Vexilar Open Water Transducer Kit

[Buford T]

Last year, I bought an old 14ft Lund for use on small lakes and rivers. I fixed it up nice, and now I'm looking to mount a Vexilar transducer. I've got an FL-8 that I use for ice fishing, and I was wondering if anyone has used silicone or the acoustic epoxy to mount a puck transducer inside a small boat like this. If that method is going to work, it should work on an old thin skinned boat like mine. I have my doubts, so I was thinking about mounting a high speed transducer on the transom, but I'm hesitant to do that, in case I run into some sandbars, or I want to beach the little boat somewhere.

I don't want to mess around with suction cups.

Anyone out there with some experience?

[ASTRO]

I used my FL8 in a buddys little lund last year and it worked great. All I did was get a small spot in the bottom of the boat wet near the back of the boat and just set my ice ducer there. I had to wet it down every now and then but it worked good for me.

[Ed Carlson]

You can use the ice puck and shoot through the hull. Just be sure to do it in the sump area and set the puck on a thin felt pad and wet it. A short piece of PVC tubing siliconed into the sump helps to keep the puck in place and can be used to store water to keep the puck wet and working well.

The Aluma-Ducer is the best option but the ice puck will work if you do not wish a permanent mounted ducer in the sump.

[pikehunter]

These guys are right on.

Another tip I picked up here a while ago: Next time you buy coffee, get the smaller can, and when you're done, paint the inside black. You can slip it right over the small the vex hood. It makes it MUCH easier to see in the light.

[ozzie]

Great tips guys sure to use them this summer! one ? though last year not being as smart as you I would just hang the ducer in the water to just check depths... obviously not a good way cause we would have to not be moving to get a read but if I put it in the bottom of the boat will it read depth changes as I am drifting/moving??

[MrBig]

So you guys are saying that you can shoot thru an aluminum hull and read with no problem?

If so, how about setting a small clear plastic dish on the floor to hold the water, then put the ducer in that?

[katoguy]

Big, nope - then you are defeating the purpose of the water. You'll have air gaps under the dish.

Just like on ice, unless near ideal conditions, you need to wet the top of the ice to get a real good reading. If you put the transducer in a dish of water, and then set the dish on the ice you wouldn't get a good reading either. The gap of air is the enemy.

If you epoxy the transucer on the floor make sure to not get air bubbles in the epoxy.

[MrBig]

Thanks! Just thinking about when I go to Canada and have the suction cup to hold the transducer on the back. Sometimes it slips off, so I was looking for an alternative. Sounds like you can set the transducer in the back and shot thru the hull -- there's always water in the back of those boats!