Some thoughts on the new Lowrance scupper hole tranducer mounting system

So I went ahead and bought this Lowrancer transducer mount for my old T160:

It was pretty cheap (around 40 bucks) and seemed like a good idea.  I had been shooting my "Skimmer" 'ducer through the hull as probably many folks do.  The through hull was convenient, but it lost some resolution and had problems with air bubbles collecting under the hull (when I wasn't paddling), which obscured the beam.

However, when the thing was delivered, I realized it was going to give me a whole new set of problems:

1)  I'm a saltwater, beach launch type guy, as many of you know.  Upon inspection of the unit, I realized that it is a complete plug in the scupper hole.  Unfortunately, my T-160 only has two scupper holes.  I don't know how many of you guys have experienced this, but when you're taking some good waves head on the momentary "brakes" put on the boat while the cockpit is filled with water can really screw you up.  You want to get that water out of the cockpit as fast as possible, so losing a scupper hole is a big sacrifice to surf punchers.  Just for the reason alone I can't use the mount.  I thought about drilling a bunch of holes in it, and maybe that's the solution......but it's brand new.

2) The second problem is my own fault......I didn't think it through.  The is a semi permanent mount with the 'ducer sitting under the boat.  On the other end of my fishing expeditions, I'm coming back in through the same surf zone.  My technique is to catch a wave while its still not steep, cut a bottom turn as it steepens up, and brace into the wave.....most all the time skidding along the sand until the boat is near high and dry.  Well now there'll be a 'ducer there taking all that punishment.  I doubt a transducer would fair very well for long under that abuse, and that's how I fish 90 % of the time.

So, I'm not saying the mount is a piece of crap.  In fact it looks well engineered to do what it's supposed to do.  But if you use your boat in the surf a lot, it seems like trouble.

I wouldn't mind hearing other thoughts on this, or possibly if there was a Lowrance rep that wanted to chime in.

Dave

I'm inclined to think the Lowrance techies never took the surf launches/returns into consideration during the design phase for their product.

Howard

I have a pa and was thinking about buying it,but from the PVC pipes that I'm using on my trailer I cannot.the transducer will be sitting in the groove where the yak sits on the pipes.i agree I don't think hard beach landings were in mind when they came up with this.it'll be nice if they made one that plugs in and you can easily remove when your done fishing

Wonder if it will damage the scupper on a hit to the tranducer?