How to Install a Fishfinder on Your Kayak

ADVERTISING

LuxoGear Emergency Whistles with Lanyard

Shop now »

NOCO Genius GEN5X2, 2-Bank, 10A (5A/Bank) Smart Marine Battery Charger

Shop now »

RHINO USA Boat Trailer Transom Straps (2PK)

Shop now »

LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder

Shop now »

Seaview 180 V3 Full Face Snorkel Mask

Shop now »

Most popular comments
for How to Install a Fishfinder on Your Kayak

Live comments
Comments on YouTube

Fishing with Hoffman - 6 years ago

very bad idea the transducer is not in the water

Nauris Zmuida - 6 years ago

How does it read water temp if no part of transducer is actually touching the water ?

wayne pavlow - 6 years ago

So you can mount the transducer in the kayak and it will pick up signal through the bottom of the kayak? What about side imaging??

Austin Kayak - 6 years ago

Thanks for watching! This style of install in mainly for sonar and downscan style transducers. If you are going with a sidescan system, we recommend either using an arm over the side, or an under hull mount.

V Mort - 6 years ago

Can you still get a good temp reading?

dman6324 - 6 years ago

I use a 12v feeder battery its water proof already so works out well not to buy either

509 Outdoors - 6 years ago

How does the fish finder work through the kayak? Will it still read good?

Austin Kayak - 6 years ago

For sidescan you will want the transducer down in the water for sure. An overside transducer arm is the easiest way to do that kind of set up and is what we generally recommend.

509 Outdoors - 6 years ago

Will side scan still read good through the hull or is it best just to have a bracket hanging off the side of the kayak?

509 Outdoors - 6 years ago

Ok, thanks

Austin Kayak - 6 years ago

That transducer has a high frequency output, so you shouldn't have any issues getting a clear downscan signal through your hull as long as it is properly installed.

509 Outdoors - 6 years ago

Will a garmin striker 7sv transducer go through with strong signal?

Austin Kayak - 6 years ago

Hello there! Fishfinder transducers are actually able to penetrate the bottom of the kayak hull with their signal. It won't affect your reading in any meaningful way.

Gerald Clemens - 6 years ago

Watched about 30 videos on how to do this efficiently and cost effectively. By far, this video is the best. Very straight forward. Only thing I would change is adding goop to the the screws on the mount and making the hole for the grommet more water proof. Need a 12v battery as well. thanks for the walk through! Awesome video!

Austin Kayak - 6 years ago

Thank you for watching! That is a good additional step to take for ultimate waterproofing. Let us know if you have any questions that we could help answer.

brandonsat - 7 years ago

how thick of a layer of marine goop do you need for the transducer

Shit Clapper - 7 years ago

Best how to and great responses! Definitely subscribed

10. comment for How to Install a Fishfinder on Your Kayak

Simon Reynolds - 7 years ago

Hey where do you buy the grommet from?

Broxty - 7 years ago

Buy a kayak with a centre console that accepts fish finders... I bought the ride 115X and it is absolutely flawless.

Firefighter 21 - 7 years ago

with the transducer not actually being in the water will it affect the reading?

Firefighter 21 - 7 years ago

You to man, keep reelin em in

Ace Thomas - 7 years ago

No problems, tight lines man!

Firefighter 21 - 7 years ago

Ok thanks

Ace Thomas - 7 years ago

No, it changes the temp reading a bit, but it's usually not an issue.

JeepJeep234 - 7 years ago

does this work for sit in kayaks?

Richie Vlogz - 7 years ago

Good video! Could you make a video on how to put a trolling motor on a kayak?

vario heli - 7 years ago

i have a Garmin transducer, is it important to cover the sides with silicon also (if not using a foam block)

Brett Miller - 7 years ago

stop asking what kind of battery and go get a 12 volt replacement battery for a vexilar or Marcum ice unit they last forever on a charge your welcome

Brett Miller - 7 years ago

love my helix 7 di gps

«eVi» - 7 years ago

Does it matter which one I buy to put on a kayak?

