FL-18 open water - where to mount

[Boosey]

I've had an FL-18 for two years that I've only used for winter. Awesome. I'd like to put in on my Pro-V this spring, but am not sure what transducer to use. I bought the trolling motor mount last year, but didn't like dealing with the cord everytime I raised and lowered the motor. How do they work in Through-Hull installations, or would I be better off with a high speed transducer off the back. How did you install yours.

Thanks

[Guest]

Call the Motor Clinic in Bloomington, MN.

They carry all the high-speed transducers, power cables, mounting hardware for your Vex to go on a ProV.

You'll want to mount the ducer on the transom, no-through-hull on Aluminum boats.

You'll love the Vex on your boat too!

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Chells

[marine_man]

Boosey,

Chells is right... thru hull only works well on fiberglass boats.

I would either go for the high speed or the trolling motor mounting. Depending on how you mount and route the wires on the trolling motor the wires can be a hassle. But, if you mount it correctly they really aren't an issue. If you are open to this possibility let me know and I'll go into depth...

I find a bow mounted depth finder with the transducer mounted on the trolling motor to be a extremely handy tool.

[Grabs]

I plan to do this this spring also, please let me know how the best way to mount this to a Power drive would be.

[email protected]

[marine_man]

The way we always mounted them while I worked for a marine dealer was to tie wrap the wires twice at the bottom (the powerhead side), with one tie wrap right next to the other to keep the wire tight at the bottom. Then route the wire through the grab handle, and then tie wrap the wires twice again at the top of the shaft. While this doesn't allow for complete deployment of the shaft you're only losing 1/2" of depth. Then, route the wire through the coiled control wire running to the top of the shaft (put a tie wrap at the top, near the top of the shaft and where the cable enters the mounting base of the unit), bringing the wire down to where the coiled wire goes into the mounting base of the unit.

Once you're there you have a couple options. A company called ******(e-mail me if you want to know) makes some plastic posts that you can wrap the excess wire onto... you replace the factory bolts that hold the side covers on and bolt these posts in their place... which works really slick... Otherwise you can wrap the cable up and tie wrap it together... which isn't too bad either...

And that's all there is to it.. of course, if we were all made of money we'd just buy a new Minn kota trolling motor with the transducer built in, right?

[This message has been edited by marine_man (edited 03-03-2003).]

[Kevin Turner]

Hey guys, I beg to differ on the thru install. I run a Fl-8 & edge on my aluminum 3/16" bottom. It works great.

[MNUser]

I would be interested in hearing how you mounted the FL-18 to the trolling motor without the wires driving you crazy.

I was going to mount one this Spring but have wondered how with the wires and all. I have a PD unit on the bow.

Thanks

[Boosey]

I also have a Powerdrive on my boat. I zip tied the cable near the bottom of the transducer and could not zip tie again at the top of the trolling motor shaft. Most of the time I need my trolling motor to drop all the way into the lowest position so I can not tie it off on top. It won't tie off along the shaft because it needs to slide up and down. If there's a better way, I be interested in how. Thanks.