Wetmount install condundrum, Loctite Putty? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

dsafety · 09-16-2010, 07:08 PM

Be careful of using any kind of rigid material to attach the well to the hull. Kayaks flex quite a bit and anything rigid will eventually break free. If you cannot shape your well so that it comes fairly close to the contours of the hull, you will probably never have much success with the wet mount.

I know that this may come as a surprise to some but I have switched the the grease mount. My wet mount works perfectly but but a few months ago, Humminbird sent me their grease mount kit to try. It failed miserably but only because their supplied adhesive did not work. I ended up gooping their mounting bracket to my hull and the system works very well.

I cannot say that the grease mount is any better or worse than the wet mount as far as the image quality but this system is really an install and forget it mounting system. No longer do I have to worry if the water in my well has evaporated or leaked away.

For those with a hull shape that is difficult to fit to a rigid well, the grease mount may be a better way to go. The well seal does not have to be perfect. In fact you can probably use a flexible material to make the well and it only has to be deep enough to hold the transducer in place.

The only thing you have to worry about is if the material you make the well from will play nicely with the grease. Some plastics, and rubber materials will degrade after contact to oils and greases.

Although I have not tried it, I think the perfect material to make a grease mount well from is some sort of closed cell foam such as recycled tire rubber, neoprene, (wetsuit material), or EVA, the lightweight foam use in some playground applications. The material is easily cut and glued to the hull. The unknown is how it will hold up to the grease.

If someone wants to experiment, I have most of these materials on hand and plenty of grease. I would be happy to help with an installation. Please PM me if you would like to drop by my house some time and give it a try. I am in Encinitas.

Bob

roadx · 09-17-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

If someone wants to experiment, I have most of these materials on hand and plenty of grease. I would be happy to help with an installation. Please PM me if you would like to drop by my house some time and give it a try. I am in Encinitas.

Bob

what type grease you using??
im using the foam transducer blocks (two stacked on top of each other) purchased from fastlane for a wet mount and would like to try the grease mount with the foam blocks.

thanks for the offer but i think i'll pick some up at the local store if available.

dsafety · 09-17-2010, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadx

what type grease you using??
im using the foam transducer blocks (two stacked on top of each other) purchased from fastlane for a wet mount and would like to try the grease mount with the foam blocks.

thanks for the offer but i think i'll pick some up at the local store if available.

I just bought a can of Marine Grease from Pep Boys. It seems to work fine as a medium and does not melt even when it get to 150 degrees inside the kayak.

After you try this setup, please post any observations regarding how the foam holds up to exposure to the grease.

Bob

Bob

shortstack · 09-17-2010, 10:22 AM

I've used a version of the grease setup in boats, It works very well. I've even heard of guys useing hydrolic oil.

Jzo · 09-17-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortstack

I've used a version of the grease setup in boats, It works very well. I've even heard of guys useing hydrolic oil.

Hmmm... very interesting...

roadx · 09-17-2010, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

After you try this setup, please post any observations regarding how the foam holds up to exposure to the grease.

Bob

Bob

will do, im on call 24/7 for the next couple weeks and will report my results when i get off standby

Durwood101 · 09-17-2010, 12:54 PM

Bob, take a look at these pics please.

dsafety · 09-17-2010, 01:36 PM

This pipe should probably work fine providing you can get a good seal to the hull and find a cap that will seal. The rubber will flex to confirm to some moderate hull contours but not to something major.

I do like the idea of using a flexible well which should absorb some of the shock and flexing that the hull goes through.

Bob

Durwood101 · 09-17-2010, 01:55 PM

I certainly hope so.......this stuff is fun.......but only to a point. Afterall, there is more to fishing right???? I'm going to try and shape the bottom to fit the countour of the hull a little bit better. If it doesn' work, then I've thrown out $6.00.......not the worst thing certainly.

09-17-2010, 10:22 AM	#4
shortstack Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: LJ Posts: 97	oil! I've used a version of the grease setup in boats, It works very well. I've even heard of guys useing hydrolic oil.

09-16-2010, 07:08 PM	#1
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,123	Be careful of using any kind of rigid material to attach the well to the hull. Kayaks flex quite a bit and anything rigid will eventually break free. If you cannot shape your well so that it comes fairly close to the contours of the hull, you will probably never have much success with the wet mount. I know that this may come as a surprise to some but I have switched the the grease mount. My wet mount works perfectly but but a few months ago, Humminbird sent me their grease mount kit to try. It failed miserably but only because their supplied adhesive did not work. I ended up gooping their mounting bracket to my hull and the system works very well. I cannot say that the grease mount is any better or worse than the wet mount as far as the image quality but this system is really an install and forget it mounting system. No longer do I have to worry if the water in my well has evaporated or leaked away. For those with a hull shape that is difficult to fit to a rigid well, the grease mount may be a better way to go. The well seal does not have to be perfect. In fact you can probably use a flexible material to make the well and it only has to be deep enough to hold the transducer in place. The only thing you have to worry about is if the material you make the well from will play nicely with the grease. Some plastics, and rubber materials will degrade after contact to oils and greases. Although I have not tried it, I think the perfect material to make a grease mount well from is some sort of closed cell foam such as recycled tire rubber, neoprene, (wetsuit material), or EVA, the lightweight foam use in some playground applications. The material is easily cut and glued to the hull. The unknown is how it will hold up to the grease. If someone wants to experiment, I have most of these materials on hand and plenty of grease. I would be happy to help with an installation. Please PM me if you would like to drop by my house some time and give it a try. I am in Encinitas. Bob

09-17-2010, 01:36 PM	#8
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,123	This pipe should probably work fine providing you can get a good seal to the hull and find a cap that will seal. The rubber will flex to confirm to some moderate hull contours but not to something major. I do like the idea of using a flexible well which should absorb some of the shock and flexing that the hull goes through. Bob

09-17-2010, 01:55 PM	#9
Durwood101 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Poway, CA Posts: 54	I certainly hope so.......this stuff is fun.......but only to a point. Afterall, there is more to fishing right???? I'm going to try and shape the bottom to fit the countour of the hull a little bit better. If it doesn' work, then I've thrown out $6.00.......not the worst thing certainly.