Posts: 30
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2014
Reputation:
0
Okay you portable watercraft gurus, I'm getting ready to take the leap and get a fish finder for my 8' inflatable pontoon and I'm looking for suggestions. The ones I see that seem to be made for my situation are the "Humminbird Fishing Buddy Series" but I'm sure there must be others. Any information on the model you prefer and how you set it up would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to keep it under about $300.
Thanks in advance.
[signature]
Posts: 30
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2014
Reputation:
0
Holy Cow! I figured the information existed somewhere here but that is enough to keep me from getting any work done for a couple days....Thanks.
[signature]
Posts: 33,989
Threads: 447
Joined: Feb 2002
Reputation:
36
TubeDude spent a lot of time setting that up, hopefully it points you in the right direction.
[signature]
Posts: 15
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2008
Reputation:
0
Earlier in the summer I bought a Lowrance Elite 3X on Amazon for $99. They're on sale for 91 right now. I mounted it with Float Tube Fanatics UP2-B for $138. It includes a battery. It's a slick mounting system. The battery is compact and holds a charge well. The transducer mount is a "flip-down" so you can lift the transducer at the shore. The fish finder lacks bells and whistles but for the price, it's perfect for me. The "low" mounting system allows full range of motion for rowing and easy access to the fish finder. I bought the low mount because I have a Colorado XT and the oar mounts aren't quite as high as some other pontoons. I had a Fishing Buddy. It worked well, but created a lot of drag when rowing at higher speeds. Great rig - Great price!
Good Luck!
[signature]
Posts: 14,585
Threads: 202
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
I use the same system on ice, pontoon and my boat and it works very well. If you need more info be glad to pass it along. J
[signature]
Posts: 30
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2014
Reputation:
0
Thanks J,
I'd like to see a few pictures of how you rig it on your toon, if it's not too much trouble. I've been wading through the old posts and there's tons of good information but some of the pictures are gone from the toon specific installs
[signature]
Posts: 11,130
Threads: 4
Joined: Mar 2006
Reputation:
0
TD helped me get my humminbird 565 attached. Since then I have also attached another humminbird 571 HD DI to my toon. Here is a pic showing some of the attachment. It's all done with PVC. I also used a piece of plastic cutting board I purchased at Walmart to attach the unit as a base.
[signature]
Posts: 30
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2014
Reputation:
0
Wow, ask and you shall receive! That setup looks great, thanks TD. You have made PVC fabrication an art form. I suspect my end result wont be nearly as refined but I'll give it a shot. I may take take you up on your offer to help (which is very generous by the way) but not before I ruin a bunch of PVC trying it on my own. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Thanks everyone for you help!
[signature]
Posts: 36,163
Threads: 307
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
62
[#0000FF]I really wish there had been someone else before me who spent all the time and money I did in learning the "way of PVC". Kinda Zenish. On the positive side I have acquired a knowledge of the different properties of the different kinds of PVC...and the fittings available...and how to make them work for you. Bottom line is that PVC is a boon to "floatation fishermen" who want to add things simply and inexpensively to their craft. When I go out in my tube I have everything I need...and I know right where to reach for it when I need it. Makes for a more efficient and fun type of fishing.
I would be happy to provide whatever help you need to get properly rigged. I'm retired and my wife says that keeps me off the streets and out of trouble. Silly her.
Here's a section from my writeup on Tubin' and Toonin' that might help a little.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]
Posts: 14,585
Threads: 202
Joined: Jan 2011
Reputation:
15
Hey I see TD has been showing you his magic so I'll just put a picture here and you can tell I've followed the master. Good luck. J
[signature]
Posts: 11,130
Threads: 4
Joined: Mar 2006
Reputation:
0
Nice set up. I too have been a student of the master of PVC. Haven't reached the degree of PVC PHD as of yet though [sly]
[signature]
Posts: 36,163
Threads: 307
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
62
[#0000FF]You guys have all been good students.
I have my BS, MS and PHD. We all know what "BS" means. MS is more of the same. PHD is piled higher and deeper. Yep. I qualify.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]
![[Image: image.gif]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/images/gforum/files/image.gif)
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=65429"]SONAR MOUNT.jpg[/url] (452 KB)
]