Drew Olmsted - 7 years ago

I know this is about 3.5 years old but I'll ask anyway, if the marine goop/transducer mount fails is the transducer ruined? I assume you can just pull it all off and re do it?

Ace Thomas - 7 years ago

You can just pull it all off and scrape it off.

20. comment for How to Install a Fishfinder on Your Kayak

Phu Vet - 7 years ago

8AA's holy crap, thats hugely inefficient. just buy a SLA or AGM battery, it will pay for its self in 3 months.

90sBabies Hi - 8 years ago

hey I have a dolphin boat and I'm confuse how I should set my fish finder?

Chad Mullins - 8 years ago

how long will the fish finder last on those batteries?

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

Hey Chad, depends on the unit you want to run! Typically they can run for about 8 hrs but the best way to find out more accurately is to know the Ah draw on the fish-finder unit and divide that by the Am on the battery.

Boris Cotapos - 8 years ago

i got a lowrance 3x, is the transducer have to be submerge in the water?

Div van Biljon - 6 years ago

Boris Cotapohhhgfgjkll

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

Hey Boris,

Sorry for the delayed response!

It's not necessary for the transducer of the Lowrance 3x to be submerged in the water, although submerging the transducer in the water with a scupper or arm mount, such as the RAM Transducer Arm Mount, is a very popular and common setup! This video details how to install the transducer to mount within the hull. The Lowrance 3x transducer, since it is not a side-imaging transducer, will perform just fine installed within the hull.

Hope that helped. :)

Elijah Wade - 8 years ago

What power source should I get

bowhunting nj - 8 years ago

what kind of transducer is the one you used called

ITz TRikZ - 8 years ago

Don't you have to put the transducer in the water

Fishing with Hoffman - 6 years ago

i would say yes. i def wouldnt do what the video says

kayak fisher plymouth kayak fisher plymouth - 8 years ago

what sort of battery can i use for this one please http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sonar-Sensor-Fish-Finder-Fishfinder-Alarm-Transducer-300M-Portable-Waterproof-/222099637757?hash=item33b62b85fd%3Ag%3A75UAAOSwMVFXIDgT

can i use a Overlander 3300mah 7.2v NiMh Battery Pack

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

+kayak fishing plymouth kayak fishing plymouth We don't carry this product, however from the research I did it looks like there is a built in lithium battery! I suggest contacting the vendor directly to verify - it should say right on the packaging.

Lemon Bleach - 8 years ago

Try a 12 volt battery like the ones in those electric kids cars there cheap light and work well!

taprackbang88 - 6 years ago

Where would one find/buy one of these batteries?

Janet McPhail - 7 years ago

Lemon Bleach ...and you can get them in watertight boxes with connectors. They're perfect for this application.

Kevin Carlson - 8 years ago

One more question, if I use AA batteries for this fish finder how long will it last before running out of juice?

AviatorGM - 8 years ago

+Austin Kayak (ACKTV) Sweet... that's awesome. I use rechargeable Panasonic eneloop batteries for my camera equipment. Good stuff. You know what would be cool ... A solar panel charging system built in!

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

+Kevin Carlson Typically 12 hours or so!

30. comment for How to Install a Fishfinder on Your Kayak

Kevin Carlson - 8 years ago

So I have a question, might be considered stupid, but none the less. They do make the fish finder waterproof so if you tip over your yak you don't wreck it right?

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

No worries! If you want to talk about a specific model, feel free to call us at 888-828-3828.

Kevin Carlson - 8 years ago

Ok thanks!

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

+Kevin Carlson Not a stupid question at all! Generally, they are just water resistant. So if it was to get splashed it would be fine, but you wouldn't want to submerge it for very long. If you rolled, you would want to get it out ASAP, but it shouldn't die immediately.

