Quote:
Originally Posted by FreddoFly
Thanks Idaman...
I thought this through and after *much* reading, I want to have the transducer in the water. Portability too so it can be use on my son's boat (although the kayak is top priority). I heard that having the transducer in the water is more accurate and give water temps better. The reason for the arm is so I can easily lift the transducer out of the water to land the kayak, weedy areas, etc. The magnetic mount is a good idea but I'd need to get into the hull and that's an option ($80 for the mod) but still leaning toward the arm.
Best regards - Freddo
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If you properly install transducer in hull there will be minimal signal loss. Signal loss is usually due to an installation error. Water temps don't work well because boat hull etc has to cool down/warm up to water temp before they are accurate(but I don't consider water temp very important here so personally wouldn't worry about that).
One simple and cheap method that is also easily removable is to use electrical duct seal. You can flatten it to a thin layer, press firmly onto bottom of kayak and then press transducer into it. Fold edges back over transducer to hold it in place and lasts for quite a while. You want it thin and most importantly absolutely no air bubbles(in the putty itself or between kayak and putty or putty and transducer). Only costs $3 so if it doesn't work to your satisfaction throw it away and try a different method.
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.d...000406595.html
The arms do work, I use a homemade one myself. The only reason I use it though is because I use side imaging and a side imaging transducer pretty much needs to be down in the water(sonar and down imaging can work fine in hull). The arm works but the drag is annoying, my hobie with rudder helps accommodate this drag but on a paddle kayak I think it would be very annoying as kayak would always want to turn.
There are also thru scupper mounts that you can consider too depending on the kayak and transducer you use. If you want to get fancy you can do something like that and then figure out a way to build a plastic shield to protect it(if necessary). Sonar shoots through plastic fairly easily and with little to no signal loss.