| One key decision you need to make before | | | | are attached to the inside of the hull, usually in |
| purchasing a Hummingbird fishfinder is how and | | | | back towards the transom. A hole is drilled into |
| where you are going to mount it. You need to | | | | the hull, in which the transducer is placed. There is |
| ask yourself one question: are you going to be | | | | some debate as to whether you would want to |
| using your fishfinder on just one boat, or are you | | | | actually drill a hole into your boat, as technology |
| going to need to move it from boat to boat as | | | | may change over time and you may want a |
| needed? | | | | different fishfinder some time down the road. |
| Let's take a look at the options you have if you | | | | Others are leery of possible leaks, although if |
| want to permanently mount your fish finder to | | | | properly installed, this should not be an issue. |
| one boat and leave it there. | | | | A third option is what is termed a "shoot through |
| Economical fish finders will come with the | | | | hull" transducer, where the signal is directed |
| standard-issue mounting bracket and transom | | | | directly through the hull of the boat. These are |
| mounting transducers. This is the least expensive | | | | used on fiberglass boats, and have the obvious |
| way to mount your Hummingbird fishfinder and is | | | | advantage of not having to drill any holes in the |
| perfectly acceptable. You want to find a spot | | | | hull. They are typically glued to the inside of the |
| near the "captain's chair" or wherever you will be | | | | hull with an epoxy glue for a strong solid bond. |
| fishing from. You will mount the bracket using the | | | | The disadvantages of this kind on mounting |
| included hardware to any flat surface where you | | | | system are: |
| will not be drilling into other wiring or mechanical | | | | - The signal is generally weaker that other |
| parts, usually a place made of wood or metal. | | | | mounts, as the signal must pass through the boat |
| The display is then attached to the bracket, and | | | | as well as the water. |
| tightened down to secure it. A wire is run from | | | | - They cannot be used on aluminum, wood, or |
| the display back to the transducer. Depending on | | | | steel hulls. |
| the boat, you may be able to hide the wire under | | | | - They are typically more difficult to interpret fish |
| flooring or where the cables for the steering and | | | | echoes as well. |
| motor controls are. Wherever you run the wire, | | | | The advantages are: |
| make sure it is secure and out of the way of | | | | - They cannot be knocked off the boat by a |
| incidental contact. | | | | submerged rock or stump |
| As far the transducer is concerned, you will want | | | | - It works well at high speeds |
| to mount it on the transom in a spot where it will | | | | - There is no marine growth on the transducer |
| be submerged both at low speeds and high | | | | itself since it never comes in contact with water |
| speeds, avoiding interference with the prop, | | | | The last type of mounts are used for portable |
| preferably on centerline. If your boat has a ladder, | | | | units. The obvious advantages of these are the |
| mount it on the opposite side to avoid | | | | fact they can be moved from boat to boat, and |
| entanglement and possible damage to the | | | | do not require any permanent installation on or in |
| transducer. | | | | your hull. Brackets are available to mount your |
| When you screw it the mounting bracket, make | | | | display unit using clamps that attach to the side, |
| sure you use a bedding compound suitable for | | | | corner, or bench of your boat. Transducers can |
| marine use, such as Bostik 920 or similar product, | | | | be mounted using suction cups or brackets that |
| to prevent leaks. Be sure the transducer is aligned | | | | clamp to your boat. They make mounts for |
| so that it is pointing straight down, as many | | | | trolling motors, and even have trolling motors with |
| transoms are angled. Remember, you want to | | | | transducers built right in them. |
| make sure the transducer is mounted securely, | | | | As you can see, there is a way to mount your |
| since it will be subject to a lot of force at high | | | | Hummingbird fishfinder on any boat. Evaluate the |
| speeds. | | | | above factors, and you will find the right choice |
| Another type of transducer is called a "through | | | | for your situation. |
| hull" transducer, common in inboard boats. These | | | | |