Installing a 7" LOWRANCE Elite TI2 Chart Plotter/Fishfinder GPS on a 2020 Yamaha FX WaveRunner

[@waltmuska8129]

You have a natural talent for presenting this information.

[@BobBroeking]

Not my most exciting video but it may help some, thanks!

[@marcaveli2012]

Great videos BTW. Inspiring me to get out there more.

[@BobBroeking]

Glad to hear it! Ge out there! if you live i Florida you can redo any of my rides; maps in the video and boat ramp info in the written description! Thanks for watching....I have hundreds of videos you can kill a rainy day with... ha

[@marcaveli2012]

Yup, moved to Spring Hill, FL last year. Dunedin has been our main go to spot. Discovered Hernando Flats a couple weeks ago, 15 minutes way which was nice. Then Anclote River Boat ramp yesterday. Cold and choppy. Wish we woulda did it while the weather was warmer. Hope to bump into you out there somewhere.

[@uasflightservicesllc3552]

I’m using some of Lorins mounts for my Garmin and GoPro still able to use my 2 speakers he does awesome work. Thanks for showing the Lowrance I like the 7 inch screen

[@BobBroeking]

His work is fantastic….. love #boondockspwc

[@samelgore7575]

Wonderful video Bob. The current FX Waverunners have USB and 12V outlets in the glove box, would that change how you would power the GPS? Also the hull has been strengthened using fiberglass, would that still allow the transducer to work inside the boat? thanks again for all your work Bob..

[@BobBroeking]

Thanks for the feedback.... I might run it to the power cord now that is in the glove compartment if it is an always on hot lead; otherwise I would still run back to the battery. I think the transducer will shoot through any hull on the newer ones but I do not know for sure.... my bet is absolutely no problem. I find it hard to believe something I hooked up still works into the third year every time I ride it...but it does! :-) Thanks for watching! Bob

[@marcaveli2012]

Mr Bob! Not sure if anyone asked about this yet but. The location of your transducer seems to be installed over your ride plate, your getting a good reading or did you move it from shown on the install video? I have a Garmin Striker plus 4 and not getting a reading of depth. I’m assuming it’s due to the ride plate, gonna move it and retest this weekend.

[@BobBroeking]

Its the silliest install ever but it has just worked perfect since the day I put it in; always give me accurate depth readings from 100+ feet to --- which means I am in less than 12" of water...the locaiton of the transducer either by accident or good luck allows it work perfectly. Thanks for watching and commenting! Bob

[@samelgore7575]

One more question Bob, once the rack is in place, do we still have a cup holder, or do we need to order a cupholder to fit on one of the 1" balls? P.S. one day I'll come and ride with you in FL, meanwhile if you are ever in Utah or AZ please look me up, great skiing places over here.

[@BobBroeking]

You never know I used to live in both AZ and CO and May return to CO…. See @loren at Boondockspwc for the mount. The first design in this video I lost the cup holder but he subsequently modified it for me so I now have the cup holder on the right side… boondockspwc is worth every penny…. Have you seen: The mounting video? Bob

[@BobBroeking]

Bob's Review and Install of BOONDOCKSPWC Accessory Mounting System on a 2020 Yamaha FX Waverunner kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZTHhaePl6eibrM

[@LorenP]

Hi Sam, you will NOT need to order a bottle holder. Your 23 FX crossbar mount is an updated version of what Bob is using currently. You will have a bottle holder, (2) 1" RAM ball bases for cameras and (1) 1-1/2" RAM ball base for your 7" GPS. RAM can be adapted to almost any brand. Bob is using an Elite Ti2 7". The updated version of his GPS is a Lowrance 7 Inch FS. Garmin, Simrad, and others will be very easy to adapt the 1-1/2" ball base.

[@jcoop363]

Great video and very informative. I've been exploring options to mount a Garmin 79sc and do not plan on mounting any other equipment. I've communicated with Lorin, and he suggested sticking with Yamaha mounts for my 23 FX HO since I'm only looking to use one of the cupholders. Now I'm just considering installing the Yamaha GPS card from Enovations - did you ever consider using the GPS card? Thanks.

