Raymarine transducer install

For those of you using the Raymarine Dragonfly units, how do you have the transducer mounted?  I was using duct seal water bath method for my Lowrance unit, but just thinking other ways to do it since this transducer is so large.  Also, for those that did thru hull install, how are the sonar readings?  Thanks in advance.

I just got one for Christmas (from myself  ). Ill be installing it on my Ultra 4.3.  I'm am not willing to sacrifice any performance shooting through hull, therefor I just ordered on of these transducer arm mounts. Ill first install it on my Ultra, and if this unit is all its cracked up to be, Ill buy another transducer and mount and install it in the Hobie as well. Im not yet sure where on the kayak to mount the arm yet. Still brainstorming. Ill keep ya posted on this thread once install is complete.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFVH6S2/ref=pe_385040_128020140_TE_3p_dp_1

Hey Matt, thanks for your input.  I was also considering the transducer arm you linked.  But I'm not sure if I want to have anything dangling on the side that I might forget to pull back up on a landing.   

But I agree, I'd hate to lose any performance shooting through the hull.  Hmmm...time to brainstorm a bit more.  Keep us posted of your install, I'd love to see where everything was mounted.

Foam surround with transducer in a ziplock bag -then add water to bag = no problem and good images.
 Occasionally I have wiggle the transducer a bit after launch if there is an air bubble under the transducer

The through-hull performance loss has been discussed here:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=53163.msg680965#msg680965

In a nutshell:
FishingForTheCure wrote:

"<snipped> the amount of loss you will get from shooting thru the plastic does exist but is so very small, it is not something you will be concerned about.  The thicker the plastic, the greater this loss can be (though still small). "

Don't goop the transducer.

Foam surround with transducer in a ziplock bag -then add water to bag = no problem and good images.
 Occasionally I have wiggle the transducer a bit after launch if there is an air bubble under the transducer

Tried this method for simple testing purposes over the weekend, but it didn't work with this transducer.  Even tried holding it very still and tight against the hull inside the bag, but still bad sonar readings and couldn't pick up depth. 

Can anyone confirm if the duct seal water bath method with this transducer works ok?  Looks like I'm leaning towards sticking to this method for now.

just do this Won. Your readings will be perfect 

Foam surround with transducer in a ziplock bag -then add water to bag = no problem and good images.
 Occasionally I have wiggle the transducer a bit after launch if there is an air bubble under the transducer

Tried this method for simple testing purposes over the weekend, but it didn't work with this transducer.  Even tried holding it very still and tight against the hull inside the bag, but still bad sonar readings and couldn't pick up depth. 

Can anyone confirm if the duct seal water bath method with this transducer works ok?  Looks like I'm leaning towards sticking to this method for now.

It would take at least 3 bricks of Duct Seal to dam up that ducer!  Took about 1-1/2 bricks when I tried to do my Lowrance HDI ducer.  I pulled that stuff right back out & went with a foam block water bath. 

just do this Won. Your readings will be perfect 

I think you're onto something Tony.  Let me know how this works out for your revo.   

Get a piece of foam, cut out shape of the transducer. 
OPtional - Goop velcro at both sides of foam, just like creating a seat belt so transducer stays put while transporting kayak upside down.
Goop the foam in a flat area inside your hull or put electrical putty around the foam to prevent water leakage. 
Put transducer inside foam.  Add a minimum of 1/4 inch of water every time you use.
You may have to increase the sensitivity setting. 

This is my set up on my AI and when I had a 2012 Revo 13.  Best results of course is the transducer outside like on my 2015 Revo 13.
The biggest difference I've noticed is seeing school fish in saltwater.  Marks are more pronounced and thicker with the transducer outside.

Also change the internal clock which is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to match California Time Zone.  This way you have an accurate date stamp of your waypoints.

Thanks for the tip and picture Mel.  That's just closed cell foam right?

Won, Yes its actually my old kickboard for swimming practice.  My good buddy, Elusive initially had problems when he gooped his Lowrance Chirp Transducer.  After switching to a water bath like I just mentioned it works like a charm.

+1 on waterbath.  Heard too many issues with gooping ta ducer.  Some of them later rather than soone.

As promised here are pics of my Dragonfly install on an Ultra 4.3.  Since I don't want to chirp through hull I ordered the Ram ducer mount. This rigid mount is composed of a flexible aluminum rod with a 1 inch ball receiver on one end and a platform to mount the transducer on the other end. Once its been decided where to put the mount, the rod can be bent to match.

I decided to put it ducer behind me; far enough to not interfere with my stroke. I used wire caps to bring the wiring inside the hull and back out. Ultra's "mod pod" features a hollow hinged apparatus that opens the main hatch but also conveys wiring cleanly into the hatch. Unfortunately the Dragonfly's giant ducer is matched only by it's giant plus which would fit through the mod pod opening. VERY CAREFULLY I ground the collar of the plug so that it would fit.

It worked and made for a very clean install. I like that you can rotate the hatch and effectively seal the head unit inside the hatch. Nice clean deck, free of clutter, and ready for those rugged north SC county surf launches.

All in all Im happy with the install, though I got a bit messy with the glue. I took it for a test paddle this morning and am pleased. The Dragonfly really impressed me in it's ability to separate the bottom from fish (or objects) just off the bottom.  Baitfish marks are much more obvious too.

Im not a huge fan of dragging my transducer along side of me, but...I didn't want to sacrifice the sensitivity of this fine unit by shooting through hull; not right away anyway.