The reason why the universal mount isn't universal is because they're designed for Humminbird fishfinders. Humminbird and Old Town kayaks have the same parent company (Johnson Outdoors). Garmin is the rival company. Great video showing the adapter and work around.
Oh I know. Thats why I make fun of it being "universal". Its just one of those marketing things that irks me. One the best selling fishfinders on the market wont fit their "universal" mounting plate without a custom or aftermarket adapter and they can still call it universal. LOL
just got a sportsman 106 pdl I wish I would have found this video before I was up until midnight last night trying to adapt my transducer to the mount given, Not happy with it so I'm going back out to the garage and making one of these. Maybe if I mount the transducer backwards it can be snugged up a bit closer to the hull.
The gap where the wires come thru the hatch may not be a problem but make sure you can still latch cover in place because when you flip it (and you will) water gets inside yak when you flip it back upright and runs to the back and you can’t get back aboard because it just wants to roll over from water inside the hull, I would advise carrying a hand bilge pump, don’t ask me how I know this lol
Thanks for the suggestion. The bungy that holds the latch still fits not problem. I think I might just go with the through hull kit eventually anyways though. Bilge is in the kit.
I just remounted mine due to it hanging lower than the bottom of the hull... all I did was remove the mount entirely, and marine goop it right up against the bottom of the hole... quick and easy. its a killer fish finder unit, Ive seen a group of fish that looked literally like perch on the screen in a non perch lake... stopped trolling to jig and see, got a perch to the kayak in a minute...great detail and clarity. plus is the current draw is low.. about .35 amp hr... so a 7ah battery could last you 2-3 days of fishing. I even got it to run of off a 20watt solar panel with no battery...
I really like the unit. I am not getting that kind of battery life out of mine though. I wonder if running a split screen with the traditional and clear vue uses more battery. I have seen some very clear outlines of fish on mine as well.
Hey man. I got a top water 106 and I just bought the garmin striker 4 cv plus. But I had the same problem of the not so multipurpose transducer mount. I was wondering if you could make me the same exact mount for my kayak. Of course I would pay you good money. If you have any interest in helping this fellow angler out please contact me! Thanks
I used the plastic plate it came with to lay out the holes and shape the plate but it is not the same on the front. I made that side longer to mount the piece of angle to.
I just made another one for my GT54 from the left over pieces from this build. The angle I used is 1"x1" and the sheet aluminum is 1/16". If you are going to bend the sheet metal for your 90 then you would want to go with 1/8"
@@AllTheHobbies Awesome, thanks. My plan is to not actually incorporate a right angle but instead mount it on top of the removable Old Town bracket. Do you find with it so close that there is interface? How does your SideVu read too?
@@topwater_tommy My latest one is on my Sportsman Autopilot 120 and even though the bracket is almost identical to this one is doesnt have as deep of tunnel at the front where the mounting spot is. I have only had it out once since my install so I dont want to say it works perfectly yet. But I did not notice any interference from the hull so far. It is tighter to the hull than most other mounts will get it too. I am still learning the graph and the boat so I will need a little more time to make sure its the right bracket and position. I will probably post over on my other channel when I have it dialed in. th-cam.com/channels/4aBlnthWhHbBNq3TFbUrdQ.html
@@AllTheHobbies Awesome, hadn't realized you had another channel! Congrats on the new Sportsman Autopilot too. I just picked up a Predator PDL and am excited to get out there. I definitely want to get my transducer as close to the hull as I can to avoid bottom contact, but I am unsure of potential interference. Sounds like your setups works for far! I'll finish up mine this week and report back.
I like that they have made a transducer spot part of the kayak. A lot of companies dont even do that. It might take some custom work to get a lot of transducers to work without setting to low though.
The reason why the universal mount isn't universal is because they're designed for Humminbird fishfinders. Humminbird and Old Town kayaks have the same parent company (Johnson Outdoors). Garmin is the rival company. Great video showing the adapter and work around.
Oh I know. Thats why I make fun of it being "universal". Its just one of those marketing things that irks me. One the best selling fishfinders on the market wont fit their "universal" mounting plate without a custom or aftermarket adapter and they can still call it universal. LOL
@@AllTheHobbies great modification to make a universal mount "universal"
After watching your video twice, I might get the exact model for my Topwater. Thanks for helping others.
Great install. I love the cutting board mount idea. 👍👍
Great job on that T bolt mount. I can't see paying so much for a mount also. Nice invention.
thanks, i just bought the same kayak and was thinking about the same fish finder, this video gives me hope on how to mount. Nice job!!
just got a sportsman 106 pdl I wish I would have found this video before I was up until midnight last night trying to adapt my transducer to the mount given, Not happy with it so I'm going back out to the garage and making one of these. Maybe if I mount the transducer backwards it can be snugged up a bit closer to the hull.