[@BobBroeking]

Glad you found the video useful. I had not heard of Enovations before you mentioned it; you know from the video I wanted to use Navionics mapset for my Lowrance all US and Canada. I looked up Enovations and saw they offer the US and Canada mapset for $199 so it it offers similar detail to navionics that would be a good price. Let me know if you you do end up going with them and the results! I also feel my depth finder data is as important as my maps. Is there any examples of the details those maps show? Bob

[@LorenP]

@@BobBroeking I have not heard great things about the Yamaha (Enovations) maps. Its a proprietary plug-in USB card. The maps and firmware cannot be updated over the Internet like a stand alone unit, because there is no means of updating the maps (no microSD card slot and no wireless commo). Also many people have told me the navigation screen is locked whenever the Waverunner is being used. You have to completely stop what you are doing to unlock and use and navigate the touchscreen menus. @jaycoop363 -> For the 22/23 FX (and likely the 2024) I am only selling the crossbar mount, because of its strength and other design features. It adds anti-rotation to the GPS mounting parts by being attached across both dash holes. The unilateral Yamaha parts only have a single screw hole connection in the bottom cup and can potentially rotate if only one cup is used for a big GPS head. Yamaha does sell a stand-alone "big screen" kit for the new dash. It includes all of the necessary GPS mounting parts, but I think its only a 6" Garmin keyed face display (no touchscreen). It attaches in just one dash hole. Many people are looking for camera mounts, too. The Yamaha design doesn't allow a simple strong attachment point for cameras. I am able to adapt any brand GPS / sonar head to the FX dash and any size screen from 4" to 9". A 10" screen would likely work well on my parts, but the price of that GPS in the USA is more than what most want to spend. The crossbar has two camera mounting points built in. The crossbar also has a built-in water bottle holder that will accommodate a standard 16-20 ounce water bottle. Its been working well for the people that have them. Bob, I got you covered if you ever want to move those existing parts to a new FX. I just spent an hour with my oldest daughter last night watching videos from your channel with her. It was nice to sit down and spend time with her =0)

[@davidgreene6363]

Thanks for sharing. I added a GPS to my 21 VX HO and it worked out great!

[@BobBroeking]

Nice work! Where and how did you mount it? Bob

[@davidgreene6363]

I used a large ball mount on the dash with a short extension. The transducer is in duct seal like you demonstrated. I have the same ski as Walt.

[@BobBroeking]

@@davidgreene6363 Congratulations; having a depth finder is a game changer... I was out on the St johns River today and my partner thought she was in 20' of water until I told her ... no, about 1.7' feet! Good to know!

[@davidgreene6363]

The lakes in middle TN are full of shallows and stumps. I feel much better knowing the depth.

[@LorenP]

@@davidgreene6363 would you mind sharing a few pictures showing your GPS at the dash, and also the duct seal please? My email is [e-mail]. I am doing some work on a 21 VX like yours and Walt's and would be interested in seeing what worked for you. TIA =0)

[@bodiejones4844]

Because you put the transducer inside the hull I’m sure you can register depth at speed. How fast can you go before it loses depth on the screen??

[@BobBroeking]

To this day it has never malfunctioned... depth at any speed, fastest or slow... I always stand amazed it has not had any issues... My top speed is about 58 and yesterday it measured I was 8.1' of water the whole time at speed. Bob

[@bodiejones4844]

@@BobBroeking that’s great!! I had it off the back of the boat on my old FX and because of the water turbulence it would drop out at about 7mph. I’m rigging up this new one inside like yours! Thx Bob!!

[@BobBroeking]

@@bodiejones4844 it is silly but it works! Hahahahahaha

[@bodiejones4844]

@@BobBroeking it’s ingenious!! Not silly at all!! Figured out a way to have it work at speed!! It’s awesome man!! Thx for the info!! 😎👍

[@PaulSpeedWITMinistries]

Love your channel. My wife and I have seen all your videos. We just got our first wave runner, a 2023 FX HO. It’s been a couple of years since you did the video on the Lowrance GPS and depth finder. If you were doing it again today, would you do the same thing? So far we’ve been able to navigate everywhere we go, but we know we need to invest in one for longer and greater adventures.

[@BobBroeking]

That is an excellent question.... YES... I would do EVERYTHING THE SAME... I believe the 7" Lowrance Chartplotter is the perfect tool for me. I understand that model is no longer available but it has been replaced with a similar upgraded model. The navionics map set is the most important to me; it gives me coastal waters off Florida and all lakes and river in he US and Canada! I have the same map set on my iphone as a back up using the Navionics App. Would I put the transducer in duct seal INSIDE the waverunner next time? YES, hahahahhahahahha... I had my doubts but it has NEVER failed me, came loose, or given me a bad reading... silly but true it just works. Mounting a transducer on the outside in the water definitely works too but I am not going to mess with the simplest solution. I must have done the wiring right (had some motorcycling wiring exp) as it has never come loose or failed. I use that chartplotter on every ride to know the depth of water under the ski and where I am... its good to know you are in 18" of water when you cannot see the bottom. I might do something different in the future but I'll redo thi install on my next ski if its possible; too easy and rock solid results. hope that helps.... besides the ski it is the single most important tool I use. Also boonnnndockspwc is t only mounting system I'll ever use. Over engineered, quality built, it will outlast my ski! :-) Oh and thanks for watching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bob

[@PaulSpeedWITMinistries]

@@BobBroeking thank you so much for your honest assessment. I think we’re going to copy what you’ve done if it’s possible on our ski. Apparently our cupholders and so forth are different so Loren will hopefully come up with a different set up for us. One other thing you did early on was gator glide. I think that’s what you called it. We have gotten quite a bit of scratching underneath our ski. Is that something you would still highly recommend and can you give me the name of the guy who did it for you? We are in the Tampa/Wesley Chapel area, so not too far down the road from where you are.

