? for you bird owners with SI

[mabr]

OK I broke down and bought a 898 Si at the sports show. I have the unit head unit mounted but im stuck on the transducer. It comes with the standard transom mount hardware but im not sure I want this option. HB offers free exchange for the drill through SI ducer and I think thats what Im going to do because of the clean look. Am I making a mistake in doing this?

Also Im in limbo over where to mount the gps puck. Ive searched BBC and seen a few pics on there but want your guys opinion on location. Right now im thinking right in front of the finder. I know the closer to the ducer the truer the way point but man 5 ft is close enough to me. Thoughts? Or where do you have yours mounted?

Oh I guess I should say its on a Ranger with the step back transom

[Deitz Dittrich]

Mine is mounted to my jack plate. I get scared drilling holes.. Especially in the bottom of the boat. I think Wayne Ek did it though. I can not get a reading at speed, but I have 2 ducers.. and a switch on my dash. When at speed I hit the switch and it switches to a through hull ducer(No hole..LOL). My gps puck is mounted in the back.. near the SI ducer.. so when marking things off to the side it will be close.

[Superduty]

Anytime you drill into fiberglass, there is a risk. If the hole is not sealed properly, you could get water intrusion and even delamination of the hull.

[Wayne Ek]

DD. I chickened out also. Mounted mine on the transom.

[mabr]

Wayne do you have any pics? I wish I had a jack plate but dont.

I know on my previous boats I had transom mounted on most electronics but this boat has everything xcept trolling motor all shoot through. Just something about seeing the wires running up when there are no wires there now.

[Wayne Ek]

Here is a couple of photos.

[leech~~]

Don't under estimate the holding power of 100% silicone! I mounted my ducer by making a small plate out of aluminum counter sunk some flat SS screws in the back side and bolted my ducer to that. Ruffed up a little spot on the transom the size of the plate and siliconed it on the back of my boat holding it on until it hardened with ductape. The boat is a 1995 and it has been stuck to the boat since new all this time! Without drilling any holes!

[Central Bassman]

Totally off topic but Mabr your profile picture is BA!!!

[leech~~]

Totally off topic but Mabr your profile picture is BA!!!

He use to be a "chick" magnet, now he just attracts Deer!