Ideal fishfinder location

I am interested in people's experiences with various locations for their fishfinders. Obviously a pedal craft cannot have it mounted in the center but a side mount with an arm would be an option.

I see where finders are mounted near the users' feet and question how good a setup that is in terms of seeing the screen and being able to easily reaching the controls and set waypoints while out fishing.

I have mine on a ram arm on the left at arms reach on my hobie.  I'm out in aromas if you ever want to come check it out & play with some lowrance units.

Bill

I'm to lazy to type out an explanation, here's my setup on the raptor:

There's no such thing as an ideal fishfinder location for everyone.  Each person likes their FF in their own location. 

Some people just want to see it and never touch it, others want it close and adjustable all day long, others think fishfinders are made by the devil, etc...

When placing your fishfinder you have to think about how you would like to use it and what type of FF you have. Factors:

1.  Small screen FF/GPS combo units have...small screens.  So unless you have eagle eye vision you might consider it closer to you so you can switch modes relatively easily.
2.  Large full functioned GPS/FF combos have large screens but also lots of bells and whistles that you might want to play with all day.  Too far from you and you might not be able to do what you want with it.
3. Make sure the FF doesn't get in the way of your paddle or pedal stroke, and doesn't interfere with rod holder placement.
4. Make sure you can safely and securely run wiring to the FF depending on placement.
 

I always mount mine in the front of the deck, near my feet (installed maybe 7 FFs on my yaks). Because I don't mess with it while fishing, except to mark an occasional waypoint (in which case, I just lean fwd and press the Enter button twice, easy peasy). I never mount it in the middle of the deck because I want that space open to deal with big fish. And I never mount it on the side because I like that area open in case I fall out & need to self rescue (or deal with a big fish boatside). 

I always mount mine in the front of the deck, near my feet (installed maybe 7 FFs on my yaks). Because I don't mess with it while fishing, except to mark an occasional waypoint (in which case, I just lean fwd and press the Enter button twice, easy peasy). I never mount it in the middle of the deck because I want that space open to deal with big fish. And I never mount it on the side because I like that area open in case I fall out & need to self rescue (or deal with a big fish boatside).

+1.

-Allen

I have a 5 inch color screen FF and mounted on top Hobie sail mast hole.  Its not the easiest location to get to but its out of the way.  I can pedal, paddle, fish and crab with it out of the way.  I am dependent on prescription eye glasses and see the screen just fine.

I have mine mounted in the center, near my feet on an adjustable ram mount. I'm glad I mounted it here because it's almost completely out of my way when I retrieving a fish.
 

Far enough that it is out of the way for re-entry, big fish, etc.  Close enough that I can lean as far forward as I can and barely reach it. 

I've had my yak 2 yrs. I've moved my fish finder to many times. Started on the center hatch realized it was in the way of everything, moved it to rails on the gunnel still inconvenient. Finally on the front deck on a ram mount and love it. 

I always mount mine in the front of the deck, near my feet (installed maybe 7 FFs on my yaks). Because I don't mess with it while fishing, except to mark an occasional waypoint (in which case, I just lean fwd and press the Enter button twice, easy peasy). I never mount it in the middle of the deck because I want that space open to deal with big fish. And I never mount it on the side because I like that area open in case I fall out & need to self rescue (or deal with a big fish boatside).

+1.

-Allen

What he said. Especially about the self rescue part. That ain't no joke.

I always mount mine in the front of the deck, near my feet (installed maybe 7 FFs on my yaks). Because I don't mess with it while fishing, except to mark an occasional waypoint (in which case, I just lean fwd and press the Enter button twice, easy peasy). I never mount it in the middle of the deck because I want that space open to deal with big fish. And I never mount it on the side because I like that area open in case I fall out & need to self rescue (or deal with a big fish boatside).

+1.

-Allen

What he said. Especially about the self rescue part. That ain't no joke.

+1

I've had my yak 2 yrs. I've moved my fish finder to many times. Started on the center hatch realized it was in the way of everything, moved it to rails on the gunnel still inconvenient. Finally on the front deck on a ram mount and love it.

Exactly why I asked the question.

I see many mounted on non pedal boats in the center just past the foot wells and to me this makes it possible to see but not practical to punch in GPS way points for structure re-locating. I see the finder/sonar mounted often on the center console (or mod pod) on the OK boats. On the Hobie the options are more restricted and side mounting is easiest though on the sides it can get in the way when retrieving a fish.

For a Hobie, I'd go with the sail mast. But I think it would be ok to have it mounted on the gunnel...as long as it's far enough forward (to not hinder paddle stroke, self-rescues, or big fish).
For me, it's all about mounting the FF towards the front and out of the way.


Paddle yak


Pedal yak

I like the idea of mounting the fish finder in the sail mast slot on the hobie's. I have a revo 13 and am getting ready to do this myself.
My question is how do you secure it so that it  doesn't  fall out if you capsize?
Thanks,
Dave