Jay DeSimone - 8 years ago

Video is a couple years old, but I'm assuming it's the same or very similar with the Hook-4? Installing on a Diablo Amigo

rugsucker598 - 7 years ago

Jay DeSimone

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

+Jay DeSimone Yup! But, if you want someone to walk you through the specific process for your Amigo, feel free to stop by one of our shops our call 888-828-3828

Kenneth Turner - 8 years ago

What do you do with the exposed wires when storing or transporting the kayak?

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

+Kenneth Turner (Ken Turner) Your best bet is to use some electrical tape to secure them!

Ed French - 8 years ago

So would this method work on an old town vapor 10?

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

+Ed French Hey Ed - it should work, but your best bet is to contact our customer service team directly either by emailing customer@austinkayak.com or calling 888-828-3828. Fish finder installations are a tricky one to explain via YouTube comment :P

Marques Hoglund - 8 years ago

Does your transducer have to be on the exterior of the kayak or can it read through the bottom of it?

lepakjak000 - 7 years ago

Austin Kayak is it accurate that way? Because I was thinking the same thing.

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

+Marques Hoglund Your transducer can read through the bottom of your kayak!

elhalaka8 - 8 years ago

i thought transducers are suppose to be on the outside of the bottom of the boat/kayak. its just as accurate on the inside?

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

+elhalaka8 While some prefer to have their transducers hanging off their boat, your transducer should be able to shoot right through the plastic and give you a good reading (assuming you pay attention to our video and install it properly!)

Ziggy Rees - 8 years ago

did you use the 2in or 4in thick foam?

Big Island MN - 9 years ago

This is how I installed my Lowrance Elite Chirp depth finder and transducer on my fiber glass boat.
https://youtu.be/ULh2fX1JBQA

BAZ1NGA510 - 9 years ago

the transducer will read through the kayak? whaaat? so i dont need to have it outside of the kayak? will it affect accuracy on the reading?

AviatorGM - 8 years ago

+PrentissRacing Agreed.. I'll gladly call... but?? I contemplated buying a Scotty transducer mount, but don't want it in the way of paddling and I like to paddle over vegetation. In the hull would guarantee no "snags"... but will it diminish accuracy and sensitivity? I understand water temp readings will be affected. Any comments for the masses wondering the pros and cons of in hull vs. outside scotty transducer mounting? I appreciate your videos and will be ordering from you to support your efforts. Thanks!

PrentissRacing - 8 years ago

+Austin Kayak (ACKTV)
wish you would have given a good answer to this here.

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

+BAZ1NGA510 Typically this isn't an issue - if you give us a call at (888) 828 3828 or email us at customer@ack.com we can talk more about your specific set up!

tglover1986 - 9 years ago

Typically how long will the batteries charge the fish finder?

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

+tglover1986 It really depends on the model and how often you're using it - your best bet is to give us a call at (888) 828 3828 or email us at customer@ack.com so we can get all the details!

Jay Zarna - 9 years ago

Do you install this for your customers at the store?

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

+Jay Zarna Yes we do!

Joey Palmer - 9 years ago

So I have a perception striker. It has no flat surface except the space between the three hulls where the scuppers are, but that space is less than 2" wide. Is that where I should mount the transducer or just use one of the wider spaces on the center hull towards the middle of the kayak?

Any advice or suggestions or even tips from others mounting to a Perception Striker would be much appreciated.

Austin Kayak - 9 years ago

+Joey Palmer Typically when you mount a transducer you do it in one of 3 ways. Use an arm mount to dip it in the water off of the gunwale, thru hull mount it which requires gluing it to the inside of the hull, or scupper mount it which is the least safe of the 3 as it can damage the transducer if not done properly. I am assuming you are trying to thru hull mount this. It doesn't really matter where in the hull it is mounted -- as long has he has a flat area for gluing. So, the middle of the kayak should be acceptable. Please give us a call @ 888 828 3828 if you have any further questions. :D

Joseph Saeteurn - 9 years ago

so you don't really need a lot of the marine goop for the transducer? I did mines wrong then. I completely fill the inside of the install pad. so you just need a little to hold the transducer?

