Need help with Dragonfly transducer mounting? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

slobound · 02-22-2015, 04:28 PM

Hi guys, like a lot of you... I'm waiting for the Dragonfly 4 to be released. Been searching on line to figure out how I want to mount to my Prowler 13. Since the 'ducer is almost 9" long, I don't think it will fit cleanly in the molded scupper mount area.

Other than the ram arm/pvc over the side mount, anyone have any other good ideas on how to mount this thing? Thanks in advance!

619-SWIM-DOG · 02-22-2015, 04:47 PM

I have the dragonfly 7 for my outback. I went to the .99 cent shop and found some Tupperware that fit it. I then glued it to the inside just under my seat. I pore fresh water in it and set the transducer inside. Simple and easy.

cell128 · 02-22-2015, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 619-SWIM-DOG

I have the dragonfly 7 for my outback. I went to the .99 cent shop and found some Tupperware that fit it. I then glued it to the inside just under my seat. I pore fresh water in it and set the transducer inside. Simple and easy.

Do you still get a clear picture in the downscan mode? I read somewhere that it has to be in the water to get a good chirp reading. I made a PVC arm.and mounted it to a Scotty flush mount. Very sturdy and really don't notice any drag.

619-SWIM-DOG · 02-22-2015, 04:54 PM

I have had no issues. It does sit in water just a bit of plastic in the way. It's way easier to set up and have on the yak.

cell128 · 02-22-2015, 05:05 PM

Cool ima try it out next time. On the plastic container do you also cut out the bottom so there will be no air gap between it and the hull? I've never done wet mount.

619-SWIM-DOG · 02-22-2015, 05:12 PM

Yup I had to take a razor blade and trim out the bottom so it mounted flush to the yak.

Jkfish136 · 02-22-2015, 05:22 PM

I have the same set up with the Tupperware but I mount the transducer on the lid so o can close the Tupperware so water doesn't splash out.

ful-rac · 02-22-2015, 05:41 PM

It seems like we are going back in time...wet mounts, transducer arms, tupperware....

619-SWIM-DOG · 02-22-2015, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

It seems like we are going back in time...wet mounts, transducer arms, tupperware....

Have to work with what you got, Not all of us have a PA with the T mount set in the body.

Silbaugh4liberty · 02-22-2015, 06:42 PM

I hope mine fits in the Lowrance ready scupper. It'll just have to be fit fairly flush so it doesn't catch on anything. I'm just gonna take it to Andy and let the expert figure it out.

Oxbeast1210 · 02-22-2015, 06:56 PM

My dragonfly 7 fit in the lowrance ready just had to cut off the part the holds the lowrance transducer.

alanw · 02-22-2015, 07:07 PM

I've got one mounted to an X-Factor and it's not flush with the bottom of the yak. It's ok if the transducer hangs down a little bit, just make a little fairing or something for it so it won't catch any kelp along the way. I've paddled through miles of kelp and never had anything catch on the transducer. Much better than a through-hull mount for sure.

radastaff · 02-22-2015, 10:46 PM

I have mine on the ram mount over the side
gives a good reading
cept recently
it has been loosing bottom
bouncing off bait or kelp

this in auto mode

works ok if I define settings regarding depths

might have to bring it back to west marine

its the dragonfly 6

when I first got it
I tried to make a close cell foam donut and glued it to the inside bottom of my yak
leaked after two trys
might have been bad foam
should have tried the Tupperware method

its what we fish on
nothing wrong with going back in time
some things were better

P

alanw · 02-23-2015, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radastaff

I have mine on the ram mount over the side
gives a good reading
cept recently
it has been loosing bottom
bouncing off bait or kelp

this in auto mode

works ok if I define settings regarding depths

might have to bring it back to west marine

its the dragonfly 6

Mine does this every now and then too, thick bait or kelp will show as a false bottom sometimes on auto mode. I don't think it's an issue WM can fix with a new unit.

slobound · 02-23-2015, 08:11 AM

All good info and reviews. I may have to play around with the 'ducer to see if I can possibly make it work in the scupper mount with a little finagling.

FISH11 · 02-23-2015, 08:15 AM

I have used the Dragonfly 4.7 on a self contained assembly with over the side ram transducer mount. It has had the same problems when used on auto as well as once in a while catching some floating kelp. The thing is I have used it at the same time as the Lowrance Elite 4 that I have with a transducer mounted at the bottom of a rear scupper hole. What I found is that the Lowrance was more consistent in the readings and has better manual adjustment. I just bought the Lowrance Elite 5 HDS and got it mounted. The transducer is a bit larger and sticks out a little more but not a problem unless I went bottoming out on rocks or boulders (not something I plan on doing). Can't wait for this rain and wind to stop so I can go to L J and try it out. Hopefully tomorrow Tuesday, this unit has a crazy amount of even more setting adjustments and display options.

Iceman · 03-24-2015, 04:04 PM

Just mounted a Dragonfly trans on an X Factor, used an extra Lowrance bracket I had. Now they changed the base on the 4, too big and it does not fit on the basic RAM round base..............anyone know if RAM has come out with a mount yet, nothing but the original Dragonfly on their site???

slobound · 03-24-2015, 04:57 PM

^^^that looks pretty clean if you ask me!

