Scotty Transducer Mount

[Dave Legacy]

Yeah, you'll literally pick up strands of eel grass, kelp, etc that will drag like a streamer off the arm. so far it's all migrated up the arm to the surface and hasn't been hard to clear or obstruct signal. Just annoying!

[FreddoFly]

Originally Posted by Dave Legacy

Yeah, you'll literally pick up strands of eel grass, kelp, etc that will drag like a streamer off the arm. so far it's all migrated up the arm to the surface and hasn't been hard to clear or obstruct signal. Just annoying!

Ah - I hear ya Dave. This ought to be fun!

The rotation you mentioned.... How does that occur? Is the rod twisting? The RAM Mount shouldn't be slipping I imagine. Would you fill me in please?

[Dave Legacy]

Originally Posted by FreddoFly

Ah - I hear ya Dave. This ought to be fun!

The rotation you mentioned.... How does that occur? Is the rod twisting? The RAM Mount shouldn't be slipping I imagine. Would you fill me in please?

My ram ball is actually a wedge mount that I put in an existing flush mount rod holder. My theory is that due to the design of the wedge mount, being held in by friction alone, there are many points along the way that allow minor degrees of "wiggle". Add up all those minor bits of "wiggle" and you end up with something noticeable. To be honest if I were to smack the arm on something stationary I would much rather prefer the arm give than my hull having to be the weak point!

It is minor though and I've often thought that if I was using a fixed ball it wouldn't happen. RAM clamps offer a little play though in general if one puts some leverage on them. If you put too much pressure on them they will also permanently indent.

[FreddoFly]

Originally Posted by Dave Legacy

My ram ball is actually a wedge mount that I put in an existing flush mount rod holder. My theory is that due to the design of the wedge mount, being held in by friction alone, there are many points along the way that allow minor degrees of "wiggle". Add up all those minor bits of "wiggle" and you end up with something noticeable.

Thanks Dave! I've seen what you explained and suppose a ball mount on my kayak would stay nice and tight if I went with a RAM Mount. I want to look at all options and have no problem fabricating my own too but time will tell. I'll be paddling as well; no peddling and no motor, so drag shouldn't be a big deal for mostly lake fishing.

[PapaDave]

Originally Posted by FreddoFly

Thanks Dave! I've seen what you explained and suppose a ball mount on my kayak would stay nice and tight if I went with a RAM Mount. I want to look at all options and have no problem fabricating my own too but time will tell. I'll be paddling as well; no peddling and no motor, so drag shouldn't be a big deal for mostly lake fishing.

A RAM mount will not stay in one place if there s a load put on it. I used to use those exclusively but since have changed over to the Scotty mounts as they will lock in a position.

[FreddoFly]

Originally Posted by PapaDave

A RAM mount will not stay in one place if there s a load put on it. I used to use those exclusively but since have changed over to the Scotty mounts as they will lock in a position.

Thanks PapaDave! Do think I need to be concerned with flex in the arm affecting the sonar being that my transducer is not tiny? Please let me know - thanks! For the Scotty 141 I've been checking out, I just need to be sure I can get that 4" track mounted so the arm will get into the water OK.

[Amish Ed]

Sorry, just saw this. That transducer is a beast! Email John at Mad Frog Gear and see what he thinks. I'm sure he could help.

[PapaDave]

Originally Posted by FreddoFly

Thanks PapaDave! Do think I need to be concerned with flex in the arm affecting the sonar being that my transducer is not tiny? Please let me know - thanks! For the Scotty 141 I've been checking out, I just need to be sure I can get that 4" track mounted so the arm will get into the water OK.

I don't think you will be going fast enough for the arm to flex all that much, even with the larger transducer. Most transducers are made to cut through the water and not have much drag on them. The only thing that would produce drag would be weeds or kelp that got stuck on the arm or transducer.