Question - Mounting FF on OK

Checked the Scotty site - the Pirahna mount will not mate up to standard mounts.  Why does Scotty not make the same mount for the other Humminbird FFs - dangit   

I did figure out though - if I routed the cabling through the front part of the compartment (inside) v. the rear (as everyone does) then there would be equal distance to move a fishfinder back and forth between the compartment and rod pod mounting location.

And with that thought in mind...I did some diddling today.  Nothing like a guy that's never been on the water fishing in a yak trying to figure stuff out.  So, after coming to realize the FF cannot be folded so the lid can close completely - I moved on to the next dilema - mount in the compartment (far away; hard to flip through screens; clear deck) or on the rod pod (closer; easy ot flip through screens; clutters deck).  Came up with my own solution which I may or may not settle on but it gave me something to do for the day...


I might not know crap about yak fishing yet; but, that just means - like all rookies - you buy stuff; later to figure out - ummm, didn't need that (i.e. extra humminbird mount and scotty cup):





I took the bottom off the extra humminbird mount:





Ground down the top part and flipped it (you can't flip the one on your main mount or it will spin) - then took the Scotty cup mount and put a bolt through it to connect them:





Then mounted it to the other bracket with some longer screws:





Then mounted the FF...





The next dilema is how do the wires run through.  No worries, when you flip the bottom bracket of the FF there is a gap...





Then I slapped it on the yak...











I wish I could have gotten it a little closer to the deck (3/4" gap), but this is about as close as she gets - which happens to be closer than had I used other Scotty parts.  I need to decide if this is what I'm going to do - if so, I need to put a flush mount in the compartment so I can move it back and forth.  As mentioned earlier, if I run the wiring through the front (inside) of the compartment then there is equal distance between locations. 

So, if you are on your favorite lake - move it to the compartment as you wont' need to flip through screens and keep your deck clean.  If you are on a new lake - move it to the rod pod (10" closer) so you can flip through screens.  There is one final consideration; I need to put a ring through one of the mounting holes on the base and anchor it to the boat.

Well Kenny you got one on me man! I won a 385ci unit last year and was going to install onm y new T-15. You are right the MFer wont fit under the sonar sheild. Screw that. Im selling it now and geting a unit that will fit under the lid. That sucks. You would think that since Humminbird and Ocean Kayak are owned by the same company, and this unit I won is the kayak version, it would fit. Hah! I would never have it anywhere else buit under the shield. Its in the way on the deck and I want the option to fols it down to be protected in the surf. Drat! Anyone want to buy a 385ci kayak version? Lists for 600 I will take 450.00

You would think that since Himminbird and Ocean Kayak are owned by the same company, and this unit I won is the kayak version, it would fit. Hah! I would never have it anywhere else buit under the shield.

I agree - I wasn't pleased either.  After looking at dimensions of other Humminbirds (new models), I don't think any of them (other than the 100 series) will fit under the lid.  Just make the compartment 1" deeper (which would be doable) and they will all fit.  That said, I like the direction I'm heading though since the FF will be close enough to reach with ease - or I can move it back if accessibility isn't necessary. 

Update:  Calypso (Shilo) successfully mounted a 385ci in the fishfinder area of her OK P13 today.  Gives new meaning to "girls kick ass". 

She mounted the bracket on the back wall at a slight angle to compensate for the screw on the front of the fishfinder.  Since the bracket pivots and turns, when you bring the fishfinder upright just turn one click so its straight.  You may even be able to mount the bracket straight on the back wall and simply turn it once click when folding it down - but, I'm tired of thinking about it

Good job Shilo; hope this helps others - the 385ci is a great fishfinder and is once again a viable option for the OK series.

Any photos of how she mounted it? I am wanting to pick one of those FF up the end of the month. Someday I'll own a kayak with a FF compartment and want it to fit. Thanks

This is not Shilo's mount; but was the visual that abdiver provided in another thread a while back.  Take note of the washers on the inside of the kayak:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,32725.0.html