Ocean Kayak/Hummingbird FF Question

I got a new hummingbird FF for xmas and I was told I could simply call Hummingbird, inform them I would like the transducer made for Ocean kayaks(I have a prowler trident) then ship the one it came with and hummingbird would ship the new one to me for free. This seems pretty simple - so is it? Has anyone had any problems with this swap or any advice to make it go smoothly? Thanks for the help!

My experiance was that there was a small upgrade fee ($20.00)
Than when I installed it in the scupper it didn't allow the water to drain properly and my longer legs kept hitting the cable.
End result was to go back to the stock transducer and use the foam block inside the hull.
No problems since.
Welcome aboard

SC_Yaker,

I just did this within the last month without any issues at all and they did not ask for an exchange fee. Here is the text of the letter I included based on what the customer service rep asked for when I first contacted them by phone:

December 29, 2009

Humminbird / Techsonic Industries, Inc.
Attn:  Service Department
678 Humminbird Lane
Eufaula, AL 36027
1-800-633-1468

Transducer Exchange Program:

Please find enclosed the original transducer and mounting hardware from my Humminbird 383C which was received as a Christmas gift.

I wish to exchange the original transducer for the XTH-9-20-P transducer and any appropriate hardware for mounting in my Ocean Kayak Trident 15 "scupper hole".

Thanks and best regards,

[Name]
[Full Address]
[Contact Phone]

Why did they move that enlarged scupper up to the footwells on the trident?  On the Prowler, with it being in the back well, the only problem is sawing out a small notch on your milk crate.  I would have had the same issue with it in the footwell.  Hey Steelerhead---we still have to get together and fish Coyote, Calero, or Anderson.---Jeff

Steelerhead - thanks for the info I might have to borrow your letter if that's alright. I am going to call them tomorrow. Just out of curiosity how was the install? Any major problems or was it straight forward?

Hopefully the won't charge a fee but I will cross the bridge when if I get there!

Steelerhead - thanks for the info I might have to borrow your letter if that's alright. I am going to call them tomorrow. Just out of curiosity how was the install? Any major problems or was it straight forward?

Hopefully the won't charge a fee but I will cross the bridge when if I get there!

No fee, no worries. 

Steelerhead---we still have to get together and fish Coyote, Calero, or Anderson.---Jeff

Yeah, thanks Jeff - I'll have to PM you soon to setup a time.

The "other" Jeff (a.k.a. Steelerhead)

Steelerhead - thanks for the info I might have to borrow your letter if that's alright. I am going to call them tomorrow. Just out of curiosity how was the install?

By all means SC_Yaker - Copy & Paste away... I still have not got around to installing the HBird yet. On my "to do" list.

Jeff (a.k.a. Steelerhead)

There is no fee from Humminbird for the exchange. Use the scupper mount. Its nice and fool proof. Dont be misled by the fact that some people think the water doesnt drain out. I say NO BIG DEAL. It doesnt matter. It doesnt make your ride any wetter at all. I have sat in the bay with waves washing over the seating area on anchor. Its a handy foolproof way to install the transducer and you dont have a bunch of stuff in the way when you need to stuff your rods on an ocean launch or landing.

Funny, I had to pay the difference with mine. I guess they just started that switch for free thing recently.

Jedmo

After my personal experiance,
I tried to get the upgrade for one of my customers and they tried to charge me quite a bit to upgrade than when I told them I was one of their retailers they said $20.00.
Either they changed their policy or someone said the right thing and got a deal if it was free.
As for the scupper hole when I had the trans in there it would drain but I wanted it to drain faster for surf launches so I took it out as described earlier (it's a personal prefrence thing).

check this out:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,22373.msg231839.html#msg231839

I'm gonna do the same to mine to make it drain faster.

Use the scupper mount. Its nice and fool proof. Dont be misled by the fact that some people think the water doesnt drain out. I say NO BIG DEAL. It doesnt matter. It doesnt make your ride any wetter at all. I have sat in the bay with waves washing over the seating area on anchor. Its a handy foolproof way to install the transducer and you dont have a bunch of stuff in the way when you need to stuff your rods on an ocean launch or landing.

True that!
I use the stick on spacers on the transducer as well after seeing the factory spacers molded on the newer tridents. Cut some grooves on the outside of the white nut and you are gold. No more pooling at all.

I used to have mine mounted in the front scupper, plugging it, it was usually no prob, but when I launch in surf, it fills past the rod-pod and gets in the yak, no way to drain it in the surf, it got REAL scary at Muir that time....
So I took out the srew-type mount, and just gooped the trans on the bottom of the scupper, it holds just fine and drains fine, ill post a pic. Goop is wonderful stuff.

I got mine changed out with no problem, no extra fee.  I think I paid the $4 for shippping.

Troutnut forwarded you my mod for drainage, though I like Ravensblack idea of cutting grooves on the nut.