How far forward to mount transducer in Trident 13?

Hi -

I'm going to be using a wet bath in duct seal mount for the Lowrance transducer. I'm wondering how far forward I should try and mount it. I'm guessing it should be in the flat section of the hull bottom (at least) as that part of the kayak will always be in the water.

Thanks in advance,
  elgoog

I mounted mine just forward of my mast on the AI.  At first I had it mounted in the scenter hatch righ behind the Mirage Drive but I thought I'd encounter too much disruption from air bubbles so I removed it to the bow.  Worked well for me.  All the last yaks I've had were mounted just rear of the front hatch.

under the forward cup holder is where i put mine.....it will be lined up perfect to read what is actually under you.

OK, that sounds like right under the sonar shield in my case. I'll start with that. The duct seal donut shouldn't be too hard to move around until I find the sweet spot.
My thinking in putting it as far forward as possible was to get readings on the sonar in a way that I wouldn't pass them/already be on top of them by the time I saw them. Considering the angle of coverage from the sonar cone, a couple of feet forward might not make that much of a difference? From the previous forum posts, it looks like the main concern is interference/bubbles/turbulence during paddling.

Best place to mount the trans on T-13 is right under the FF
This is between the scuppers (flat area) and easy to get to (through rod pod) should it come loose on the water

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

Thanks for the feedback everyone I'm going to rig up the unit this week, couple of wiring components still on the way.

Best place to mount the trans on T-13 is right under the FF
This is between the scuppers (flat area) and easy to get to (through rod pod) should it come loose on the water

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

What he said

In a daring move just 48 hours before PIF, I removed my duct seal water bath transducer install and formed a block of "noodle" & GOOP'ed in to the inner hull in an effort to try a wet bath method.  It's been curing since about 10pm last night & I hope it has no leaks come tomorrow afternoon when I apply the first water to it.

   Why did I do this?  Good question!  I wanted a way to "open & see" that there is water in the cavity before each trip w/o having to reform duct seal.  When I opened my duct seal "dam", there was still water in it but I had no way to see it before a trip (granted, my transducer is large & I didn't want to open up the duct seal each time). On a last note, I am running a quad frequency transducer so it is a more susceptible to needing this water due to the higher frequency; 455 & 800.

   In the end, this should function the same as duct seal & just allow me the piece of mind of opening the hood to check the fluids before each trip.

   I kept my placement just forward of the mast step on the AI.  There is a great place, however, between the mast step & the Mirage Drive well.  I opted against that spot in the event that the Mirage drive "might" create some air bubbles/cavitation just forward of the fins while operating. 

~Bill

elgoog - google backwards

Good question!  and one I hadn't asked before I 'installed' my attempts of a wet container system.  Test driving this weekend so I hope where I have it will work.

I do plan to post my experiences of being a first time FF soon.

Brandi

I wanted to build a wet container box.  Pat (SinCoast) built a nice one as have others on here.  I didn't have time to go get a container to start with so I opted for the foam noodle block I already had in the garage around 10pm last night.  After a quick run thru the band saw, fillet knife, spindle sander & belt sander, I had a fairly well shaped block ready to GOOP in place.  All you really need is a sharp knife but I just wanted to play with my power tools.

elgoog - google backwards

You got it I've been working/playing there for over 5 years.

Test driving this weekend so I hope where I have it will work. I do plan to post my experiences of being a first time FF soon.

Awesome! I'd be really interested to hear your experiences. I'm going to hook up my FF this Sunday and will be doing the same after that.

formed a block of "noodle" & GOOP'ed in to the inner hull in an effort to try a wet bath method.     I wanted a way to "open & see" that there is water in the cavity before each trip w/o having to reform duct seal.  When I opened my duct seal "dam", there was still water in it but I had no way to see it before a trip (granted, my transducer is large & I didn't want to open up the duct seal each time).

I always thought the duct seal dam was made just big enough to hold the transducer firmly but still leave enough room to check the water level and pour in some water before every trip. I'd be interested in seeing your pool noodle mount at PIF this Saturday. I was planning on going around and checking out the various mount methods that day. Would be interested to see what a wet container box would look like as well.

On that note, the strange looking guy with an overall disheveled look, that no one's seen before and is going around asking to see transducers will be me. I'm not really homeless; I just look that way sometimes.

Feel free to drop by the yak & pop the hood.  White Hobie AI with the stripper pole .... I mean, mast & sail   It's got my NCKA name on the bow.

Bill

If I had permanently mounted and routed wires through the Hull, I would definitely be using a foam block.  But since I use my FF on all three of my yaks, just haven't seen the need to do the foam block on all three yaks.  I wouldn't trust the duct seal or a foam block though for retaining water while my yak is upside down on my truck.  But for you Bill, it should work fine since you trailer yours.  Another 'experiment' you could try is filling your puck with vasoline instead of water. It apparently shoots through it just fine, from a friend of mine that tried it years ago.  However once his yak was upside down in the sun, it liquified and ran out, and all over the inside of his hull. 

Feel free to take a loo at my install. Closed cell foam.  I just check the water before I go out it is routine now. I ALMOST never forget.

Feel free to take a loo at my install. Closed cell foam.  I just check the water before I go out it is routine now. I ALMOST never forget.

That's exactly what I wanted & did.  For me, it's kinda like checking the air in the tires or oil in the engine before a long trip.

~Bill