Fishfinder install help

I just picked up a Hummingbird 597CI and I'm trying to find a spot to install. My Kayak is an '08 Tarpon 120 clone. I have a few options so here is what I came up with:

1. Using a Scotty setup Scotty Triple Mounting System #257, Scotty Gear Head Mount Extender #429, Scotty Swivel Fishfinder Mount with Deck Base 269
I might not need the Scotty FF mount if I can just bolt the FF on the triple mounting system

2. Rig up my own dashboard something like what is in this post
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=31533.0

3. Install the FF just forward of the center hatch

4. A ram mount in the cup holder.

The battery will go in a dry box in the hull and the transducer will go where the rudder would mount or in a scupper hole.

I how GatorJIT set his up but I think the FF is too far forward to reach. I also don't want to block access if I have to get back in with a self recovery.

Any other ideas?

3. Install the FF just forward of the center hatch

You won't like it on the deck by the hatch. It's too wide and you legs will hit it all the time. When you land fish and have them in your lap you won't like it either. I would mount it on the front on top of the hump. There is a perfect place for it right there. It is a little stretch, but how often do you really change it? Your 120 is stable and you should have no problem using it up front. Its out of the way and easy to see. That is where mine is on both my Tarpon 160's.

You really should not use the scupper mount on a Tarpon. It will hang down and catch thing and get dragged on rocks and sand. Better off mounting inside, or on the rear.

I don't think I'll be messing with it that much, but if I find a good spot I'll want to mark it on the GPS. I checked out the transducer fit on the scupper and I don't like the fit.
The spot on the top of the hump is too small for the mounting base so here is my next idea:

Use some "L" brackets behind the foot brace mounts and install geartrac's on both sides. Then I'll use the Wilderness Systems SlideTrax Sideboard on one side and SlideTrax Transducer Arm on the other. I don't know if the YakAttack Geartrac will let me use the SideTrax accessories. This should give me a clean install & get the FF closer to me. I'm still kicking around the idea of the Scotty option since this is for the most part plug and play.

I'm also looking at FishBucket's idea http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=38729.0


Thanks for the info!

I was considering an RTM at one point and FishBuckets idea was perfect for that boat.  I also like your idea in the L brackets; might be an option for me as I ponder the location of rod holders.  I like the flexibility that tracks offer.

I mean on top. Not on the angled part of the hump. Between the top and the forward hatch. Not between the cup holder and the top.  I don't think you will like the ducer hanging over the side either. I temporarily hung my ducer over the side on my new Ride 135 and it makes way too much noise from the water hitting it. I still vote for in the hull. Most protected, quiet, clean, and out of the way. Works just fine in there. If you mount the FF on the side rail it will need to be pretty far forward to miss your paddle stroke. Also, if you put a rod holder for trolling on the rail it will put the FF that much further forward. I'll post pic in a little bit of mine to show you where I have it.

This is my kayak now for 2-3 years. FF works fine right here.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=23095.0

I don't have that kind of room up there. placed the FF mount on the little circle indent, just forward of the scotty mount and the FF mount hangs over the edges. The hatch cover comes almost up to where the top of the hump  is. My FF is a down imaging model & from what I found I have to install the transducer in the water. My mistake I did not post the full model number of the FF it's a HB 597CI HD DI



So that is why I was thinking of the "L" brackets using the foot brace mounting holes and mount a gear track on top of the L brackets. The gear track will almost follow the same lines as a new tarpon 120



I'm going to stop by one of the local kayak shops today to see what other options I have before I bust out the drill. The shop has all the parts in stock for any of the options I was thinking of.

Thanks for the help.

After looking at all the options, the local shop had everything in stock for the Scotty setup or the geartrac setup. After looking at both options I decided to go with the Scotty triple mount & FF mount. The had both kayaks side by side so I was able to see how the sideboards would fit. It looked like what I was going to do the sideboards would get in the way of the foot brace.

I'm using an 8Ah 12v AGM sealed battery that is inside a dry box I picked up from Walmart. The transducer went on the back attached to 1" wide aluminum strip that I was able to shape to fit the back of the kayak where the rudder would install & keep the transducer up 1 to 1.5" up from the keel line. The mounting bracket I built is attached with the rudder mounting screws (I don't have a rudder) on the top & RC servo tape on the bottom so I did not have to drill on the bottom. I did have to drill 2 holes, one up front for the power & transducer cable, and one in the back on the right side at the same level as the drain plug on the left. Now I'm just waiting on the marine sealant to dry before I get out on the water & see how everything works.

Thanks again for the help