Mounting a Fish Finder on a Fishing Kayak - Bonafide SS127 Dry Pod

[@luphinus]

Thanks for the vid! I was thinking of changing how I run my fish finder once getting this kayak. Right now it's just a Power Block and transducer arm on a ball mount. I look forward to an updated video once proper waterproofing is done. The Hobie grommet sounds like a good plan, but I can't it working for 3 wires in one hole. What ya need is some sort of mold-able silicone or rubber.... perhaps hotmelt like used in archery, regular low-temp hot glue, or I've had some luck with Shoe Goo for sealing odd shaped holes in things, it sets fast, and is rubbery for about 20sec so it can be fingered into place/shape.

[@rep1989]

Can't wait to see some more videos on the bonafide ss127. I'm a bigger guy and was considering pulling the trigger on a jackson big rig but I been doing a lot of research and reading online about the bonafide kayaks and they look awesome!

[@mikewest712]

Reaper same here man, the extra the jacksons come with are hard to pass up though.

[@nickrizzo96]

Got the 127 stable is an understatement. I 300 and have no issues with even on moving water

[@davisknowlton9223]

i am a big dude - 6'3' , 305 lbs. i have a jackson big tuna and a bonafide ss127. i NEVER use the tuna anymore because the ss127 is such a superior boat. i can't imagine any kayak outdoing the bonafide but obviouly that's just my opinion. i can stand and fish with ease on the ss127 where i could stand to adjust myself on the tuna but that's about it. i never felt comfortable enough standing on the tuna to even think about casting much less landing a fish.

[@BassGeek]

I don't own a kayak but I like the way Bonafide sets up.

[@proteusxavier9477]

Great video Gene. Really like how you did everything on camera! Still waiting for the day we have a display that projects onto the inside of our polarized sunglasses and responds to our thoughts, but until then......I suppose this will do. lol

[@bobcannon5217]

Congrats on 250k subs! Definitely more to come

[@KnappL8]

Thanks for all your videos. This one was extremely helpful. I’m sure it saved me a ton of time.

[@justinhenry5477]

Im assuming if you’re just using down imaging it’s okay if you don’t use the block of wood??

[@basslerp4129]

awesome video, picking up my ss107 next week. Planning to install similar unit. Wanted to know if u could put a quick video of the unit installed on the kayak and how much the transducer protrudes under the kayak would be awesome. Keep up the awesome content man!

[@Flukemaster]

It is 1/4 inch above the bottom of the kayak.

[@basslerp4129]

Flukemaster thank u sir. Have u switched of the wooden spacer off yet or still running strong?

[@adamm4411]

I did what u did but my spacer is 3 inchs but it still doesn't seem like it's going all way pass the hull does it not have to go all way down pass??

[@mburke1211]

Nice video, and timely one for me. I just picked up an Elite 7 w/ TotalScan for my SS127 today, and ordered a Nocqua 10Ah battery. I was hoping you were going to show how to retrofit an existing Lowrance bracket for the transducer. I don't have the woodworking skills nor tools to make that nice spacer you used! The bracket that came with the transducer puts it at about 2" below the hull, and the direct step mount (sold separately - $50) will put me about 1-1/2" above the bottom of the hull. I will have to figure something out, unless you want to sell some of those fancy plastic spacers you're going to make :-) On a side note, I wonder if the fixed position of your spacer will give you a good level transducer. I'm interested in seeing your test run with the new FF installed! Thanks for putting out great content, as always!

[@mburke1211]

For those of you who came because you are looking for a solution to mount the TotalScan transducer to a Bonafide, I thought I'd let you know the direct step mount bracket (part #000-12602-001) won't work - the mounting holes are too wide for the bottom of the dry pod. It looks like Flukemaster's ingenious design is the best way to go. Does anyone have a 3D printer? I'll be first in line to order one.

[@houstonrobinson4801]

You would think they would make a bracket for the drypod by now and like you said, a shorter wire....between the elite FS and HDS live, would you consider them a little overkill for a kayak since they aren't connected to motors. I'm wanting overkill, but trying to decide between the FS and HDS.

