Modern fishing involves the use of many different techniques, equipment. Fishfinder appeared on the market of specialized products relatively recently. Today, almost everyone can buy it. This device is designed to determine the topography of the bottom, the depth of the reservoir, the presence of fish. This opens up new opportunities for fishermen in the fishing process.
Many fans of the presented type of recreation are interested in how to make the mounting of the echo sounder sensor with your own hands. This technique will be discussed in the article.
General information
Mounting the sounder sensor to the boat can be done with your own hands. It should be noted that the presented device has been used by fishermen for more than three decades. During this time, the configuration and capabilities of the equipment have improved significantly. The scope of delivery includes a mount for the sonar sensor. However, it is worth considering one nuance.
The mount, which is supplied by the equipment manufacturer, will allow you to mount the sensor (transducer) once. It will not be possible to rearrange it to another boat. Also, stationary mounting does not suit the owners of PVC inflatable boats. Therefore, many owners of this equipment begin to look for a way out.
On sale are removable mounts that make it easy to unfasten the sounder sensor from a swimming means. However, many fishermen seek to save. In this case, such a mount can be created independently. This device will allow you to remove the transducer at any time, install it on another boat or safely transport the equipment home.
Basic principles of fastening
You should create a mount for the sounder sensor on the transom of the boat. It is on this part of the swimming facility that the transducer is most often mounted. A transom is a stern flat section of a swimming vehicle. Outboard motors are mounted here. Transom boards may have a number of characteristics. This must be taken into account before installation.
Transom can be suspended and stationary. The second option is more common. Such a transom can be installed on boats or boats with a rigid hull. Also, a number of PVC watercraft models have a similar type of feed cut. If the boat is small, it may have a hanging transom.
This part of the boat is the most convenient area for mounting the bracket for the sonar sensor. Tranec is located in close proximity to the water. A stationary mount for the transducer is installed here. Removable brackets are also recommended for mounting on a transom board.
Mounting Options
The transponder can be mounted on the transom in two ways. In the first case, the equipment is installed using the factory bracket. It should be noted that it is most often not included in the delivery package of the echo sounder. The mount provided by the manufacturer is intended for the main unit of the device.
When choosing a factory bracket in a fishing store, it is necessary to take into account the design features of the boat, the installation location. In this case, you need to buy a metal holder. It is most often made of stainless steel. The material should be well processed. Otherwise, it quickly collapses under the influence of water.
The second option when installing the transducer is to create a do-it-yourself bracket. In this case, the owner of the boat can take into account the features of his boat. The sensor in this case will be installed in a suitable area. Home-made fasteners will save on the purchase of a factory bracket.
Simple factory-made bracket
With the development of electronics for fishing, a universal mount for the echo sounder sensor has appeared . It is a bracket that is mounted on the boat using self-tapping screws. The bolt and nut hold the transducer. This is a rather inconvenient device.
When using the stationary universal bracket, you have to drill holes directly in the transom board. If you need to install a different sensor holder, you will need to drill holes in other places. The sensor in this case must be constantly mounted and dismantled. Otherwise, it may be damaged during transportation.
Therefore, the universal mount is constantly being improved. Today, more sophisticated designs are presented on the market for special fishing products. Most often, a clamp is used for this purpose, which has a telescopic design.
Purchased Popular Mounts
Mounting the sounder sensor to a PVC boat can be done using a purchased TK-550 type aluminum bracket. This appliance is universal. It is suitable for any small boat design. The presented design can be installed in any part of the transom board.
After assembly, the presented system allows you to install the sensor in the optimal transom location. This increases its information content. The system will allow you to smoothly adjust the depth at which the transducer is immersed. The sensor in this case can be of any design.
The stainless steel bracket DT-150H is also in demand. It is also mounted on the transom with a clamp. This is a solid, reliable mount. The connectors included with the bracket allow you to install a sensor of any type of design. This system allows you to adjust the immersion depth and the slope of the tube.
Other popular mounts
Popular among fishermen is the universal mount of the Humminbird sounder sensor . This brand delivers suction cup brackets to the market for specialized products. This is an original design that is suitable for the XNT sensors manufactured by Humminbird. The sensor is easily mounted and dismantled.
For rubber boats, a KRL-300 mount is recommended. The presented model is a more advanced version of the TK-550. It allows you to install almost any transducer on board rubber or PVC boats without a transom.
