What's a good fish finder that can be quickly mounted/dismounted on a rental boat? (Page 4): I cut the Bass Pro Shops' clamp and used a couple of pieces of aluminum as a mending plates...

KG Loc: Treasure Coast, Florida

I cut the Bass Pro Shops' clamp and used a couple of pieces of aluminum as a mending plates to extend the clamp's max grab depth. This should be enough for a fiberglass transom. We'll see if it holds.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

KG wrote:

I cut the Bass Pro Shops' clamp and used a couple of pieces of aluminum as a mending plates to extend the clamp's max grab depth. This should be enough for a fiberglass transom. We'll see if it holds.

Looks good KG, when you mount it, adjust the depth so only the bottom 2/3 of the transducer is below the bottom edge of the hull. It should work fine.

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

I know I'm beating this subject to death but I'm really using all your ideas to come up with a "truly portable" set up. If I'm lucky I get one chance each year to go up north fishing. Last time me and the kids got skunked so it was their idea to all chip in for a fish finder. That most recent setup from KG looks like what I need. We rent a pontoon so I need a long setup and KG modified his. I need to get from the boat rail to I think just below the pontoon itself. Another stupid question, which way should the transducer face? It looks like the transducer should face the back so it's aerodynamic(hydrodynamic?) Can I then travel at spead with it in the water or should I lift it out of the water when moving. There is no trolling.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

mistred64 wrote:

I know I'm beating this subject to death but I'm r... (show quote)

The bracket is on the front end Ed, as it normally screws to the transom. Most of the pontoon boats I see, have the railings mounted inside the perimeter of the pontoons themselves. You would probably be better off clamping to the deck in the bow, between the pontoons.

Since its just clamped on, I would raise it up at speed. Water pressure against it would be extreme.

Here's one that can clamp to horizontal as well as vertical surfaces.

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

Fred, I think you've put the pieces together. I never thought to mount it to the front thus eliminating the need for a long bracket. Do you think the pontoons could cause interference? How far below the pontoons should we go with the transducer? My son and I were looking at that bracket earlier thinking this could work somehow. Thank you. I'm open to anymore ideas or opinions from you all. Thanks.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

mistred64 wrote:

Fred, I think you've put the pieces together. I never thought to mount it to the front thus eliminating the need for a long bracket. Do you think the pontoons could cause interference? How far below the pontoons should we go with the transducer? My son and I were looking at that bracket earlier thinking this could work somehow. Thank you. I'm open to anymore ideas or opinions from you all. Thanks.

The signal from the TD radiates in a cone shape (/\) below the boat. The farther away from the pontoons the shallower it can be.
If you were permanently mounting it to a pontoon, it would have to be below the bottom 3/4"or so, but since you're not it just has to be in the water, whenever you're fishing.

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

Fredfish wrote:

The signal from the TD radiates in a cone shape (/\) below the boat. The farther away from the pontoons the shallower it can be.
If you were permanently mounting it to a pontoon, it would have to be below the bottom 3/4"or so, but since you're not it just has to be in the water, whenever you're fishing.

I understand all that. Thanks Fred. Have a good evening.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

mistred64 wrote:

I understand all that. Thanks Fred. Have a good evening.

You're welcome Ed, good luck,and have a pleasant evening.

Maximo Loc: Jupiter, Fl

Good idea. I’m interested in a boat club, too. Probably some answers on YouTube.

KG Loc: Treasure Coast, Florida

Maximo wrote:

Good idea. I’m interested in a boat club, too. Probably some answers on YouTube.

Check out JetRide. They have a location in Jupiter. That's the club I'm using. Switched from another club. So far I really like their reservation system.