How to Put a Depth Finder on a Boat

The wide variety of brands and styles of depth finders on the market offers a range of benefits for fishermen. A sensor receives sound waves that hit the bottom of a boat. Therefore, installing a depth finder on your boat requires drilling a hole in the hull for optimal positioning of the sensor. This is as important as properly installing the screen for maximum visual effects, since a depth finder shows the depths of the water and objects in it, like fish, rocks or trees.

Things You'll Need

• Drill
• Drill bit
• Phillips screwdriver
• Silicone

Instructions

1. Locate the brackets in the package supplied for mounting the screen. These have pre-drilled holes.

2. Sit in the area where you generally drive and glance around for the best location for a depth finder screen. Locate a spot where you would like to place the screen and mark it with a pencil.

3. Hold the mounting bracket in place with one hand and mark the location of the holes with your other hand. Pre-drill the holes for the screws buy using a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the screws. Place the brackets over the holes and make sure they match.

4. Secure the bracket with screws. Use a Phillips screwdriver; but do not over tighten the screws.

5. Place the depth finder screen in the bracket. Generally, it snaps or clips securely into the bracket. Make sure it is not loose.

6. Find a suitable location for the transducer. It should be located on the outside of the boat on the stern, just below the bottom of your boat.

7. Mark the holes for the transducer's bracket on the bottom of boat. Place the transducer in the bracket and hold it steady before drilling the holes. Use a drill bit smaller than the screws to pre-drill the holes.

8. Mount the transducer's bracket to the boat. Use silicone as a sealant and cover the screws. This prevents water from seeping in through the holes. Place the transducer in the bracket.

9. Guide the cable from the transducer back to the depth finder screen. Run it along the edge of the boat so it is not easily pulled. Connect the wire to the depth finder. Attach the red wire to the positive side of your battery and the black wire to the negative side. Turn the power on and test the depth finder.

Tips & Warnings

• Test your depth finder before you put the boat into the water so you can troubleshoot any problems.

References

• Fishin Report: Using the Fish Finder
• Bassdozer: Depth Finders
• Catching Crappie: Using Your Depth Finder