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[  ]Picked up my Sportsmans 9 last night along with a ram mount for my Fish finder. I got it all put together today and put the ram mount and sonar on my toon. I just u bolted the ram mount to the frame, I am planning to mount the battery and transducer off of the rear cargo deck some how.
The ram mount gives me a lot of adjustment so I can position the sonar right where I want it. I can't wait to get it on the water. My sonar is a fishmark 320. Any tips on mounting the transducer would be appreciated.[ ]
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Looking good! Whens the maiden voyage?
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[cool][#0000ff]Don't know if you looked at the pics on the sonar mounting pictorial I just did, for the Eagle Cuda 168 EX. I also have the Fishmark 320 and the skimmer transducer is the same. You can mount it on a PVC shaft and use bungee cord.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Or, you can do something like I am trying for the first time tomorrow on my toon. See pics. I am using unglued 1/2" PVC to stick into the top part of the transducer shaft, and then I can rotate it up and down as needed.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I had thought of just running a piece of PVC under the frame, for friction.[/#0000ff]
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Friday, thru Sunday!
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I just rigged this up quickly today as long as I don't put my motor on it it will work fine, I can adjust the depth very easily and It can be raised in shallow water to avoid hitting bottom and be raised all the way for transportation, the pics aren't the best because my toon is loaded to go down to Sand Hollow for its maiden voyage![ ] I still need to get it on the water to get everything adjusted just right. I will put my battery in my side pocket for now but eventually I think i'll figure out a way to mount it on the cargo deck in a way that it can be removed quickly for charging.
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[cool][#0000ff]Looks like it will do the job. I just gotta say that it looks like a lot of hardware and extra contraption to catch things on, for just mounting a transducer. If you are like most of us, your creativity and some on the water experience will help you refine it to the max.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good luck down south.[/#0000ff]
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[ ]just got back from Sand Hollow. I love the toon, the fishing was awesome we caught around 40 fish each, we were catching so many we quit counting. I'll post a report on the Utah boards in the next day or so, but I gotta get cleaned up now. Everything worked well on my toon, I think an anchor is a must, or you need to wear fins to hold your position. Enven the slightest of breezes can send you drifting in a hurry![blush]
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Hunt4BigBucks, I like your style. My suggestion on you transducer is go ahead and use that clamp, but try it under (the back part) of your seat with the eye about an inch from the ground with the inflated boat sitting on a flat surface.
Then only have to be in the water a couple of inches for an accurate reading. That will get it out of the way also, if you ever want to mount a motor.
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Those pictures remind me of a neighbor that I had who built a small boat in his basement, only to find out that it would not fit out the door.
Luckly yours will be easier to disassemble.
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Nice set up on the toon.Which do you prefer, toon or float tube. I can't decide if I should spent the money to buy a new float tube or just go for a pontoon. Any info from anyone would help on my decision.
Thanks.
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I think that depends on where you frequently fish. I know a lot prefer the tube, but I prefer the toon.
If you fish a lot in like the Uinta's, or places you must hike to, then by all means a tube. But if you fish mostly places that you can drive right up to, then a toon.
Reasons are, 1. You have the option of oars along with flippers. 2. you sit out of the water more for late fall or early spring fishing. 3. Again you are out of the water a little more for casting (specially Fly Fishing).
Down sides, a tube is easier to transport.
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Thanks for the info. This is my first year fishing from a float tube and so far I've enjoyed it, but I can see the advantage of having a toon so you can use oars and flippers. Right now I'm only fishing lakes that I can drive to so I'm not worried about hiking in anywhere to fish. I was just worried that I wouldn't be able to get around as freely in a toon as you can in a tube while your fishing because you have to use oars. If using flippers allows hands free movement then I would go for the toon.
Thanks again.
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I own 2 different float tubes and I would never get in them again, I LOVE my pontoon boat, you can control your position really easy with fins on, not to mention you are completely out of the water, except for a couple inches of your legs. The only bad thing about the pontoon is that it drifts really easy, but I solved that problem, a little 8 lb anchor is all it takes to hold your position, fins can do the trick as well. I just put my electric motor on it and it is sweet, I can now troll as fast as they do in boats, I think you would be very happy with a pontoon boat.[ ] Here are some pics of me in my toon, the others are my friend in my old tube, notice how much higher you sit out of the water! Either way, you'll have a blast!! I can't wait to get up and try my toon out for some Tiger trout on my fly rod!
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[#505000]Where did you get that RAM mount and how much $$ was it? I have a Sportsmans 9 (AKA Fishcat 9) and have been trying to find the best way to mount the sonar. I have the Fishmark 480 which is identical to the unit you are using except a bit higher resolution.[/#505000]
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Took my S9 out for the first time last Friday. I had a ball, my beagle even rod on it with me.
I can see the need for a motor. What kind did you get? How much was it?
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Cool! my schnauzer always goes with me. You only need a minn kota 30 for your boat, but a marine deep cycle battery is a must.
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I got the mount from Sportsmans Wharehouse in Provo. It cast me 39 bucks I think.
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