Best way to mount Sonar, GPS and battery?

I have purchased a Matrix 37 and plan on hooking it up to my Garmin GPS 315 unit via NMEA and hopefully run GPS from extra 12vdc connection on sonar.

I've seen stuff from RamMount and the various...ahem...ghetto mounts available...but is anything preferred?

Also...is battery better mounted in bow hatch (I have prowler 13) or in back with crate...as I'm a big boy (220lbs on a good day)...I'm thinking that battery and other crap in back may be too much drag and it would be best to mount battery in forward hatch.

What sayest y'all?

I don't think it matters too much where you mount the battery... I'd vote for the area closest to the location of the fishfinder so you have less cords routed through your hull to deal with.  Definitely mount it below decks.  

The ram mounts are nice but pricey.  I am using a Scotty fishfinder mount with a flush-deck mounting bracket.  

http://www.scotty.com/marine/products/product/fishacc/fishfinder.html

The scotty round flush deck mounting bracket is sealed on the inside, unlike the rectangular ones which you have to seal for yourself.  

http://www.scotty.com/marine/products/product/rodholders/mounts_flush.html#

With the ram-mount you only have to drill holes for the screws.  With the scotty, you have to also drill a hole for the mounting receptacle... so there's a little more commitment with that type of install.  

Some even mount the FF base directly to the kayak and run the cords through the base so they aren't visible.  This is probably the cleanest installation but lacks the ability to turn the FF side to side if needed.

If you really want to pimp your ride...

Do a scotty triple mounting bracket ... http://www.kayakfishinggear.com/catalog/new_-_scotty_mounting_bar_3575640.htm

along with a scotty fishfinder mount...http://www.kayakfishinggear.com/catalog/fishfinder_post_bracket_1061725.htm

and a Ram Post ...http://www.kayakfishinggear.com/catalog/ram_post_for_fish-on__atwood__scotty_and_gearl_4559461.htm

with a Ram Mount for your GPS315...http://65.102.174.119/rammount/productdetail.aspx?partnumber=RAM-B-138-MA1

Get out your checkbook though... this stuff ain't cheap... but you'd be the Mac-Daddy with that setup.

Erik

thanks much...just noticed the Scotty triple....sweeet!!!

Definitely shooting my load over this cherry setup. Sooo custom.

I've spent past several hours going thru damn near every post on this forum and one other (name escapes me)...so dang informative.

Oh wise one...I have decided to "pimp my ride" as you so aptly put it...

However...you show two incompatible parts...one is scotty ram ball mount that is 1.5" ball...yet ram mount for GPS is 1" micro ball system. I don't see any scotty ram ball mounts for 1" micro ball...do they exist?

Will I have to shave my balls?

Damn...I've spent much money (sonar, mounts, gear)...and have a boat-load of install time ahead of me (transponder internal mount, scotty mounting, etc.).

If I don't pull up a 50lb halibut my first time out I'm blaming YOU!

Also...how does one surf launch with all that crap on the triple mount? Removing rod holders is one thing...but detaching your Sonar still leaves exposed wiring...ditto for removing your GPS. Ziploc? I probably need some nice snap connectors for GPS power connections...wrapping wires doesn't sound clean.

However...you show two incompatible parts...one is scotty ram ball mount that is 1.5" ball...yet ram mount for GPS is 1" micro ball system. I don't see any scotty ram ball mounts for 1" micro ball...do they exist?

Will I have to shave my balls?

Doooh... Didn't realize there were different sized balls.  I was having so much fun shopping for you and spending your money I didn't look at the ball size.  Hmmm...

If you create a wire seal for your fishfinder cable that will allow you to push your wires through your deck, you can then simply unmount the triple contraption and stow the electronics below decks for surf landings.

Here's the one I made... others have done similar...