Water Bath for Cuda 300

Picked up a cuda 300 from Coyote Bait and Tackle. Thanks for the heads up.

Need an idea for the water bath, (see picts below.) Right now it's looking like a piece of 4in dia ASB.

Why a water bath? I would just goop it to the inside of the kayak. On both of my kayaks I have the transducers gooped with out any problems  or decrease in performance.

On recommendations from other NCKA members after goop left air bubbles, I used a piece of 1-1/2" Kneeling pad cut to hold the transducer fairly tight. Gooped the pad down and use a sponge to add water B4 launch. Works great !

I still use my with a suction cup to the side of the boat. It has been easy to deal with and I just "unsuck it" and put it away. It does not seem to cause much drag much to my surprise but I barely have it under the waterline.  I can use it on any of my kayaks.

On recommendations from other NCKA members after goop left air bubbles

A trick is to put the goop on let it sit for a couple of minutes to tack up, when its semi firm to the touch push it down. I've never had a problem on any of the ones I have installed. Letting it tack up it keeps it from moving around or wanting to lift up.

use the foam if you want to use the water bath method. You really don't need much water. I'd say 2 Tbls is all I need in mine.

i do it with the foam too.  i just splash in there with my water bottle before i head out.

at least until my hobie warranty is up and i start cutting holes in it 

Thanks for all the help gentlemen.
> Abdiver, maybe down the road, I like the glue it and forget it approach, but I'm still trying to figure where everything goes.

> Sierra Marty, I like this idea, can you post a picture of this setup? Is it more sensitive?

>fisheducator, EWB, and bmb, I've hit the stores and gone dumpster diving looking for foam. Currently my setup is temporary so I'm reluctant to spend to much money. So where did you guys get the foam and does it have to cover the entire transducer?

After looking closer to fisheducators post I guess it does not have to be covered.

Thanks for the info.

Joe

 

   Forget about using the ABS, way to much work involved to shape the ABS to contour to the hull to ensure a good seal.  Foam will contour easily, as for water, all you'll need is enough to cover the transducer.  If seal is good for foam to hull, there'll be no chance of air bubbles between ducer and hull.

foam just needs to be as high as the top of the trans. not the bracket just the unit itself. Try hitting up a computer/TV store (or your co if they have an IT dept). The foam that they pack servers and computers in works perfect. You can even "cement" pieces together with goop to make them large enough. That's what I did

Walmart or Target in the household cleaning section, or at home improvement stores. Any type of foam that holds water will work.

>fisheducator, EWB, and bmb, I've hit the stores and gone dumpster diving looking for foam. Currently my setup is temporary so I'm reluctant to spend to much money. So where did you guys get the foam and does it have to cover the entire transducer?

Joe, if you're going to be at Berryessa tomorrow or CL next weekend, I'll gladly bring you some pool noodle.  While it's not "foam" it is the second best thing.  It's worked on both of my kayaks and many people here use it also.

Just let me know.

BTW, glad you scored on the Coyote Bait & Tackle FF sale.

I use the foam cut out of a kick board. A little more rigid and does the job well.

However, instead of water, I use ultrasound gel. If your foam is snug enough, it will last the entire season. Mine did - and I store and transport it upside down. If it ever does fail, you can use water in a pinch.

You can use this closed cell foam, cut a piece out a bit larger than the transducer, trace the transducer on it, cut it out.  Goop the foam in place.

You can use the extra foam to make a place to hold your battery.

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/1135/Closed-Cell-Foam-12in-x-24in-x-2in.html