Hummingbird SI transducer mount on Skeeter's ?

[jfdawson]

Just curious.... Those of you who own the Hummingbird Side Imaging units, where are you mounting the tranducers? I've considered buying one, but seems to me that I'd want the unit on the trolling Motor so I can see it when fishing... But turning left or right seems like it would mess up any of the side imaging features, which would be the ONLY reason I would buy it to begin with. Currently I own a Lowrance X25c on the console and X135 on the bow. Both have PUCK style transducers mounted on the TM and inside by the drain plug. If you mounted any transducer on the outside, do you have issues with it getting knocked off when loading/unloading the trailer or hitting stumps? I saw where replacement Hummingbird SI transducers were about $230 each... That seems awefully expensive to replace if you make a mistake or rub it off on a stump.

Anyone else given this subject much thought?

Thanks!
JD

[Jason Hale]

The ones we have sold have had the SI transducer for the console mounted on the jack plate, with a transducer switch to a glassed in one in the hull for running, since the SI on the jack plate won't pick up running down the lake. I am sure Doug will be here soon to put a little more light on the subject.

[Doug Vahrenberg]

I install the SI on the Jackplate and a 2D inhull with the AS SI DB Y Cable to provide 2D Readings at High Speed.



I also run SI on the trolling motor with a TM mounted transducer:



It works great in both places. I probably use the SI at the console more especially for finding structure and fish and use the TM mounted only while fishing. Both are useful but I can more faster from the console. But the TM mounted has helped me catch more.

If you really want to learn more about SI I would check out the SI Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sideimaging/

[jfdawson]

Jason/Doug.

Thanks. I appreciate the pictures.

I really want one, but the $2000 price tag is out of the question at the moment. It looks like a great tool and from reading the forums and seeing what type of detail people are able to see with it, it looks like the best new add on in a long time.

Is there a bracket that you used to mount it on the Jackplate or did you just drill holes and go to home Depot and make your own?

Thanks again!
Jeff

[Doug Vahrenberg]

Skeeter Jackplates already have the added hole at the bottom. Go buy a 3/8" Bolt Approximately 5" Long and 3 Nuts. Mount the bolt thru the Jackplate Hole and Nut it on the backside to lock the bolt to the jackplate. Then discard the top mounting pin and screw that come with the transducer and add one nut then the transducer then a nut on the other side. Adjust the nuts to tighten the transducer enough to keep it from moving. I keep mine a hair loose as another form of protecting the transducer. I use the longer bolt to clear the inside of the jackplate plate that the adjustment bolts screw into so if the transducer ever trips it will clear the plate.

When you really look at what getting Side Imaging Costs it's not that much more:

$350 in the 700 Series Units 797c2 vs 787c2
$500 in the 900 Series Units 997c vs 957c

[sktrsrule]

Doug,
do you recomend installingit on the jack plate or the transom? i just bought a 797 and am wondering where to put it

[javelin90]

Doug what is the model number of the transducer you have mounted on the trolling motor?
Thanks,

[rr_engineer]

go thru the hull with a xpth 9 hdsi 180 and use some 3m 5200 adhesive

[Bassbait]

Doug do you have any pics of how you mounted it with the 5" bolt ?

[Doug Vahrenberg]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by javelin90 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Doug what is the model number of the transducer you have mounted on the trolling motor?
Thanks,</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is the Humminbird 797c2/798c Trolling Motor Transducer: XTM-9-SI-180-T

I have also found better solutions for the HDSi Transducer on the trolling motor and Jackplate. Transducer Shield and Saver builds mounting options that also offer protection of the transducer.

Trolling Motor set-up for HDSi Transducera:




SlideMaster Jackplate with Custom fit Transducer Shield:




Check out my Videos Page I have a couple clips on Mounting and Rigging that will help you install: http://www.dougvahrenberg.com/Videos.html

[blackknife]

Got mine on my jack plate (2003 TZX 190)




HB has since sent me a transducer interference kit that included the bigger transducer so I had to modify the mount a little, but it's basically the same. it works great on my boat

[bradg4780]

I don't have a jackplate on my boat so is the best alternatitive to attach it to the hull?

[Doug Vahrenberg]

You can attach to the transom but you need to make sure it is below and behind any obstructions like the sponsons on a Skeeter. If you watched my rigging video I use a string to find where the best location is so the signal does not get blocked by the boat or accessories mounted on the back of the boat.

[mharris201]

BLACKKNIFE...WHERE DID U GET THAT BRACKET ? ....THATS WHAT I NEED FOR MY ZX 190 TO CLEAR THE SPONSOONS....

[reelman]

Driver's side of j-plate...inside with a strong ss bolt...at least that worked for me...its been over a year and about 75 water days...

[blackknife]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mharris201 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">BLACKKNIFE...WHERE DID U GET THAT BRACKET ? ....THATS WHAT I NEED FOR MY ZX 190 TO CLEAR THE SPONSOONS....</TD></TR></TABLE>

To be quite honest, it was just something I found in my garage "junk drawer" It's really just an aluminum arm about 8 or 9 inches long with a few holes in it. it's pretty thick though. sorry I can't tell you where to get one....I guess I kind of lucked out

[altobugman]

yall aint afraid of knockin off on a stump or sumpn like that.... got lots and lots of stumps around here, and i am scared to spend that kind of money and knock off the transducer and break it. but i guess thats a price you pay to play....

[soonerrep]

I talked to skeeter plant and they told me you can mount them on the step on the back of a skeeter. Said found to be very safe mounted up flush. Hard to get a stump to get around the step because you would have to be very high centered to do that with the bottom of the boat being so much lower. said the angle of a side scan will miss the boat. Just need to mount in the center. Did it and went to the lake. Worked perfect. Feel safer there than hanging off the boat. buts that just me.

[blackknife]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by altobugman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yall aint afraid of knockin off on a stump or sumpn like that.... got lots and lots of stumps around here, and i am scared to spend that kind of money and knock off the transducer and break it. but i guess thats a price you pay to play.... </TD></TR></TABLE>

never been an issue for me. I'm real careful about where the back end of my boat is too, and there ain't much in the line of stumps etc where I fish.

[fishin couillon]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by soonerrep &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I talked to skeeter plant and they told me you can mount them on the step on the back of a skeeter. </TD></TR></TABLE> I don't know cause the step curves back to meet the side of the boat. It looks like it might block the "view" of the ducer signal.