Hobie Forums
http://www.hobie.com/forums/

Installing a Fish Finder in my OB...
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=4798
Page 1 of 2

Author:  SheYakFishr [ Tue Sep 05, 2006 9:16 am ]
Post subject:  Installing a Fish Finder in my OB...

I have searched all over and read/received a few ideas on installing my fish finder but wanted to see who else has one installed. I have everything figured out EXCEPT using something that I can quickly disconnect and leave the wire behind (to wrap in plastic so the OB can be rinsed off). I am going to install it into the right front recessed area behind the rod holder. I'll just have to put my radio/tools in the others. I was thinking of using pvc male/female parts so I could unscrew the finder and leave a small pc of pvc there so it doesn't stick up past the edge so it doesn't get accidently hit when loading/unloading. I do not want a ball system because I have a scotty already in place over the one rod holder hole. I want the ff to be lower than the scotty if possible.. so I can still use it AND read the FF... thus the pvc set up. Do you think it will work?.. or can you think of or have a better solution. (it would be too far to see it for me inserted into the sail mast. I bring my fish mostly on the left hand side so I want that area clear. I look forward to your suggestions/advise. :idea: Thanks! Pam

Author:  ronbo613 [ Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:15 am ]
Post subject: 

I take the fishfinder off, then put a corner of a baggie over the electrical plug and secure it with a few rubber bands. I have to do this when I go in and out through the surf, which is most of the time.
Even though it's not 100% waterproof, it does a fairly good job with stuff everybody has around anyway. I always flush the fishfinder plug in fresh water(AFTER removing the battery), blow the water out of the little sockets and dry it with a paper towel.

Author:  SheYakFishr [ Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:46 am ]
Post subject: 

Hey Ron.. I just got back from lunch at Radio Shack.. bought the 8 AA battery with charger. It says it's for an RC car.. will this one work? The employee said it wouldn't work because it's says.. 9.6v. I believe you or someone told me in another reply that 8AA batteries make 12v or something like that. I'm going to go back to find it. He basically was arguing with me.. saying I needed a 12 v batteryand that thing must weigh 5-6 lbs. I kept telling him I needed the kind that is packaged together. He told me I probably needed to go to maybe an army/navy store to find what I need... I told him.. they were going to be put in a water proof bag and velcroed off the hatch cover and that larger one would NEVER be held up. It would be sitting in water in no time. I will say.. being a man.. does have it's advantages. Maybe they would not have questioned you guys! :roll:

Author:  ronbo613 [ Tue Sep 05, 2006 5:24 pm ]
Post subject: 

Eight AA batteries should be able to power your fishfinder. The reason fishfinders are "12v" is because the boats they are made for run on 12v, like a car. A solid state device like a fishfinder only needs about nine volts. Eight AA batteries will produce about 9.6 volts.
It is the amperage that will be more of a factor with the fishfinder. AA batteries are small so they don't have a tremendous amount of storage capacity. I'm going to guess the batteries from Radio Shack are about 1800 ma(milliamps). Most fishfinders take about 170ma to about 250ma(with the light on) to run them. So, divide 1800ma from your battery by the (roughly) 180ma it takes to run the finder, it should run about 10 hours. It's probably going to be less than that, more like seven hours, if you're lucky, but you see how it works.

Author:  SheYakFishr [ Sat Sep 09, 2006 10:19 am ]
Post subject: 

Thanks Ron!.. That guy didn't know what he was talking about!!! This morning, I finally got to try my FF out and it worked GREAT!! I was worried about bubbles... but there was none because there wasn't any interference that I could tell. I was so excited to see little fish and some big ones too. I'm also glad that I can also see the depth of the water I'm in. Thanks for your help! My next project is putting together a night light. hehe heheh. Have a great day!!! Pam

Author:  ronbo613 [ Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:52 am ]
Post subject: 

A fishfinder is a big help, especially on a kayak. Glad to hear it's working out. For lights, I have an LED headlamp that I bought at Sports Authority for about $10. Plenty bright and it has a light that flashes to give you that full dorko look as you are paddling along.

Author:  Apalach [ Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:19 am ]
Post subject: 

Hey Ron and Pam,
I got a laff out of Ron's comment: "to give you that full dorko look as you are paddling along". But there is hope on the horizon. I have been using a "Night Blaster" light that attaches to the brim of my fishing cap. However, it is still a bit heavy and sometimes gets in the way. On a whim, I just bought what is advertised as a "tackle box light" from W-M for about $9. It is really tiny and seemed to put out more light (or maybe it was more focused, being smaller), also clips to the brim of my cap, and you really don't even notice it is there from a weight perspective. Worked great for night fishing and those early morning 0-dark-30 setups (or is that 0-dork-30 setups?).

