Fish finder on a drifter

kwik · 07-12-2007, 06:43 AM

I have a 17 foot glass drift boat with a motor well. I want to mount a fishfinder either in the motor well. The well has a bottom plate that I put on when drifting but it would be nice to have a finder for tide water.

What is the best location to mount the transducer? Next to the motor pointed to the stern? Will I get any distortion being this close to the motor? Will some fish finders read through the bottom plate? It is less that a 1/4 inch thick fiberglass.

Thanks,

Kwik

Two Fister · 07-12-2007, 09:36 AM

Kwik,
I think with a glass boat you could actually mount it inside of the boat as the transducer can shoot right through the hull with the right type of transducer. Some guys just lay them in the bottom of the boat and others epoxy them in an out of the way spot. I have an aluminum boat and I just use suction cups to stick it to the side of the boat when on the lakes/tidewater. That way it's gone when running rivers.
TF

Starfish · 07-12-2007, 11:20 AM

Any normal transducer should shoot right through fiberglass with no problem, either from inside the hull or inside the motor well. On a big boat you need to be sure there's not a double hull but a drift boat should be no problem. Either epoxy it in place or consider making a small moat or well on the preferred spot and pour a cup of water in it when fishing.

Typically you don't want the transducer right at the motor to avoid interference but in practice I doubt you'd have any trouble at trolling speeds. One of my transducers sits right near my kicker on my powerboat and works perfectly.

kwik · 07-12-2007, 01:57 PM

Thank you! This should work out well then. The motor well already gets some water in it when the bottom plate is on. Thanks again,

Kwik

stupenny5 · 07-12-2007, 02:27 PM

If you want some fun. Mount it on a movable rod same concept as a fishing buddy. you then can make it directional I have fun driving people nut with the fish. Just remember some fish keep their mouth closed.

One day sitting at my favorite spot when we had a fish moving at 8ft it would be a biter. that was a cool day.

kwik · 07-12-2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stupenny5

If you want some fun. Mount it on a movable rod same concept as a fishing buddy. you then can make it directional I have fun driving people nut with the fish. Just remember some fish keep their mouth closed.

One day sitting at my favorite spot when we had a fish moving at 8ft it would be a biter. that was a cool day.

I like that idea!