[@waynefilmalter8516]

What an awesome video !!! 😃👍🏼 Thanks very much for putting it together. It’s going to be a great help !!

[@dreddy5187]

Hey Gene did you only need the 2" wood spacer because you had side imaging? What would you do if you only had traditional and downvu?

[@ulisesriver4656]

InstaBlaster.

[@calebgodwin3224]

This is solidifying my plans on selling my native titan 13.5 and going to a ss127 with a torqueedo

[@fishingwithharrie]

Checked out your website. Do you ship outside of USA?

[@erikwright5089]

Interesting. I’m really against drilling into my dry box so I made a custom aluminum bracket that works off the foreword hinge. (No holes below or near water line) But I’m having trouble finding a grommet that will allow the transducer wire plug to go through without having a giant grommet. I don’t see where you used them but I was hoping someone would have some inside for me. Thanks

[@duh7048]

Can you just wrap the extra transducer wire into the inside of the lid? That’s what I would want to do if there was the space. It should be unused dead space anyway,right?

[@OldThunderCat]

Very informative video Fluke, thanks sir!

[@423Bass]

Could you leave the wood spacer on? It would not hurt anything by just using the wood correct?

[@pringals]

Just a mod I was waiting for someone to video. Was wondering how the big totalscan transducer would fit on that dry pack. ... My only question, where is your 12v inline fuse? Is that built into the little battery or it's cable?

[@Mustang2001racer]

I have been looking to buy a fish finder for my Hobie PA 14. I was wonder if side imaging is really worth it. I will be doing kayak tournaments in the near future if I can make the dates. Any input would be a huge help.

[@Dealuvsbill]

"Darn it" I'm guessing you tested this allot. I rigged my lowrance total scan very similar but only have an inch spacer. And it's my first total scan unit so I'm not certain what it should look like. Thought it might be low enough to clear the boats gunnels. Guess I need to redo the spacer and make it larger? Oh yeah I have bonafide ss127 same boat same pod. I rigged the rest pretty similar. Darn it!!

[@bahndoor2000]

So on the off chance they make a pedal system that goes in that hole what would be your work around to keep the fish finder working?

[@jackstonebrakerjr768]

Did you cut the plastic end off of the transducer that connects to the metal mount the give you ??

[@chicagoangler]

It’s been a few years. Does anyone make a plastic 2” spacer for the transducer to get deep enough? Or do we still have to use wood? Thanks.

[@dewayneparrish2437]

Is the Bonafide SS127 Dry Pod the same size on the RVR119

[@Flukemaster]

Yes

[@michaelguyer703]

How is the wooden spacer holding up? BTW - Great video and content - There's more than one way to skin a cat, but your stuff is thought provoking and helpful.

[@danielkennedy1914]

Love the shop videos! Good info

[@mattkrause6264]

That transducer cable should be very easy to shorten...

[@reclaimer429fishing]

Hope you remember to cover those + and - connectors ??

[@Flukemaster]

I switched them out to insulated ones. That’s what I was talking about in he video

[@OldThunderCat]

I ended up using a UHMW Plastic tapping block for the transducer, working out pretty well!!

[@crazyazn320]

Awesome video and what a great boat what's the name of it?

[@bobclapper2672]

I’m getting a SS 127 also , I’ve heard some negatives about the seat though , what do you think of the seat ? I’ve got a FF Lure 11.5 now that I’m selling ,it’s got a pretty good seat.

[@Flukemaster]

The seat is awesome. It’s the most comfortable kayak seat that I’ve sat in. The only thing I’ve heard is that it sags and that’s because whoever had it forgot to tighten the straps as the seat was broken in. It’s new material so it will stretch a little at first.

[@jendoerr351]

Is there a company that makes the plastic spacer transducer mount? Thanks

[@Flukemaster]

Not that I know of

[@robs9122]

Do you prefer a pedal driven or paddle kayak? Trying to decide between a bonafide ss127 or a hobie compass

[@Flukemaster]

I prefer paddle kayaks. I’ve watched Hobie owners pack up and go home because their kayak couldn’t go where we were going.

