Is This Even Possible?! 2024

Madd Lunacy reply :

Well I will be getting a little 10' Buster boat this weekend and I was looking at maybe getting a Humminbird SI system (Maybe a 798), but I'm starting to wonder if this is even possible to do on a plastic boat when it comes to mounting the transducer. Has anyone ever tried/done this before? I know it's probably crazy to even think about spending that much money and put it on a plastic boat, but I just don't have big bass boat money and my truck wouldn't pull one anyway.

Thanks for any feedback!

Carrington reply :

if you are getting a trolling motor also, most fish finders ive seen, the transducer will attach to the trolling motor.

Madd Lunacy reply :

I think that's what I will have to do. After looking around a little more I saw you could do that instead of mounting it on the back. Thanks for responding.

Wayne P. reply :

Do yourself a favor before you open the package with the transducer in it. Exchange it for the trolling motor mount type. It is not as fragile and likely to get knocked out of line as the transom transducers mounted on trolling motors. Just contact Humminbird service for the exchange.

Bassin_0502 reply :

I have a 10' Pelican and mount the transducer on the trolling motor. Found a clamp and a bracket that matches the curve of the motor housing designed for MinKota motors. Skeg protects the transducer very well, works like a champ.

Madd Lunacy reply :

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Do yourself a favor before you open the package with the transducer in it. Exchange it for the trolling motor mount type. It is not as fragile and likely to get knocked out of line as the transom transducers mounted on trolling motors. Just contact Humminbird service for the exchange.

Is it that simple? Is there any extra charge? I was on the Humminbird website the other day and the trolling motor mounted tranducer was $239. Thanks for the info, I never would of thought of that.

Madd Lunacy reply :

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I have a 10' Pelican and mount the transducer on the trolling motor. Found a clamp and a bracket that matches the curve of the motor housing designed for MinKota motors. Skeg protects the transducer very well, works like a champ.

This boat comes with a 36lb thrust transom mounted MinKota. In your opinion is this plenty of power for a 10' plastic boat? If not what would you recommend?

donmac reply :

Having the sonar worth more than the boat is questionable, but if you really want to just pond fish, then the plastic boat should be fine, and you can always transfer the sonar to another boat in the future.

Personally, I'd consider taking that extra grand and picking up a used tin boat, towable behind anything, and it would allow you to fish a much greater variety of water. But if you want to pond fish on calm water, you're on the right track and would have cool sonar to play with.

J Francho reply :

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Having the sonar worth more than the boat is questionable

I don't think so. I don't just fish ponds either. I'm weighing the pros and cons of adding either SI or an Aquaview to my rig. I have far more in tackle, electronics, and other gear than my boat is worth.

I'll cast another vote for the trolling motor mount for the OP. You'll be able to go from boat to boat with this unit, relatively trouble free.

The only thing I'll add, are you sure about the bass buster? I looked at similar boats, jons, and canoes. I settled with a fishing kayak. I'm much less limited in choice of water than if I went with another craft.

donmac reply :

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Having the sonar worth more than the boat is questionable

I don't think so. I don't just fish ponds either. I'm weighing the pros and cons of adding either SI or an Aquaview to my rig. I have far more in tackle, electronics, and other gear than my boat is worth....

Point well taken. I was just considering resale value. If you add $4000 worth of electronics to a $6000 boat, the package will not be worth $10000. So, from an investment point of view, if the electronics are worth more than the boat, you may not do as well on resale. From a 'cool toys' point of view, heck, the more the merrier.

Taylor Fishin 4 life reply :

man i love your kayak man

Madd Lunacy reply :

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Having the sonar worth more than the boat is questionable, but if you really want to just pond fish, then the plastic boat should be fine, and you can always transfer the sonar to another boat in the future.
Personally, I'd consider taking that extra grand and picking up a used tin boat, towable behind anything, and it would allow you to fish a much greater variety of water. But if you want to pond fish on calm water, you're on the right track and would have cool sonar to play with.

Here's a picture of the boat I will be getting. It has a trailer so I will be able to tow it any where. I doubt very much I will be able to use it effectively on the big lakes, but I'm gonna put a 5hp motor on it and that should get me around on the small and medium lakes in my are with no problems.

I know it's crazy to put a unit like that on a little boat, but it will get used plenty. And my 798 should be in the mail tomorrow and I pick up the boat on Saturday, so it is a good week for me. I can finally get off the shore!!!!

Madd Lunacy reply :

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Having the sonar worth more than the boat is questionable

I don't think so. I don't just fish ponds either. I'm weighing the pros and cons of adding either SI or an Aquaview to my rig. I have far more in tackle, electronics, and other gear than my boat is worth.