[@BobBroeking]

Actually I just did the gator glide in the Spring of 22. Before that I had had the whole bottom repainted in 20 after I hit a rock. I think and I also just got tired of the tiny scratches on the hull from briefly stopping on a sand bar with no wave action even. And with the adventure type skiing I do I thought anything to strengthen the terrible designed nano hull would be worth it. I plan on doing a 1 year assessment of that application in a few months and do it with Sarah and Danny and Tracy as we all had it done at the same time. You have a fiberglass hull -- much better so if the scratches are purely cosmetic I am not sure I would worry. With gator glide you get "rubs" not scratches. I do feel very comfortable now letting it st in the water on the sand beach now as I refuel, etc and not worry about scratches like I did this week at Matanzas inlet. We will address the gator glide thingie in about 3 months this spring and give you our honest assessment. Bob

[@PaulSpeedWITMinistries]

@@BobBroeking I look forward to watching your assessments on how it has held up on your skis. Hopefully, once we can get the mounts made, and the GPS up and going, we will venture off on some of the rivers like you do. At this point, we go out to the barrier islands of Tarpon Springs, and really have a good time chasing dolphins and walking the beaches looking for shells. Have you done the Manatee River yet south of Tampa?

[@BobBroeking]

@@PaulSpeedWITMinistries you live in a great area. I have not done the manatee river and would stay off the little manatee river based on my buddy sinking his Seadoo there on a log. HahahHA

[@anthonycamacho6475]

Thx for the project

[@BobBroeking]

Your welcome... I really needed to know the actual depth of the water under my ski and it was relatively easy to complete the project.

[@garysmith9918]

Hey Bob....enjoy the cruising adventures......my wife & I finally got our (2) skis & are getting use to them.....lots of fun ...will be added Garmin on my Fx Ho & was looking at all the mounts available...looked at the one you used....nice stuff...can you give a ball park $ on your set up(?).....I didn't see any prices on site.....keep them coming :-)

[@BobBroeking]

I can not specifically recall the finished price... (around $100+)... reach out to Loren through his website and he will give you an accurate estimate of the parts you need! boondockspwc.com or through FB... he is a friend now and a great guy to do business with.... his craftsmanship in amazing.... you will see me give him a shout out in an upcoming video when my chart plotter was rock solid on crazy water while a friend almost lost his... I am assuming you saw this video as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZTHhaePl6eibrM

[@garysmith9918]

@@BobBroeking Thanks Bob.....will touch base with him....I'm going to try the same with my transducer in the bottom of the FX.....just interested in depth(S. Fla.).... :-)

[@mattbavfc]

Hi Bob I need to install something similar after running aground on a sandbank at 40mph my landing wasn't the most comfortable, but I'm curious how accurate is the depth dinner at speed and upto how fast is it reliable, thanks again for your posts Matt in not so warm Ireland

[@BobBroeking]

It is very accurate and has never failed. It is accurate floating dead in the water or at top speed (60 mph) and everywhere in between. When it goes under 1’ it reads -- and you know you had less than 12”. You will see in the current video we knew it was 1.9’ in depth. Bob

[@mattbavfc]

@@BobBroeking thank you for all your help, just need to decide on which unit to go with now 👍🏼

[@Jetski_ter]

Awesome video. Im also in the market for a gps on my 2023 FX and Was curious as to the screen. When water hits it does it accidentally start pressing buttons? Also does that map cover bahamas? How is the unit holding up thus far?

[@BobBroeking]

@@Jetski_ter thank you for watching and commenting. Water hitting the screen has no effect…you can see in my other videos I take waves over the cockpit and it does not affect the chartplotter… the mapset includes the offshore area of the United States and Canada and does include Bimini… the unit has not failed me once in constant use in 4 years. Hope this helps, Bob

[@Jetski_ter]

@BobBroeking appreciate the feed back thanks again.

[@boondocksPWC]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@BobBroeking]

Your products are too good not to mention them; exactly what I needed for my WaveRunner

[@officialpurpose7791]

Good morning sir. This is Nel. Hope you remember! Found your Channel & subscribed it. Waiting for your unboxing video. Regards.

[@BobBroeking]

Glad you found me again!