[@xOPER8Rx]

Yo Fluke! What happened with your Mayfly?

[@Shawn_Lai]

Is that a “nondescript” company’s rod holder in the corner?! :D

[@rosscampbell4884]

Love that t shirt

[@duh7048]

Of course I would comment before you get to the part where you show how you will eventually install your batteries lol.

[@bassslayer1186]

What made you switch from Jackson?

[@jisterKIS]

Sponsored lol

[@joshsiock3813]

Y did u ditch jackson?

[@Flukemaster]

They couldn’t fulfill their end of our deal so I left.

[@joshsiock3813]

Flukemaster ..I kinda figured it something along thoes lines...I love their kayaks but the last couple years their customer service is basically non-existent but I just assumed it was for us common Folk

[@lowlifeangler]

I rather velcro it on the bottom when the kayak is in the water

[@CapBassin]

Thanks for the video. Has anyone since made a spacer?

[@xdrevz]

I have a CAD design that I can send you for the design if you would like it. You can contact anyone that has a cnc or 3D printer and they can make it from the design. I had mine made out of a cnc milled block of pvc

[@D1RTM3RCH4NT]

@@xdrevz still got that?

[@xdrevz]

D1RTM3RCH4NT Yupp sure do do you have an email?

[@cwcmind]

@Noctiic is the CAD file on Github or someplace else easily shareable? I'd like to get the spacer made.

[@ontheroadfishing9015]

What series was that HDS

[@Flukemaster]

It’s a Gen3 Carbon

[@ontheroadfishing9015]

Flukemaster I bet you can see grains of sand with that thing

[@OutdoorMishaps]

Now, while your never gonna flip that yak.. I can't afford $1200+ yaks so if i put a fish finder on my yak and roll it... Will it ruin the fish finder?

[@Flukemaster]

Probably not. Most FF are water tight.

[@OutdoorMishaps]

@@Flukemaster that what I wanted to hear!! 😁😁

[@ZhouNiBassin]

Bring me some of those bait you have on the wall next time you come visit 🤣I can find Some use for it instead of hanging it on the peg. Lol.

[@countryboyzd9922]

路亚小学生 JOE I'm saying tho, I was like my GOD

[@hunterfrosch6995]

My dad is an electrician to.

[@Mbtharp1]

Milwaukee is the only way!

[@revbigjohnsbackyardfishn31]

Just subbed, new to the game so check me out. Informative cause I’m thinking about this Bonafide and the set up. I’m 6-4

[@stevenfuller3657]

Someone send Gene a clamp...

[@ashleyhedrick7882]

Second comment😱😱😱

[@andyraymond3891]

@flukemaster Can you show a picture of the bottom of the kayak with the kayak installed? I'm looking to modify the mount on my dry pod for my RVR119 to get the GT56 low enough for good side can imaging, but I'm not sure how low I need to get the transducer. Going by your 2 1/16" suggestion, Most of the transducer is still up in that scupper and i think a lot of the signal will be blocked.

[@badneed]

Thank you. I just bought a RVR119 with a ton of confidence after watching your video. Did you figure out a plastic spacer? I am thinking cutting boards glued together

[@dreddy5187]

Dude Gene you should add the links to the stuff you used in your videos like the ram ball mounts, the lowerance, and when you do fishing ones the lures and stuff like tactical bassin. That'd be highly appreciated! Anyways awesome video!

[@the304experience6]

Does the side scan function properly just paddling?

[@donnyglass2854]

Just curious what how did you end up making a plastic spacer to replace the wooden one? Will be doing this in a couple weeks and just curious.

[@lowlifeangler]

Probably a 3D printer

[@donnyglass2854]

@@lowlifeangler ended up getting starboard cut and screwed through that

[@FLNative82]

I want to see a video about that wall of plastics behind you?