Instead of a clamp, a special part is supplied for the type of fastening presented. This is a support element that is made of plastic. The material for the manufacture of the bracket is highly durable. The supporting part is mounted on board the boat with glue (included).
Self fixing
Do-it-yourself mounting of the echo sounder sensor on the transom can be stationary or removable. The choice depends on the type of boat, the features of the equipment. If the fisherman has one boat, the echo sounder is used only on it, you can glue the holder directly to the material of the swimming means.
An arm purchased or manufactured independently, in this case, is stationary attached to the structure using epoxy glue. This option is suitable for boat owners in rubber or PVC. To remove the bracket in this case will no longer work. He will stay on the boat.
If the swimmer has a wooden or plastic transom, you can attach the holder to it using self-tapping screws. It will not be possible to adjust the position of the sensor in this case. He will be constantly in the same place. This mounting option has several disadvantages. Therefore, fishermen often use other methods of installation of equipment.
Floating transducer
Mounting the sounder sensor to a PVC boat or from rubber that does not have a transom can be done using the method below. This design is used mainly in reservoirs without currents.
To create a floating structure for the sensor, you will need to attach a fishfinder body to the bench. In such designs of swimming facilities, the presence of seats is mandatory.
The sensor needs to be attached to a plastic bottle. The wire will run along its neck. Installation can be done using tape or electrical tape. The resulting design can be launched.
The fishfinder wire is strong enough. Therefore, its additional strengthening is not required. If you need to deepen the sensor, water is collected in the bottle. The immersion level of the sensor depends on its quantity. This is a simple but effective design.
Homemade removable holder
Do-it-yourself mounting the sounder sensor with your own hands is simple. In this case, the bracket can be removable. This is one of the best fastening options for PVC boats and rigid-boat floating equipment. This bracket will allow you to adjust the position of the sensor.
To make the presented design yourself, you need to prepare a number of materials. The presented bracket is made of a metal pipe. A metal-plastic pipe will be required. It should have a diameter of about 1.5 cm and a length of 1 m. The metal pipe should have a diameter of 1.6 cm. A plastic hose will be placed in it.
Also, prepare 2 clamps, a clamp, a cotter pin. During installation, rubber gaskets will be required. These elements are cut from a bicycle chamber. You should also purchase M4 bolts and nuts. They will need 4 pcs.
Create a mount
In order to mount the sounder sensor on the transom , it is necessary to assemble the structure from the above materials. A metal pipe will need to be attached to the clamp. Its length should be 40 cm. 2 clamps are used for installation. Rubber pads are also used.
A metal-plastic tube must be inserted into the mounted metal pipe. Flatten her bottom. So the inside does not slip out of the set place. In the flattened part of the tube, 2 holes must be made. With their help, a transducer will be installed.
The sensor is mounted using bolts. Use washers when doing this. To prevent the structure from unwinding from vibration, it is recommended to use a lock nut or engraver. To control the immersion level of the sensor, several holes for the cotter pin must be made in the tube at different heights.
Choosing an installation location
The sounder sensor must be mounted correctly. To do this, it is recommended to consider in which section of the transom it will be more appropriate. In this case, the shape and design features of the swimming means are taken into account.
The transducer is buried in the water. Moreover, it should be on a plane running parallel to the surface of the reservoir. If it is at an angle, the information transmitted by the device will be distorted. It should be noted that when the boat moves, air will flow under its bottom. Bubbles can interfere.
If the swimming means does not differ in large dimensions, the sensor is mounted behind the stern. A home-made bracket in this case will be preferable. Purchased species when hooked can damage the transom. The bracket should not be mounted very rigidly. In this case, even Velcro or suction cup mounting is permitted. Depending on the configuration, features of the swimming means, you need to choose a place where interference will be minimal. Otherwise, the operation of the echo sounder will be meaningless.
Fixture mounting
After choosing the right place, you can proceed to mount the sounder sensor. For this, the clamp provided in the design is fixed on the transom of the swimming means.
After that, the transducer should be deepened. Regulate its immersion using a cotter pin. To the top of the metal-plastic pipe you need to attach the body of the echo sounder. So that the wire does not move, it is fixed to the pipe. To do this, you can use electrical tape or small plastic clamps.
After the work done, you can use a home-made device. If necessary, it can be easily removed. This will prevent damage to fragile electronics during transport. The operation of the device will be efficient, comfortable. Time spent in a reservoir will be remembered only for positive moments.
Having considered how to mount the sounder sensor , you can independently create and install a bracket on your boat.