Thanks for this valuable information
I was able to just modify the plastic Garmin bracket. I do like your fix though, looks good!
Learned a good tip. Thanks for sharing. Great channel.
The gap where the wires come thru the hatch may not be a problem but make sure you can still latch cover in place because when you flip it (and you will) water gets inside yak when you flip it back upright and runs to the back and you can’t get back aboard because it just wants to roll over from water inside the hull, I would advise carrying a hand bilge pump, don’t ask me how I know this lol
Thanks for the suggestion. The bungy that holds the latch still fits not problem. I think I might just go with the through hull kit eventually anyways though. Bilge is in the kit.
John Short can you make a mount for me for the transducer I will pay
I just remounted mine due to it hanging lower than the bottom of the hull... all I did was remove the mount entirely, and marine goop it right up against the bottom of the hole... quick and easy. its a killer fish finder unit, Ive seen a group of fish that looked literally like perch on the screen in a non perch lake... stopped trolling to jig and see, got a perch to the kayak in a minute...great detail and clarity. plus is the current draw is low.. about .35 amp hr... so a 7ah battery could last you 2-3 days of fishing. I even got it to run of off a 20watt solar panel with no battery...
I really like the unit. I am not getting that kind of battery life out of mine though. I wonder if running a split screen with the traditional and clear vue uses more battery. I have seen some very clear outlines of fish on mine as well.
How is that holding up? I just got my 106 Minn Kota today and am looking at this problem now.
@@EchoKilo Soo far so good. Haven't had it out much, but it's solid.
@@brent338 Thanks, this is the route I am going. Trying to build a custom bracket just isn't high on my skills list.
HEY Mcgiver, good video. I had the same problem and you came up with a simple cheap plan. Good job
Thank you. LOL I love the MacGyver reference.
Hey man. I got a top water 106 and I just bought the garmin striker 4 cv plus. But I had the same problem of the not so multipurpose transducer mount. I was wondering if you could make me the same exact mount for my kayak. Of course I would pay you good money. If you have any interest in helping this fellow angler out please contact me! Thanks
I have this kayak looking into fish finders. Was thinking about trying to install it inside the they kayak instead hmmm
I'll have to make a custom bracket for my Garmin Striker 4 with the generic smaller transducer.... great
Yak attack makes a mount for the garmen will fit into the track. Also there is a guy that makes a scudder mount for the transducer.
Yes but they are stupid expensive for what they are. They guy making the mount came out after this video.
Mounting the bracket I just flipped it over. I had to file the transducer plate round.
Very helpful! thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Can I buy one of these brackets off of you? Please
just wondering if you made the plate longer than the plastic mount minus the back piece. (the plate that you screw your transducer on)
I used the plastic plate it came with to lay out the holes and shape the plate but it is not the same on the front. I made that side longer to mount the piece of angle to.
Can I buy one I have the 106 powered by min Kota . I’ll pay whatever
Looking to make a similar setup for a GT-52HW transducer. What thickness did you use for your flat bar?
I just made another one for my GT54 from the left over pieces from this build. The angle I used is 1"x1" and the sheet aluminum is 1/16". If you are going to bend the sheet metal for your 90 then you would want to go with 1/8"
@@AllTheHobbies Awesome, thanks. My plan is to not actually incorporate a right angle but instead mount it on top of the removable Old Town bracket. Do you find with it so close that there is interface? How does your SideVu read too?
@@topwater_tommy My latest one is on my Sportsman Autopilot 120 and even though the bracket is almost identical to this one is doesnt have as deep of tunnel at the front where the mounting spot is. I have only had it out once since my install so I dont want to say it works perfectly yet. But I did not notice any interference from the hull so far. It is tighter to the hull than most other mounts will get it too. I am still learning the graph and the boat so I will need a little more time to make sure its the right bracket and position. I will probably post over on my other channel when I have it dialed in. th-cam.com/channels/4aBlnthWhHbBNq3TFbUrdQ.html
@@AllTheHobbies Awesome, hadn't realized you had another channel! Congrats on the new Sportsman Autopilot too. I just picked up a Predator PDL and am excited to get out there. I definitely want to get my transducer as close to the hull as I can to avoid bottom contact, but I am unsure of potential interference. Sounds like your setups works for far! I'll finish up mine this week and report back.
Damn, I have the same kayak. What a stupid design by old Town.
I like that they have made a transducer spot part of the kayak. A lot of companies dont even do that. It might take some custom work to get a lot of transducers to work without setting to low though.
@@AllTheHobbies
Yeah, I read up on it and there is a more universal mount that can be install that works with most transducers