[@75JKB]

Hi Bob what a great video! Yell if you want to install mine!

[@BobBroeking]

It is very easy! You can do it !

[@المهديخاتلبالمجاري]

Good job. I am in port richey and looking to buy Vx ho

[@BobBroeking]

Good choice! I am sure you have seen my videos with Walt's 21 VX in it! kzbin.info/aero/PL8VYlIGPd2ORjKIyqyE8uXW-R5jLy7evi

[@Seadoo-Scotty]

Nice setup Bob. I wish mine was touchscreen. It would make adjustments quicker. Does the Lowrance draw a line where you rode so you can follow it back to the ramp?

[@BobBroeking]

Yes Scott it leave a trail (track) so you can follow it back and save and export. You cam also upload and download routes you make in Navionics at home before the trip. The mapset is exactly what I had in the iPhone app. very detailed. They can be viewed here: webapp.navionics.com

[@ssrcobra7]

Hi Bob, thanks for a great video. I have one question, is the Transducer you used the one comes with the Ti2 (HDI transducer) or did I hear you say that you switched it out with something else.

[@BobBroeking]

Yes Tom it is the HDI transducer that comes with the Lowrance with US/Can mapset. I almost did not video how I installed it as obviously it is designed to ride in the water and if you were using it as a fish finder mainly it would not be the ideal solution. I wanted it mainly for depth and viewing the bottom via sonar and it works just fine inside the hull. The only reason I tired it like that is a friend had done it on his Seadoo and it worked great and I had heard others have also done it. The link to the one I bought is here: www.lowrance.com/lowrance/type/fishfinders-chartplotters/elite-7-ti2-uscan-nav-hdi If you are a fisherman and need the entire capability Lowrance does make a transducer specifically designed for "in hull". It can be found here: www.lowrance.com/lowrance/type/sonar-transducers/xsonic-airmar-p79/ At some point if I got into fishing off the ski I might buy that one as it is also an easy install but the HDI one meets my current needs! Hope this helps, Bob

[@ssrcobra7]

@@BobBroeking Hi Bob, I got my transducer working just a you showed, thanks so much. I have another question more about the GPS side of the unit. Do I need a Novinonics Map card for better charts? Is so which one I am in Southwest Florida? I see two Novinonics + or Platinum +

[@BobBroeking]

@@ssrcobra7 Is it not crazy that the transcom mounted transducer works inside the hull. I was in the St Augustine Inlet Tuesday am and it recorded 53 feet deep there so I was impressed. As for the mapset, I do not know what head unit you got but if you got the one with US/CAN navionics maps like mine they should be very detailed. If you have this same mapset that I bought have you registered it with Navionics and put it in your chartplotter? The card needs to in the chartplotter or the maps that appear will be very rudimentary.

[@LorenP]

@@ssrcobra7 You may have seen this already. If not then there is a side by side comparison of their products. You can click on the yellow map to select an area. Also note there is a choice of "regions" and "large". www.navionics.com/usa/charts?format=Regions&charts=NavionicsPlus

[@scotttaylor120]

Thanks. I'm jealous.

[@BobBroeking]

You NEED one...Ill help install it with you!

[@ABATEDIRT]

Which transducer did you use?

[@BobBroeking]

See this reply to another viewer who asked this question. Let me know if it answers your question. "it is the HDI transducer that comes with the Lowrance with US/Can mapset. I almost did not do a video how I installed it as obviously it is designed to ride in the water and if you were using it as a fish finder mainly it would not be the ideal solution. I wanted it mainly for depth and viewing the bottom via sonar and it works just fine inside the hull. The only reason I tired it like that is a friend had done it on his Seadoo and it worked great and I had heard others have also done it. The link to the one I bought is here: www.lowrance.com/lowrance/type/fishfinders-chartplotters/elite-7-ti2-uscan-nav-hdi If you are a fisherman and need the entire capability Lowrance does make a transducer specifically designed for "in hull". It can be found here: www.lowrance.com/lowrance/type/sonar-transducers/xsonic-airmar-p79/ At some point if I got into fishing off the ski I might buy that one as it is also an easy install but the HDI one meets my current needs! Hope this helps, Bob

[@TeagueCreek]

The lighting is very poor in this video…

[@BobBroeking]

Yes I apologize for that... I did this one early when my video processing skills were not as honed as they are now and shot it indoors in my garage. I did go back and watch the segment again and you can see everything on a normal computer screen that I saw in the available light. I will try to do better next time when shooting indoors. Bob

[@LorenP]

@Ed B. Please record, edit, and share a link to your KZbin installation video with better lighting. Thanks!

[@LorenP]

@@BobBroeking it looks fine Bob. I wear progressive lenses and can see the video details without difficulty.