Silbaugh4liberty · 03-24-2015, 05:16 PM

The head unit doesn't fit on the ram ball? Thanks for the heads up Andy.

Think I might call them tomorrow and see what I can find out.

Glad to know the transducer fits.

Looks like Joe's kayak!!

radastaff · 03-24-2015, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanw

Mine does this every now and then too, thick bait or kelp will show as a false bottom sometimes on auto mode. I don't think it's an issue WM can fix with a new unit.

it got to the point where anything would cause it to loose bottom
when in auto

making auto pretty much useless unless its a desert under me
pretty sure that's not how auto should work

when I define a bottom in settings
its ok and works normal

when I first got it
auto worked correctly
and after a few trips started to get worse

....

I hated the stock base and ram mount setup
so fabricated an alum backplate with spacer standoffs
and mounted a stock ram to that
works great

02-22-2015, 04:28 PM	#1
slobound Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 60	Need help with Dragonfly transducer mounting? Hi guys, like a lot of you... I'm waiting for the Dragonfly 4 to be released. Been searching on line to figure out how I want to mount to my Prowler 13. Since the 'ducer is almost 9" long, I don't think it will fit cleanly in the molded scupper mount area. Other than the ram arm/pvc over the side mount, anyone have any other good ideas on how to mount this thing? Thanks in advance!

02-22-2015, 05:41 PM	#8
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	It seems like we are going back in time...wet mounts, transducer arms, tupperware.... __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

02-22-2015, 06:42 PM	#10
Silbaugh4liberty Fishing Patriot Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 1,121	I hope mine fits in the Lowrance ready scupper. It'll just have to be fit fairly flush so it doesn't catch on anything. I'm just gonna take it to Andy and let the expert figure it out. __________________

02-22-2015, 07:07 PM	#12
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	I've got one mounted to an X-Factor and it's not flush with the bottom of the yak. It's ok if the transducer hangs down a little bit, just make a little fairing or something for it so it won't catch any kelp along the way. I've paddled through miles of kelp and never had anything catch on the transducer. Much better than a through-hull mount for sure. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

02-22-2015, 10:46 PM	#13
radastaff Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 314	I have mine on the ram mount over the side gives a good reading cept recently it has been loosing bottom bouncing off bait or kelp this in auto mode works ok if I define settings regarding depths might have to bring it back to west marine its the dragonfly 6 when I first got it I tried to make a close cell foam donut and glued it to the inside bottom of my yak leaked after two trys might have been bad foam should have tried the Tupperware method its what we fish on nothing wrong with going back in time some things were better P Last edited by radastaff; 02-22-2015 at 10:55 PM.

02-22-2015, 04:54 PM	#4
619-SWIM-DOG Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 619	I have had no issues. It does sit in water just a bit of plastic in the way. It's way easier to set up and have on the yak.

02-22-2015, 05:05 PM	#5
cell128 lizard king Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lakewood Posts: 520	Cool ima try it out next time. On the plastic container do you also cut out the bottom so there will be no air gap between it and the hull? I've never done wet mount.

02-22-2015, 05:12 PM	#6
619-SWIM-DOG Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 619	Yup I had to take a razor blade and trim out the bottom so it mounted flush to the yak.

02-22-2015, 05:22 PM	#7
Jkfish136 Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 48	I have the same set up with the Tupperware but I mount the transducer on the lid so o can close the Tupperware so water doesn't splash out.

02-22-2015, 06:56 PM	#11
Oxbeast1210 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 421	My dragonfly 7 fit in the lowrance ready just had to cut off the part the holds the lowrance transducer.

02-23-2015, 08:11 AM	#15
slobound Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 60	All good info and reviews. I may have to play around with the 'ducer to see if I can possibly make it work in the scupper mount with a little finagling.

02-23-2015, 08:15 AM	#16
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,629	Transducer mounting and Dragonfly I have used the Dragonfly 4.7 on a self contained assembly with over the side ram transducer mount. It has had the same problems when used on auto as well as once in a while catching some floating kelp. The thing is I have used it at the same time as the Lowrance Elite 4 that I have with a transducer mounted at the bottom of a rear scupper hole. What I found is that the Lowrance was more consistent in the readings and has better manual adjustment. I just bought the Lowrance Elite 5 HDS and got it mounted. The transducer is a bit larger and sticks out a little more but not a problem unless I went bottoming out on rocks or boulders (not something I plan on doing). Can't wait for this rain and wind to stop so I can go to L J and try it out. Hopefully tomorrow Tuesday, this unit has a crazy amount of even more setting adjustments and display options. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

03-24-2015, 04:04 PM	#17
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	Just mounted a Dragonfly trans on an X Factor, used an extra Lowrance bracket I had. Now they changed the base on the 4, too big and it does not fit on the basic RAM round base..............anyone know if RAM has come out with a mount yet, nothing but the original Dragonfly on their site??? __________________

03-24-2015, 04:57 PM	#18
slobound Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 60	^^^that looks pretty clean if you ask me!

03-24-2015, 05:16 PM	#19
Silbaugh4liberty Fishing Patriot Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 1,121	The head unit doesn't fit on the ram ball? Thanks for the heads up Andy. Think I might call them tomorrow and see what I can find out. Glad to know the transducer fits. Looks like Joe's kayak!! __________________