Image

Author:  SheYakFishr [ Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:14 pm ]
Post subject: 

Apalach... That is a cool light. I was able to finally find one of those River something lights.. lol I will put it all together this week. I'd LOVE to go fishing after work.. and then stay a little later.. which would mean.. I'd have to load up in the dark. Getting back concerns me also.. since I always fish (almost) alone. I haven't found a well-lit up boat ramp for me to use at night yet. Plus.. there are gators around here and I surely don't want to run into one of those at night. :shock:

and yes... o dork thirty sounds good.. hahahahha My new light flashes also... I will look in style!! Maybe we could all get a parade going.... flash... flash.... flash.... HAHAHHA :roll:

Author:  Apalach [ Sun Sep 10, 2006 7:14 pm ]
Post subject: 

Pam,
Yep—that River Rock is a great little light. Here is the Hobie Sport with the light mounted in the center slot of a 3 piece rodholder. It is at the end of a 5 foot piece of ¾ inch diameter PVC with a piece of ¾ inch pipe insulation around the base to keep it from wobbling around.

Image

Here is the light itself secured in the PVC base with a pair of SS 10 inch bungees.

Image

Author:  ronbo613 [ Sun Sep 10, 2006 7:35 pm ]
Post subject: 

I usually launch through the surf a couple hours before sunrise because we have to catch bait before we start fishing. Because the gear is stowed below deck so it doesn't get wet or washed overboard while going through the waves, there is a period where I paddle in the dark with only the lights from the shore, which are actually not much help.
You can hear fish jumping around and sea lions will often shadow you, you can hear them breathing but you usually can't see them unless your light hits them in the eyes and they "glow". Kind of spooky, gets the adrenaline going at 4 AM, if you were a little sleepy.
The time before last, as I was catching bait with a sabiki rig under a pier that has lights on it(that's probably what attracts the baitfish), a mako or great white shark, about eight feet long, swam under my kayak and through the pier pilings, so the creatures are out there, to me it doesn't matter all that much if you see them or not. After some time on the water, you develop a "feel" for what's going on, the light only lets you see maybe thirty feet around you, which is a small part of a big ocean.

Author:  SheYakFishr [ Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:59 am ]
Post subject: 

Ron.. that would un-nerve me right there and then.. seeing a 8' shark go under my yak. I've caught a 41" Jack Cravelle two weeks ago... and when I finally got it up to the surface... I thought.. OMGGGG... look how big it is. After another 10 minutes.. I finally got that sucker in my yak... he took up the entire inside. I couldn't even pedal with him that way.. so moved him sideways in my lap. I didn't even know what it was.. laffin.. neither did about 3 other boats in the immediate area... hahah I have a fish book now!

Apalach... What are all those other lights you have on your yak? It looks like you have one below the River Rock one... Someone had one that lit up the pvc pipe.. can't find the pic now.. lol. I'm thinking they were using one of those candy canes and it looked like it was lit up down the pole. The more light the better for me. :) I also bought a pc of pvc that has the groove lines inside and it holds that lamp tight. I'll probably go ahead and bungie it also... just in case. :wink: I'm going to try to find another source of light too. May check the one you bought for your hat. Now.. all I need to do is find someone to go night fishing or early evening... :D

Author:  Apalach [ Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:25 am ]
Post subject: 

Hey Pam,
Those "other lights" are just the DOT reflective tape that you see on all the big rig trucks and trailers on the highway now. Same stuff that is on the sides of my yaks. I got mine at W-M in the trailer/auto department.

Author:  Apalach [ Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:37 am ]
Post subject: 

Pam:
Quote:
Now.. all I need to do is find someone to go night fishing or early evening...


Have you checked out your local yakfishing club over there?

http://www.gulfcoastkayakfishing.com/

Seems like they are getting pretty well organized--might be a good place to find some like-minded yakfishers.
Dick

Author:  ronbo613 [ Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:43 am ]
Post subject: 

Quote:
Ron.. that would un-nerve me right there and then.. seeing a 8' shark go under my yak.
When I was surfing in Costa Rica, I saw lots of 6-8' reef sharks below me in the crystal clear water. At first, it was a little scary, but I always remember what the local fishermen told me; a six foot shark is not going to eat somebody, the sharks are around because their food is around. When you don't see the six foot sharks around, that's the time to worry because the six footers don't want to become a meal for the twelve footers.
I'm going out tomorrow, I'll try to get a photo if I see another one, but since I'm taking my camera, I can almost guarantee you I won't see anything.

Author:  SheYakFishr [ Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:00 am ]
Post subject:  Fishing at night....

Yes Dick.. The Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing club is GREAT and I am a member there. It seems most of the yakkers are married and of course.. need kitchen passes. :) I'm just one of the guys (laffs) .. who LOVES to fish and could probably go every afternoon. :- ) It's seldom when someone else can go.. especially in the early evening. Since I am unattached.. I can go at a drop of a hat. I was going at least once.. twice a week after work... but it's getting darker sooner and I don't want to stay out after dark without someone else being around. :) I guess with age... one becomes leary of what's in the water after dark... HAHA .. then one must consider.. seeing in the dark.. to get back to the launch area.

Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/