Austin Kayak - 9 years ago

+Joseph Saeteurn Correct. Just enough to hold the transducer. Thanks for watching, if you have any other questions please give us a call (888) 828 3828 or email us at customer@ack.com! Thanks.

Steve - 9 years ago

Do you have to glue the transducer to the surface? Could you just glue the foam piece and place the transducer inside it. And then maybe get some double sided velcro strips and strap the transducer down to hold it in place? I dont want to glue my transducer cause I have 1 fish finder for my boat but this would be easy to add to my kayak if I could avoid the glueing of the transducer. Thanks

Fishing with Hoffman - 6 years ago

guys the idea of it not being in the water is all bad

taprackbang88 - 6 years ago

Steve I am also curious aboiut this? Did you find out ?

Ernie Walker - 9 years ago

Thanks for a very informative video. i'm waiting on a 4x from lowrance to install on my kayak. i hope all goes well. you made it seem fairly easy. wish me luck!

yostevo42 - 9 years ago

How much goop are we using? Is it just enough to adhere the bottom of the transducer to the boat or are we submerging the entire transducer to make sure of a continuous sound wave transfer as I've seen on other tube videos?

Austin Kayak - 9 years ago

+YAKtacular Fishing Great question! You can do it either way, but in this case we are only applying enough to adhere the bottom of the transducer to the boat.

donald ferdinand - 9 years ago

what material did you use for your transducer pad?

Austin Kayak - 9 years ago

+donald ferdinand The material was our closed cell foam. Feel free to come to us with any further questions! Thanks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvbIVzQVPmk&google_comment_id=z13zsts4ikerc3nqi04cdnyaxre4vrlgjd0&google_view_type#gpluscomments

Guy Curtis - 9 years ago

Can a transducer work successfully mounted in a fixed and level position on the outside of a kayak?

Austin Kayak - 8 years ago

+Guy Curtis Typically, this shouldn't be an issue, but if you want to give us call at (888) 828 3828 or email us at customer@ack.com we can talk about your specific set up and what would work best!

Mike Savigs - 10 years ago

So the transducer doesn't have to be on the exterior of the kayak?

50. comment for How to Install a Fishfinder on Your Kayak

Bryan Johnson - 10 years ago

What kind of transducer is that?

Bruce H - 10 years ago

Awesome video, thanks for taking the time to put it together...

Joseph Thornton - 10 years ago

Can you do a video on how to install a fishfinder on a sit in kayak and does the hummingbird 386 ci compqtable with the installation kit

Bb Mason - 10 years ago

How long do the batteries usually last running the fish finder?

Joseph Orefice - 10 years ago

Do you need to drill a hole for the transducer ???

Fishing with Hoffman - 6 years ago

it does have supper holes in it too. thats gonna make people think even more that it wont sink

Fishing with Hoffman - 6 years ago

some people asking for advice might not be as smart as you. they could drill holes not thinking its gonna sink.

artsy fartsy stuff - 9 years ago

+Andy B omg!!!! r u for real??? u really answered that LOL LOL it was a stinkin joke, ask a stupid question u get stupid answers plain and simple. and I don't wanna hear oh they don't have a yak what would they know. put a hole in bottom of any floating device and see what happens is commen sense CHEESH!!

BTown830 - 9 years ago

+Andy B
It was a joke dumbass. Get the stick out of your ass and lighten up

Andy B - 9 years ago

Rubbish!! Transducers work through the hull as long as they are fitted correctly. If you drill holes in the hull to "let the sonar waves out" lol', it's gonna sink! Stop giving people stupid information!

BTown830 - 9 years ago

yes you need to drill a hole for the transducer. In fact, you should drill at least 4 holes around the transducer to allow the sonar waves in and out. Let us know how it works.

Andy B - 9 years ago

Dude are you for real? if you drill a hole in the bottom for the transducer the yak will.........! lol

skiiedude23 - 10 years ago

I tried this without marine goup and my finder read 0 ft is the goup necessary for the transducer to work?

harry hayward - 10 years ago

does it work with a garmin echo 300c

harry hayward - 10 years ago

ship to australia

thanks

kovid perng - 10 years ago

also what kinda of crimp connector did you use? and where did you get it?

