I just bought my first kickboat and now im lookingto get a fish/depth finder. I want it to be a decent one but same as this is my first boat, this will be my first finder. So I dont know much about them. I just got a water skeeter. What is the easiest way to mount it to? What Im looking for in price should beabout $80-$100. I have been looking around but just dont know what is a decent one to put on a kickboat. Smaller is better right? Please help me out. Im tired of fishing areas that im not even sure if fish are there!!!!!

Deacon

I would say get the best one you can afford.( i have a lowrancex51) You want the most pixels you can get.As far as mounting goes I just use 2 zip ties to hold it to the frame(o.e. vv) and attached the transducer to a piece of pvc behind the seat.There are alot of threads in the archives on this subject as well,be sure to check them out for ideas.Good luck and happy fishing:7
Swampy

Look towards the bottom of this thread...

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=6&topic_id=21303&mesg_id=21303&page=

That's not my boat, but thats how I have mine done also. It's nice because you can take it on and off.

does the lowrancex51 need a motocycle/car battery? besides the fishin' buddy, any other decent fish finder that operates out of small batteries?

________________

Sonny

2004 - 6 Bass 2 Trout $219.20 in Gear

I have my Lowrance X67c mounted using the following items. It allows me to remove the screen without any tools for transportation. I used item 'B' in both pics.

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/2510.jpg


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/2511.jpg

Sonny, I used to use an Eagle Fish Easy 2 portable. It ran on 8 'D' batteries. It comes with a large awkward case, but I just removed the wires and the battery holder. I crimped quick connects to the wires and just put it in a storage bag on my tube.


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/2512.jpg


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/2513.jpg

The last pic is the battery pack. It's wrapped in pipe insulation.

I can take some pics tonight of how my Lowrance is mounted on my V.V. if you want. Let me know.

Attachment #1, (.jpg file)
Attachment #2, (.jpg file)
Attachment #3, (.jpg file)
Attachment #4, (.jpg file)

Here's a battery you can use...

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jhtml?id=0023384&navAction=jump&navCount=1&indexId=&parentId=&parentType=&rid=&link=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fpod-link.jhtml.1_A&_DAV=search

I just wanted to add a couple of things. Deacon, it doesn't matter if you spend $2500 on a unit. You might not ever know that there are fish in the area! I use my depth finder for exactly that. Depth and contour. It lets me know how deep the water is which will help determine my presentation. It also shows me underwater structure, which is one the most helpfull things of all!

Sonny, the Lowrance does run on a mototcycle battery. But some of those batteries are so small now. I have a full size trolling battery and I have a small battery for my graph. I bought it on E-Bay. It weight 7 lbs and approximate measurements are 7"L x 5"H x 4"D. The reason I chose this battery is it is totally sealed. Not like the 'sealed' batteries at Wal-Mart. It's guaranteed to not leak. There are no openings on it anywhere and it can be mounted in any position except upside down. But I did leave it upside down for about an hour once to see what would happen. Nothing! That way I have no fear of getting acid on anything I fish with. Especially my boat! I also keep my trolling battery inside a battery box on my boat to avoid any leakage.

That is the same battery I have used for a couple years.It worls great and is rechargable.I run my livewell and fishfinder off the same one.never had a problem.:7
Swampy

How long does a charge last?
Tight lines,
Wade

>How long does a charge last?

It depends on how hungry your electronics are and how often you use them. Most depth finders don't draw too much current. I have used my 7.0AH battery for an entire 3 day weekend, on 1 charge, when using a depth finder only.
If you are using a bilge pump for recirculating water in your livewell then you should be aware of the current draw of your pump. A 500GPH uses less juice than a 750GPH pump etc.. I am currently using a Hummingbird Phiranah 5 depthfinder and an Attwood 750GPH bilge pump. If I use my depthfinder and I'm recirculating 3 times an hour for 5 to 8 minutes at a time my battery usually could use a charge after 1 full day. I also have a 12.0AH battery which lasts an entire 2 day tournament weekend no problem.
I think a 7.0AH battery is enough for most peoples needs and won't weigh you down too much.
MT

Is it really worth the money to buy a fish finder? Ive heard how it doesnt do anything, and i dont know if i should get one. So, are they worth it?

Thanks,

Jdub