  Smear a portion of channel tape to the upper part of the transducer, to retain it safe on the hull while the goop desiccates.

5. Put the sensor on the goop and use channel tape to ensure it is down. Once it completes desiccating, you may opt to eradicate the tape. You may as well choose to smear a small amount of marine goop on the upper part of your transducer. Wait for nearly 24 to 48 hours until it desiccates.

6. Track the wire up via the hole and bring the cable out by using a watertight fitting. This is done so that the cord can wad into the fish locater component ideally.

NOTE: You may connect a transducer using this same technique with no need to create any housing. So, it is a matter of personal preference.

Method 2- Via the Scupper Hole

If you are looking for an innovative method, then this is the one. The disadvantage of this technique is that one of the scupper holes becomes plugged up; therefore, you ought to find alternative means to gutter the water from the kayak.

In case you have no attitude for a DIY scheme, Lowrance creates a scupper mount that you simply place a transducer on and twig via a scupper hole.  Although they termed it destined for Lowrance only, with the involvement of creativity, you can as well put Humminbird or a Garmin transducer.

The DIY Scupper Hole Transducer Mount

1. Look for a PVC tube with equivalent dimensions like the scupper hole (Usually 3/4’’)

2. Put the transducer mount in the PVC tube, and create a spot in line with the hole on the transducer mount 

3. Make a hole via the pipe

4. Censored off around ½ inch profound on the flanks of the hole – So you will be having two cut-off parts in front of one another, and two holes are fronting one another.

5. Place the transducer in the censored place. Ensure to track the cable via the pipe and that it’s penetrating up to the upper part. Bolt the sensor via the hole you formed. 

6. Twig the tube via the scupper hole while ensuring the transducer twigs out about one inch underneath the lowest part of your kayak

7. Cover the tube at the lowest by use of tube insulation

8. Cover the pipe at the upper part using a lid- this works correctly even if the cable is stabbing out beneath the closure.

9. Now you are ready to go!

Method 3 – On the Back Close The Rudder

1. On the posterior end of the kayak, select a level part and mount a plastic or metal bowl around 3-inch extensive and a bit shorter when compared to your kayak

2. Have the improvised transom. Base the transducer on the platter. Ensure it is slightly higher than the bottom of your kayak or the rudder. So, if you happen to hit a stone or any object, the base will crash instead of a transducer.

3. On the upper part of the kayak, run the wire to any position you opt to base the fish locater. Ensure you secure the wire down using twist-ties or clamps.

4. You are done.

Method 4- Use A Moveable Gear With A Suction Cup Transducer

If you are looking for the most convenient method, then this is the one. It might be a little bit costly because portable kits are more expensive than ordinary ones. The gear comes along with a battery, and with the help of the bungee strings in your kayak, you can secure them. The transducer can be mounted in whichever place you desire by a suction cup. Once it’s over, remove it out of the water and place it in the bag. Now you have to wind up the work.

Does A Transducer Need To Be In The Water?

Yes. Multi-element chirp transducers produce considerable heat, so they require to be immersed in water while working to keep it cool. This is a concern for trailer boaters who leave the sonar on after placing the boat on the trailer. So, it is advisable to turn off the sonar before you pull the boat out of the water.

How Does A Transducer Last?

According to statistics, a transducer can last for 10-20 years. However, there are two ways the sensors might fail. These include:

Transducer Face Scarring

The surface of the transducer ought to look like a new car finish- smooth and shiny. If you run through the lake at high speed and impact abrasive floating objects such as weeds or sticks with zebra mussels, then you will damage the transducer face. Also, pulling with entire road grits will highly contribute to the scarring of the transducer face. So, you should inspect the front of your transducer and polish it if it is rough.

Electronic Connections

The reason behind the broken and noisy transducer is water intrusion into the cable or sensor. Water entry cannot hurt the connections, but if it wicks into the correct place, it could offer a short circuit path between the link. Due to that, the performance of the transducer will degrade permanently.

How Do I Keep Barnacles Off My Transducer?

There are several types and makes of the transducer, in various shapes, made from different materials. There are as well numerous different types, ages, and sizes of barnacles, and surprisingly varies depending on which body of water they grew in.  So, you need to know the kind of barnacles and transducer first.

As a general answer, you can use Aurora Algex. Spray it on and allow it to work for around ½ an hour. It will soften the barnacles, and hence can be scraped off easily. If the growth is a little bit heavy, you might require several applications. Use a wooden or plastic scraper for you do not damage the transducer. Once the barnacle shells are off, you re-spray and wait for them to dissolve and soften the adhesive ring. You can continue doing so until it is clean.

Kayak Transducer Install 

Final Words

There is no doubt each kayak enthusiast would like to know more questions relating to kayak transducer mount.  This is to enable them to have first-hand information before making a purchase. Nothing hurts more than failure to understand all about your equipment. So, read the article, for an informed decision about the kayak transducer mount.

References:

  • https://tiltfishing.com/how-to-mount-a-transducer-to-a-kayak-6-simple-ways/
  • https://humminbird-help.johnsonoutdoors.com/hc/en-us/articles/4413216469911-How-to-Mount-a-Transducer-on-a-Kayak

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