[@3brosthatsk8]

Video on how this is dropped into the kayak plz

[@ferchofishing]

When i buy my first kayak is going to be the Bonafide ss107 because I'm short 👍

[@Flukemaster]

The cockpit is the same size on both boats and can accommodate anyone.

[@xlnxbenji7028]

Can you show us how to read them

[@DoubleTFishing]

Great video, just bought a SS127 today!!!

[@onabudgetoutdoors8993]

Awesome video, I have the 3 in 1 as well, but how did you do your starboard to get the 2” spacer needed? Did you glue two 1” pieces together, because that is the thickest I can find. I just don’t want to use wood for a long period of time.

[@taxstampinsurrectionist]

I just did the same install of a Lowrance Elite 7ti on a feelfree sonar box. The nice thing about the feelfree sonar box is that using the TotalScan mount was the correct dimension for mounting by rotating it up 90 degrees from the “transom” position, and mounting on the bottom of the box. I guess now I’ll have to put u a video of what I did for the feelfree guys. Where do I find the information about how many amps my Elite 7ti will draw?? I picked up a 12 amp lead acid, but WOW IS IT HEAVY!!! Was that bat you had a Lithium Ion, or Lithium Polymer? Thanks for the video Gene!!!

[@acnjshink]

Gene, Great walk-through I've been thinking about up grading to a #SideImaging unit but those transducers are #Huge and being able to mount one that is easy removable from the #SeaEagle385FTA is going to take a little more engineering when it comes to a quick disconnect mounting solution.

[@Harper2014Crain]

Wayyyy too much work when u can just buy a transducer arm and gear track mount tbat will slide into your gear track rails( which is what I have done in my ss107) plus I have the added ability to completely raise and lower my transducer length or take it completely out of the water if I’m going through real shallow water.

[@scottmoore3971]

I'm looking to do a side vu/sidescan on my sonar pod also...doesn't xducer still have to be below bottom of hull to get the sidescan ,so how are u preventing scraping of your xducer if it has to be below hull bottom?? TIA Gene.

[@charliewalkerfishing8503]

It would have been nice if you put it in the kayak and flipped the yak over to show how it looked on the bottom after it was installed. Silicon the hole that the cables go through although you mentioned a gromet.

[@noahbeu1515]

Do you have a video about picking what fish finder to look at getting for a kayak? Just a finder or one with side or down imaging or one with a GPS ect.

[@markhenderson893]

so informative, thank you so much for this how to. You do such a great job of explaining it man!!!

[@marvveenstra1707]

Did you end up sticking with the smaller batteries? I'm getting ready to do my install and find myself flip flopping on whether or not to run power straight to the box from a larger battery .

[@Flukemaster]

I use the 10Ah Dakota Lithium batteries as a backup and run the main power from a 30Ah battery. The 10Ah will last about 7 hours with my big fish finder.

[@todhollandsworth4371]

Hey fluke why don't u use a older lowrance side imaging boat transducer bracket it'll give u the space u need two bolts on the bottom

[@Dealuvsbill]

tod hollandsworth that's basically what I did and its only about an inch space. Hey is saying you need minimum 2 inch. Im going to try his way and see if I can see that much more?

[@mikemcgeehan4321]

Excellent Job! Very helpful for a new kayak fisherman. Thanks.

[@Flukemaster]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mstewart3230]

hey gene what size lowrance unit is that the 9" or 12"?

[@Flukemaster]

It’s the 9”

[@mstewart3230]

thanks buddy just trying figure out how big I should go and if you had any pointers for putting a total scan on a coosa HD

[@sparkynate91]

I'm a 01electrician myself. Just got my journeyman card a year ago. Now working towards my electrical engineering degree

[@danmcgowan5801]

while this is something that has to be done, after 30 plus years as a marine electrician ,this is the most unbelievably sloppy mess i have seen. sorry but it's true

[@jeffersonstatecrash]

I've seen worse, but the fish don't care how pretty it is. That said, putting a LiPo battery in a box that will leak like a sieve and dropping it into the water doesn't seem like the best design plan.