Installing fish finder on pontoon boat

[fisher5]

I purchased a new pontoon boat and also a fish finder. Any tips out there for installing a fish finder on a pontoon boat. Is it best just to take it in? Appreciate any assistance. Thanks in advance

[JohnnyD]

Firs thing you need to do is find the waterline on your boat when you are on plane. This is important because you want the transducer to maintain contact with the water all the time in order to get a reading. The faster you go the less accurate the sonar will be come. However when crusing around it should always give you a bottom depth reading. This is essential in keeping you and you boat safe, by makig you aware of sudden depth changes.

Second thing you will need is a transducer mounting bracket. Follow this link:
http://m.cabelas.com/cabelas/product?cid=1256447&id=701430
It attaches to your hull with 2 screws. The transducer is than mounted to this bracket. Saving your hull from a whack load of screw holes. This also allows you to make adjustments until you get things set just right. I would also recommend applying 3m 5200 marine sealant to the back side of that bracket. This sealant will go rock hard and is designed for application below the water line. I can testify to its ability as I purchased a used boat this year and removed all the old brackets off the transom. Gob of 5200 plus a screw to plug the hole. Doesn't leak a drop.

On a final note and if my memory serves me correct you can order from cabelas.com and they will ship for free to any Cabelas store. Hope this helps!

[crosman177]

i have been wondering about this aswell, i was told to try out a portable fish finder. are they any good?

[TrollGRG]

I purchased a new pontoon boat and also a fish finder. Any tips out there for installing a fish finder on a pontoon boat. Is it best just to take it in? Appreciate any assistance. Thanks in advance

Are you talking about a flexible pontoon boat like a gigantic belly boat or one of those tin party boats?

If it is the belly boat style, there was a thread on here a couple of weeks ago about that - you should be able to find it with the search function.

[cube]

If there is no bracket already on the pontoon for mounting a transducer I would probably give something like this a try.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Portable-Transducer-Bracket/699847.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3D searchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProduc ts%26Ntt%3Dtransducer%2Bmounting%2Bbracket%26WTz_l %3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=transducer+mounting+bracket&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products Bass Pro shops also carries them.

The Fishin' Hole also carries something like it. (basically a rod clamp system). This is the one I have and I also use it for ice fishing. My one bit of advice is that the one at my Fishin' Hole location was not the high speed version and I would certainly get that one.

Good Luck

[cube]

If there is no bracket already on the pontoon for mounting a transducer I would probably give something like this a try.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Portable-Transducer-Bracket/699847.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3D searchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProduc ts%26Ntt%3Dtransducer%2Bmounting%2Bbracket%26WTz_l %3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=transducer+mounting+bracket&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products Bass Pro shops also carries them.

The Fishin' Hole also carries something like it. (basically a rod clamp system). This is the one I have and I also use it for ice fishing. My one bit of advice is that the one at my Fishin' Hole location was not the high speed version and I would certainly get that one.

Good Luck

The Fishin' Hole carries the Tite-Lok system The URL for the high speed version is below. You would get this then add the specific mounting plate for your transducer. This is if you do not having a mounting bracket already welded onto your pontoon of course.

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1pe9e/TheFishinHoleSummerC/resources/92.htm

http://www.titelok.com/product_info.php?cPath=18_21_37&products_id=129

http://www.titelok.com/index.php?cPath=18_21_37&sort=2a&page=1

Good Luck

[Fishonthefly]

I just took a 5 inch chunk of 2 1/2" PVC pipe and then ran a strap through it, with tightener, and wrapped it around the pontoon and Voila!

FOTF

[Tannerdog]

Grab an old electric motor and take the motor/prop off of it. Attach the transducer in its place and mount like an outboard/kicker. This allows easy removal if you want and adjustable depth and angle.

[dragon]

or you can get a bracket welded to the pontoon. MY boat came with the bracket and transducer for the depth finer.

[fisher5]

Greatly appreciate your feedback. Now I know what I am up against. Good luck fishing. Hope to have the pontoon boat full of kids fishing this weekend. Cheers