How to Install Fish Finders on Pleasure Boats
Fish finders are invaluable tools for fishermen. Also known as bottom machines, these devices give accurate, real-time information on the conditions below and around the vessel. Information on bottom composition and shape along with depth and water temperature is gathered and presented on a console screen. Fish and other marine life may be detected, identified and tracked, which is useful to work out a fishing strategy. They can also contribute to navigation by giving details of the bottom shape that a navigator can use to discover what their position is on the chart.
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Things You'll Need
- Safety glasses
- Drill motor
- Pilot drill bit
- 1/4-inch drill bit
- Polyurethane caulk
- Caulk gun
- Marker pen
- Phillips screwdriver
- Pair of male 12-gauge butt connectors
- Pair of female 12-gauge butt connectors
- Electrical crimping tool
Instructions
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Mounting the Transducer
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1
Position the transducer mounting plate on the transom below the waterline and far enough outboard to be clear of interference by the propeller or the hull. Usually this is about halfway between the centerline and the outboard edge. If there are ribs or structures on the hull that may cause turbulence, you must stay clear of these areas.
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2
Mark the screw holes with the pen and remove the transducer mount. Drill a pilot hole in each of the screw-hole marks. Try to keep the holes straight into the work and perpendicular to the surface of the transom.
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3
Apply a coat of polyurethane caulk to the transducer mounting plate and the mounting screws provided with the transducer. Position the transducer mount, and screw it down firmly, but be careful to not strip out the screws. Wipe off the excess caulk that squeezes out.
Wiring
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4
Drill a 1/4-inch hole through the transom above the transducer and above the waterline. Snake the transducer wire through the transom and lead it to your console position. Be careful to route it out of harms way so it cannot be tripped over or jerked out.
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5
Cut two lengths of 12-gauge wire long enough to reach from the main bus-bar or your main battery bank. Connect one wire to the positive and one wire to the negative side. Crimp a male butt connector onto the negative wire and a female to the positive wire. Crimp their mates to the console power wires. This will prevent you from accidentally connecting it with the wrong polarity.
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6
Twist the power feed wires from the battery to the console. This will create a self-canceling field around the wires so the current flow will not interfere with the compass or other electronic devices. Fasten the new wires down with cable straps or duct tape or any other convenient method to keep them contained and out of harms way.
Mounting the Console
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7
Remove the console screen from the mounting bracket. Position the bracket and mark the screw holes. Drill a pilot hole in each of the marks.
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8
Screw the bracket down with the factory screws. Be careful to not over torque the screws and strip them out. Make sure the screws bite into good material, not rotten or soft wood. If the factory-provided screws are not long enough to achieve this, then longer screws will be needed.
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9
Plug the transducer feed into the back of the console. Plug the power feed wires into the battery power wires. The unit should be ready to power up and be tested now. The transducer may be aimed forward or aft if you discover that you are overrunning or underrunning your transducer signal. Test it at rest and at moderate speeds.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Allow 24 hours for the caulking to dry before submerging.
Be careful to not hit anything important when drilling holes into the boat. The transom and your console mounting surface may have systems hidden behind it that can be damaged by a drill bit. Wear safety goggles or glasses when working with the drill motor.
