Hey guys I have a question about mounting the transducer. I have a Ascend FS12 sit in kayak and so far I have been using the electricians putty approach by making a bowl out of the putty in the bottom of my kayak and filling it with water, then putting the transducer in that bowl and forming the putty to it so it doesn't move around. The problem with this mount is that I can see the depth of the water I'm in but not much else. I wasn't even able to read the depth the other day so I just put the transducer directly in the water and was immediately impressed with how much clearer and readable the bottom was.

I have seen several home made transducer mounts that actually go into the water and I think I want to try to make one. I have looked at the Liberator by Mad Frog, but I have seen some really cool transducer mounts on here. Can you guys give me some pointers and maybe some how-to's?

P.S. I am using an X-4 pro and don't see myself using this FF forever so I don't really want to goop it to my hull. I would like to move it to my other kayak when I get a new FF eventually.

Thanks!

Using actual "Amazing Goop Marine Goop" makes it fairly easy to remove the transducer with just a putty knife, it's not permanent. That being said, Lowrance and Humminbird don't make a TON of transducers. You might do some research and decide that the next fish finder you want happens to use the same transducer. I do know that DSI requires the transducer be in the water. If down scan imaging is your goal, then you will certainly need to go external.

The fastest and cleanest way to go external with the FS12T you might be to install a small GearTrack between the front hatch and the footwell and then mount a Liberator or a home made mount there. You're directly next to the front hatch so you could pass cables there but I'm a big fan of the West Marine Wirecap or a small grommet followed up with Marine Goop to keep it water tight.

Second option would be to install a mount on the keel. The butt end of the FS12T is flat and wide and obviously designed to fit an after market rudder. You could use an L bracket riveted on the keel and a pass the transducer cable through a West Marine Wirecap or a small grommet. You're going to need to fish that transducer cable 10 or so feet to the front hatch. If you don't have a set of push rods then a stiff solid core wire might work. Expect foam blocks in the hull to provide some stiffness in the cockpit, so don't be shocked when you run into them. That said, there is no hull access in the rear of the FS12T. You're really going to have to be confident in your riveting skills and take into account the risk of knocking the transducer around should you slide the keel up and over a rock or tree stump. There was a post on here with a spring mounted transducer but I have not located it. Photo bucket is blocked at work so that makes it even harder to find.

If anyone is thinking scupper mount, well. You're out of luck on the FS12T. The scuppers are my only real complaint with the boat. They are small and in no way an option for transducer install.

Hope this sparks an idea or two.

I wasn't worried about not being able to get the transducer off ever, I just didn't want to not be able to reuse the transducer in my other kayak.

Also I actually have sit in version of the FS12. I think they boats are similar enough though that your information will still hold true. I am actually looking at the elite 4x dsi for my next FF. I saw the rear installed transducer earlier this year and it looked pretty slick but I couldn't find the link again.

Thanks for your info Cc

Oops! Would have been nice if I had READ the model correctly! Hope you work it out. Make sure you give us some pics when you make your mind up with it!

Does anyone have a link to a transducer mount at the rear of the yak?

I'm not familiar with the rear of a Ascend. But with my Adventure I have a adapter screwed in side the drain plug. Then a double ball socket with a screwball attached to the original Humminbird bracket.

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I love this install!!!

Is this a home made mount?

If so, that is AWESOME!!!

How did you make it? If not where do you buy it?

Thanks

The spring is a Stainless Steel medium strength for a CB radio antenna that I bought from a CB radio dealer. The brass rod is a 3/8" solid brass rod that I bought from a local metal supplier. I found some on the internet but by the time I bought their minimum order and paid shipping I was looking at $50 so I drove across town and got what I needed for $3. I used a threading die to cut (fine 24/per inch) threads to match the spring. Everything is stainless or brass. If you need any more info let me know.
I've had a chance to fish a lot with this set up and so far it has work without a hitch, I've hit it on many stick ups.

Wow, great setup thanks for the info.

Really like the spring mount. I just made a rear mount for my Ride (copied from Chris Coufal's Ride mount) but I want to try this one also. I found a medium SS spring from Fry's here in Austin but I think it is a little too long for my application. I found a smaller version that is only 2" long http://www.americanradiosupply.com/opek-s-30s-light-duty-straight-spring-for-antenna-whips/. Should be in tomorrow. I still need to make a bracket that can slide behind the Wilderness rudder mount.

Thanks for posting that one!

Steve, nice to see ya over here!

Thanks Rob,

Finally, here is my copy of it. Looks solid...haven't had it in the water yet. Test coming this week.

Oh yeah, please ignore my on the water rudder cable fix in that second pic. Not sure how that pin came out.

I've got several different ideas for you. Come by and bring some photos of your boat and we can really brain storm. We should have everything that you will need to get you set up. Being a sit in, I am thinking that a Mad Frog TDA on a Mighty Mount might be a good and easily transferable combo.

We're not too far from Grpaevine. Just on I-35 between Royal and Walnut Hill and just inside the 635 Loop.