Austin Kayak - 10 years ago

Hey Kovid,

Here is an answer to both questions.

Harness: http://www.austinkayak.com/products/12335/Philmore-Eight-AA-Battery-Connector-with-Snap-Connector.html
Connector: http://www.austinkayak.com/products/12339/2-Port-3M-Wire-Connector.html

Both items are included in the package as well.

kovid perng - 10 years ago

what is that battery harness that you are using for the 8aa batteries?

30milesOut - 10 years ago

super helpful... luv me some ack

Austin Kayak - 10 years ago

We enjoy watching your videos too Ty!

FishinMission2601 - 10 years ago

Can I cut out a foam pad out of any foam (like an anti fatigue mat)? Also, does it have to be marine goop or can it be any type of silicone? Thanks

Austin Kayak - 10 years ago

You can use any rigid foam. We choose to use closed cell foam as it does not adsorb water and is very rigid. We recommend Marine Goop versus silicone as silicone does not adhere well to the plastic surface of the kayak and will peel away easily in a short period of time.

Not Your Average Rush - 10 years ago

what type of transducer are you using? The one that came with the model or did you buy a through hull unit?

Austin Kayak - 10 years ago

Sorry for the delayed response! This is the stock transducer XNT-9-20-T that comes with the Humminbird 386.

Austin Kayak - 10 years ago

Palpac, the direction your transducer faces will make a difference on the read outs you get but it depends on your fish finder as well. For a regular fish finder, this shouldn't be an issue but for one with side-imaging it will affect things. I would give our customer service a call or email and they will be able to help you in more detail. Reach them via customer@austinkayak.com or 888-828-3828.

Palpac - 11 years ago

Quick question. Does it matter if the transducer is facing forwards or backwards? I have one mounted in my yak via scupper hole, it is sitting flat

Robertbruceb - 11 years ago

I have used different types of adhesives to hold the transducer in place but after a few months the transducer comes loose. I saw you used "Marine Goop" is that the brand name? and where did you get that transducer holder that you installed first? Whats it made of in case I have to fab one up. Thanks P.S. I used a motorcycle battery inside a water proof box kept inside the kayak.

Austin Kayak - 11 years ago

We just sent you a direct message so check your inbox and let us know if there's anything else we can help you with.

coolduong - 11 years ago

Hi how would i go on installing the transducer on a 3 layer polyethylene kayak?

Austin Kayak - 11 years ago

The 8 AA batteries in the kit are not rechargeable but you could buy 8 rechargeable AA batteries and use those if you wish. We are always happy to help with questions. Feel free to e-mail us at customer@ACK.com with any specific questions.

austinpowers30 - 11 years ago

so if i were to use the hummingbird fish finder you say that i should use the 12 volt battery. and if the battery dies is there a charger that u can use to refuel it. everything in the fisher finders installation kid is everything i need to hook one up. sorry for all the question I'm new to kayak world.

Austin Kayak - 11 years ago

With the 8 cycled AA batteries, you can probably squeeze 6-7 hours of use out of the fishfinder. A lot of what goes into determining your battery life depends on what type of fish finder you are powering and what features it has running. GPS units will suck the AA batteries dry quickly, as well as color fish finder units. For those 2 types of fish finders, I would recommend bumping up to a 12V battery for sustained running times.

Austin Kayak - 11 years ago

You can definitely use an inline fuse if you wish!

extremeoutdoors361 - 11 years ago

What about hte fuse?

brad parlow - 11 years ago

With the small battery and that particular fishfinder, what kind of battery life can you expect?

Austin Kayak - 11 years ago

As far as the amount of GOOP to use, just a thin bead will work and we do recommend using a popsicle stick or a toothpick to spread it around to get rid of the air bubbles because they could interfere with the transducer's reading.