installing humminbird 798

[bassfan586]

Has anyone installed a side imaging transducer before?  I read that they should be mounted on the outside for best results but it takes a little experimentation to get it to read right.  I really could use some info here as thats what I'm thinking of purchasing.  Also how big of a pain is it to run the wires thru the boat for the power and the transducer?  I have a 06 ranger z-19.  Thanks for the info.  I'm kinda lost here is this a big job.  I have talked to a few guys who love the side imaging system.

[bassfan586]

What about replacing the bow mount sonar as well.  D I just attach some "line" to one end and pull it thru?

[BigSmallie]

It's pretty easy to install.....especially if you are replacing a unit.    Just tape your new Ducer cord to the old one and pull it to the helm.    Then use the same power wires from your old unit to power the new unit.     

I attached my SI ducer to my JP......this way I didn't have to drill into my hull.   Having it on my JP also keeps it out of the water while running........but in the water when at idle.

You're going to want to purchase the splitter cable and the 2D Ducer to shoot through the hull while on plane.

Good Luck!

BS 

[Joby @ Humminbird]

Has anyone installed a side imaging transducer before?  I read that they should be mounted on the outside for best results but it takes a little experimentation to get it to read right.  I really could use some info here as thats what I'm thinking of purchasing.  Also how big of a pain is it to run the wires thru the boat for the power and the transducer?  I have a 06 ranger z-19.  Thanks for the info.  I'm kinda lost here is this a big job.  I have talked to a few guys who love the side imaging system.

bassfan586,

The only way to mount a side imaging transducer is to mount it on the outside of the boat either on the transom or on the trolling motor. If you are unsure where to mount the transducer you can take a picture of your transom of your boat and email them to our Customer Service Department. They will make a suggestion on where to mount the transducer. There email address is cservice@johnsonoutdoors.com .  

[jgip087]

Mount it on the hull. The trolling motor mount is not worth it in my opinion. If the head turns the transducer does not receive the signal. Side imaging is very, very difficult when on the trolling motor. My friend Jonathon has one on the trolling motor and people who have fished with him say you can't see anything but fuzzy white lines. On the hull it is an awesome unit. Don't put the center screw in to lock it, if that is still an option. My unit broke at that hole 4 times (both with and without screw in it), after researching the internet multiple units have done the same thing.

[jgip087]

What i did with mine now is put it on a small broom handle with wing nuts and I store it when not in use. When I want to use it about 10 seconds and it is up and going. No breaking it this time I did have mine on the trolling motor for a couple of days but had the same problem I described above and when explained how the beam must go out and shoot back like an MRI where they ask you not to move it made a lot of sense why to have it stationary.

This spring has been the 1st time I have really been able to utilize it since I have had it. I have been side imaging entire local lakes I have been on and have already found a few brush piles bluegill fishermen must have put out there.

[bassfan586]

Thanks for the info.  I have a 787c now but its not upgradeable(just found out today ) so I might put that up front.  Good idea with putting it on the Jp.  I heard that the si doesn't work at speed anyway.  Anyone know what a 2d transducer and splitter cable runs.    can't be much.  Thanks for the ideas.  Hate to get the unit only to find out its a pain to do.

[Waterfoul]

I too am about to mount a SI unit on my boat.  So I'll play dumb (not hard for me to do).  What's a JP???  As I understand it you should mount it where it won't read the lower unit or the hull of the boat (for boats with a lot of setback).

[Bender]

What's a JP???

The jackplate. Does you r new boat have one? Sounds like you are getting pretty good speeds already!
Here's one:

hopefully the hotlinked image will work

and another option: http://www.geocities.com/srode5/987installation.html

I think that will be my next major purchase, unfortunately it might be a while.

[SethV]

I mounted it to the bottom of my Bob's jackplate on my Z21.  It needs to be out of the water at speed or you will lose the transducer.  I made a bracket that fits on the bottom of the hole shot plate.  I had to run it all of the way across, because in rough water the hole shot plate flexes as you land.

Where do you live?  I can give you a hand if you are close to Wixom.

[Waterfoul]

Yup, I have a jack plate.  Bummer that I won't have a depth finder while running at speed though... the flasher in the dash seems to work intermittently at best.

I do have a cheap little garmin I could mount on the transom i guess.  At least I'd have a depth finder then.

[bassfan586]

Thats why you(I) would need the 2d transducer and the splitter. 

[BigSmallie]

Thats why you(I) would need the 2d transducer and the splitter. 

Exactly! 

BS 

[Cy]

I added an SI unit last year.  I don't have a jack plate on my boat so I had to mount it to the hull.  I mounted in a spot that it is in the water at low speeds but out of the water and protected while I am on plane.  I then glued a XP-9-20, 2D transducer into the bottom of the hull as a shoot thru and used the AS-Si-DB-Y cable.  With this setup it will automatically switch between two transducers.  I get good 2D at high speeds and the SI at low speeds.  The XP-9-20 is about $40 to $50 and the Y-Cable is about $25.  I bought both cable and trans at D&R in Kalamazoo.  You can also find them online.

Cy

[bassfan586]

Thank you very much for the info cy.

[Waterfoul]

Thank you very much for the info cy.

Yeah!  And when you stop over tomorrow bring all that with you and we'll install it!!

[djkimmel]

I appreciate the offer right from Humminbird to send in a picture of the transom to customer service to get suggestions too. That's pretty nice of them to come on here and offer to help like that. Thanks!

[Waterfoul]

What's a JP???

The jackplate. Does you r new boat have one? Sounds like you are getting pretty good speeds already!
Here's one:

hopefully the hotlinked image will work

and another option: http://www.geocities.com/srode5/987installation.html

I think that will be my next major purchase, unfortunately it might be a while.

I was thinking I would mount it the way the picture in the link is mounted... and the transom above the pad.  This should have it out of the way when on plane.

[Cy]

That's where mine is.

[Waterfoul]

That's where mine is.

Well, I got the ducer cable run... busted about every knuckle doing it too!!  darnit!!

All I have to do put the ducer on the transom and it will be all set.