Need help choosing a depth finder

keithdog · 12-20-06, 09:58 PM

Hope you guys can help. I need to buy a new depth finder. Here is my problem. I have a 12 foot john boat. I don't have it on a trailor, but rather, haul it in the back of my pickem'up truck. I can't decide if I should get a portable or a permanent mount depth finder. If I go permanent, I can easily take the main body out for storage. But my worry is this. I often have to drag my boat out of the water and across the ground or ramp to get it onto the truck bed. I'm worried that if I have the transducer mounted onto the stern of the boat flush with the bottom of the boat I may damage the transducer when I drag the boat onto shore. I could go portable but most models I find have mounts for the trolling motor. Thats cool if I have my motor. But I don't always use my motor especially if it is just a quick outting. It's been so long since I bought a depth finder. Not since I was 21 and owned a bass boat which obviously was a permanent mount. I'm 47 now......soooo..... The bass boat is gone now. ANy ideas, suggestions????? By the way, Happy Holidays to you all.

Rebbasser · 12-21-06, 01:16 AM

keith-if you mount the transducer so it shoots through the hull that will eliminate damage to the transducer. The downside is you won't have a water temp reading. Take a look at the Humminbird 500 series. I have 2 565's and they do the job. These models have a base that mounts on the boat but also has a push button on the back of the unit so you can remove the housing that has the screen. Not portable but not permanent either.

These units also swivel so you can mount the base at almost any angle and it is still readable.

keithdog · 12-21-06, 08:37 AM

Thanks Reb, I'll check them out

lizardsrule · 12-21-06, 05:19 PM

Just mount it on the transom, just above the bottom. Every transducer I've had is equipped with either a breakaway type mount, or adjustable, to rotate it up, and out of harms way on draggin it. It's mainly because if you are moving through the water and hit something with it and can pop up, without damaging it. Now banging it around and such is a whole different issue. Might I suggest mounting some screws, through the transom, and then use some wing nuts to attach/detach it quickly, but use locking washers, so as not to have them come undone during boat movements.

Lizards

keithdog · 12-22-06, 12:10 AM

Ahhhh, some good thoughts there lizards. I'll check out the mounts for sure. Thanks for the tip.

12-20-06, 09:58 PM	#1
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	Need help choosing a depth finder Hope you guys can help. I need to buy a new depth finder. Here is my problem. I have a 12 foot john boat. I don't have it on a trailor, but rather, haul it in the back of my pickem'up truck. I can't decide if I should get a portable or a permanent mount depth finder. If I go permanent, I can easily take the main body out for storage. But my worry is this. I often have to drag my boat out of the water and across the ground or ramp to get it onto the truck bed. I'm worried that if I have the transducer mounted onto the stern of the boat flush with the bottom of the boat I may damage the transducer when I drag the boat onto shore. I could go portable but most models I find have mounts for the trolling motor. Thats cool if I have my motor. But I don't always use my motor especially if it is just a quick outting. It's been so long since I bought a depth finder. Not since I was 21 and owned a bass boat which obviously was a permanent mount. I'm 47 now......soooo..... The bass boat is gone now. ANy ideas, suggestions????? By the way, Happy Holidays to you all.

12-21-06, 01:16 AM	#2
Rebbasser BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 10,141	keith-if you mount the transducer so it shoots through the hull that will eliminate damage to the transducer. The downside is you won't have a water temp reading. Take a look at the Humminbird 500 series. I have 2 565's and they do the job. These models have a base that mounts on the boat but also has a push button on the back of the unit so you can remove the housing that has the screen. Not portable but not permanent either. These units also swivel so you can mount the base at almost any angle and it is still readable. __________________ It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3

12-21-06, 05:19 PM	#4
lizardsrule BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saint Augustine, FL Posts: 7,374	Just mount it on the transom, just above the bottom. Every transducer I've had is equipped with either a breakaway type mount, or adjustable, to rotate it up, and out of harms way on draggin it. It's mainly because if you are moving through the water and hit something with it and can pop up, without damaging it. Now banging it around and such is a whole different issue. Might I suggest mounting some screws, through the transom, and then use some wing nuts to attach/detach it quickly, but use locking washers, so as not to have them come undone during boat movements. Lizards __________________ There are three types of Snakes I hate 1. Live Snakes 2. Dead Snakes 3. Sticks that look like Snakes. And Gators too!

12-21-06, 08:37 AM	#3
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	Thanks Reb, I'll check them out

12-22-06, 12:10 AM	#5
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	Ahhhh, some good thoughts there lizards. I'll check out the mounts for sure. Thanks for the tip.

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