First Class Wuss

Dave has now FINALLY installed his Lowrance X50 DS fishfinder that his wife gave him FOR CHRISTMAS!       (Yeah, I've had it for months and not installed it!)

I am a First Class Wuss because I was
a) So slow to do this
b) Afraid to drill holes in my hobie
c) Have never operated or used a fishfinder in my life
d) Generally a chicken about doing mods to anything that costs more than $20.   

But after that epic trip this sumer with Eric at Trinidad, I knew I had to do it.  And I'm proud to say I did it myself and did not pay someone to do it right.      (Did I mention that I'm a cheap guy too?  )  So I probably did everything wrong.  But it seems to work so far.... I JUST FINISHED IT tonight, here are the pix of the install.   



The battery pack attached to the mast post -- I may tweak this a bit.



You can kind of see the transducer here ... my fat hand is in the way..



looking from the bow ... aft.



So I'm really proud of myself for doing this... and embarrassed that I was such a wuss about it.  The youtube video of a guy installing one in an outback really helped.  (Mine is in a hobie sport) ... 

So if you see any big things I did wrong ... don't tell me.  I'm celebrating.   It will likely be Saturday before I get to test it out.

Can't wait to try this thing out. 

Dave

I feel like exclaiming my joy like when I catch a nice fish on video, but I don't want to offend anyone...






Oh F*#$ yeah!!!    


WTG, Dave.   

So if you see any big things I did wrong ... don't tell me.

OK, then I won't tell you that ... J/K, it looks GREAT!  Nice work Wuss! 

Dumb question #32   

It seems like the best transport and storage option is to remove the battery pack every time you come out of the water.

It doesn't seem like a good idea to travel with the battery pack in the kayak upside down on top of car.

yeah?

dB

Yeah, I think the preferred MO is to remove the battery after use and prior to transport.  If someone has a way around that it sounds like they're lifting more weight overhead than is needed, and it would have to be very secure to avoid circuitry problems.  It becomes part of the ritual - setting up the fishfinder, confirming that it's working, continuing on with a preparation for fishing that is now that much richer knowing that you'll have depth and fish information on a little TV.  I can't wait to hear your first report of how cool your new toy is.   

sometimes it's good to be "offinsive" HELL YEAH!!! 

Sweet ride!!!  I know when I drilled my first hole...I was cringing a little thinking "what if I screw it up" 

Nicely done...cya OTW

Just an FYI - I caught way more fish before I got a fish finder! 

@ Rock Hopper .... hmmmm, to what do you attribute this?   

dB 

That's a pretty nice installation.

Tip No. 1 Try to never let salt water touch any of your connections, the area at the back of the FF will get soaked during a day on the salt and thats OK as long as you dry it off before you unplug it, also unplug the battery first before you unplug the FF just in case a drop of salt water does hit the connection, it's amazing how fast that connector will eat itself up with a good supply of 12 volts and a couple drops of seawater.

Allot of people recommend some type of corrosion inhibitor for the connections but I have yet to do that, probably will soon tho.

Other than that enjoy,

Okay so I was happily reading this and cheering you on until I got to what Dustin commented.  Now that I think of it.. he may be right lol.  I feel that since I put my ff on my revo, I haven't been catching that many fish except for that one time I was out fishing with him at the Fort with Chad and Kiel.. lol, okay I'm lost.  Anyway, congrats bro.  I too was being a wuss with putting my ff on my then Tarpon 120, I had my ff for about a year and a half before finally growing the nads to drill holes on that boat.  Then when the revo came, I installed the very same ff on it within 30min after unloading it from the truck, after purchasing it.  It's like yak fishing for the first time out in the blue, for some of us anyway.  Once you get passed that fear, it's all gravy from there. 

Pern

@ Dale L -- GREAT TIPS .. thanks .. will follow those suggestions and care about salt water.    I was a bit worried, I often fight the wind/waves down here at Cabrillo.  I know it will splash on the unit.  ... to all .. thanks for cheering me on 

...  I won't get out to test it until Saturday afternoon.  I'm flying up and back to Sacramento on Friday and then (like a fool) playing a gig that night.  (shameless plug -- Will be playing at Rusty's Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier on Friday night after the round trip to Sac. -- our set starts at 10:30).   

So no early morning fishing on Saturday.  BUT I think I will try to go to King Harbor on Saturday afternoon, if the conditions permit.  I'd like to try to find the "canyon" and the reef in Santa Monica Bay, near King Harbor ... I've been told about.   

Dave   

That's a pretty nice installation.

Allot of people recommend some type of corrosion inhibitor for the connections but I have yet to do that, probably will soon tho.

Other than that enjoy,

DaleL my ride takes on water every outing... some times a gallon or two and my bat is sloshing around in it...I take care to apply de electric grease everytime I'm done on posts than I applying to back and cord of FF  that being said my first bat was sadly abused, lasted less than a yr  with care my new one since may still looks pretty new

Shameless Plug on Bro... would love to attend a gig sometime...

Like Sledge said!!!  Use the di-electric grease liberally.   I fill the pin holes, completely cover the pins; before I plug it in.  The extra grease is no problem.  If you have a mechanic friend who does a lot of tune ups, there is a perfect small package that is used in the distributor for tuneups, or go and get a tube of grease - small expense = big savings

> di-electric grease

Gonna get some before I go out tomorrow!  THANKS! 

dB   

> di-electric grease

Gonna get some before I go out tomorrow!  THANKS! 

dB   

Yeah, considering all the effort I go to, to keep the yak connections dry, I'd probably be allot happier if I just went the grease route, I did it on my trailer plug and receptacle years ago and never had a problem since.