I'll cast another vote for the trolling motor mount for the OP. You'll be able to go from boat to boat with this unit, relatively trouble free.

The only thing I'll add, are you sure about the bass buster? I looked at similar boats, jons, and canoes. I settled with a fishing kayak. I'm much less limited in choice of water than if I went with another craft.

I wish I had big bass boat money, but I just don't and like I said before my little truck wouldn't pull a full sized bass boat anyway. The thing that sold me on this one was the trailer.

Nice rig!

Carrington reply :

be very careful putting a 5hp motor on that small of a boat. my 12 foot jonboat is only rated for i believe 3 hp but i could get away with 5 hp. that boat im not sure if you could get away with it.

Madd Lunacy reply :

The specs say it is rated to have a 5hp motor. I think it is a lot tougher than it looks. The capacity for this boat is supposed to be 610lbs which I think is a lot for other plastic boats like this. Here's the link with the info.

Carrington reply :

it will probably handle it, i am shocked that that boat weighs 175 lbs. my 12 foot jon boat weights 105 i wanna say.

Madd Lunacy reply :

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it will probably handle it, i am shocked that that boat weighs 175 lbs. my 12 foot jon boat weights 105 i wanna say.

Yeah I know. It's like it's on steroids. It's got handles on it too. I am gonna be interested to see how hard it will be for me and my buddy to carry cause I have a little pond that I really like to fish and I won't be able to get the trailer down to it. We will be carrying it without the 5 horse of course.

Carrington reply :

ya it shouldnt be to bad with you and a friend carrying it. im also shocked at the pricepoint of it when you showed me that website. i payed less then that for my perfectly working 17 foot 115 hp bass boat. but then again i found that as an amazing deal.

Madd Lunacy reply :

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ya it shouldnt be to bad with you and a friend carrying it. im also shocked at the pricepoint of it when you showed me that website. i payed less then that for my perfectly working 17 foot 115 hp bass boat. but then again i found that as an amazing deal.

I am getting last years model for $2000 brand new. Couldn't get it if it was the $3400 like on the website.

Carrington reply :

ah ok, well best of luck and it should be a blast once you get it on the water.

Madd Lunacy reply :

Thanks!

kikstand454 reply :

i had one of those. not the same brand... but a plastic 10fter like that.

be careful when loading and unloading it. the corners of the hull like to break and smash inward. dont hit rocks with it. i liked mine and fished out of it till it just wouldnt float safe anymore. no matter how much ductape i put on the corners.

Madd Lunacy reply :

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i had one of those. not the same brand... but a plastic 10fter like that.
be careful when loading and unloading it. the corners of the hull like to break and smash inward. dont hit rocks with it. i liked mine and fished out of it till it just wouldnt float safe anymore. no matter how much ductape i put on the corners.

I appreciate the warning and the heads up on some of the issues I might run in to. This will be my first plastic boat so any info like this is very helpful. I'm gonna try to be really careful with it, but I know stuff happens.

J Francho reply :

Looks pretty good for a pond boat. I would be careful in "high seas." I have about $2500 into my boat, though it weighs only 80 lbs. so I can carry it on my roof. Fish to the strengths of such a boat, don't try to be a miniature bass boat, but a well equipped pond/creek/back water master. You can fish comfortably where guys with a big boat are restricted to shore because they can't launch. I'm thinking you won't need the 5 hp much. Leaving it behind will simplify a whole lot.

J Francho reply :

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Having the sonar worth more than the boat is questionable

I don't think so. I don't just fish ponds either. I'm weighing the pros and cons of adding either SI or an Aquaview to my rig. I have far more in tackle, electronics, and other gear than my boat is worth....

Point well taken. I was just considering resale value. If you add $4000 worth of electronics to a $6000 boat, the package will not be worth $10000. So, from an investment point of view, if the electronics are worth more than the boat, you may not do as well on resale. From a 'cool toys' point of view, heck, the more the merrier.

I base my fishing related purchases on USEFULNESS, not RESALE.

Madd Lunacy reply :

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Looks pretty good for a pond boat. I would be careful in "high seas." I have about $2500 into my boat, though it weighs only 80 lbs. so I can carry it on my roof. Fish to the strengths of such a boat, don't try to be a miniature bass boat, but a well equipped pond/creek/back water master. You can fish comfortably where guys with a big boat are restricted to shore because they can't launch. I'm thinking you won't need the 5 hp much. Leaving it behind will simplify a whole lot.

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. I just wish it would warm up and thaw out here so I can get on the water. This is one of the coldest winters that I can remember.

Kenny418 reply :

That looks like it would be fun to fish out of. I think you should have sprung for the 1197 though. ;D

Madd Lunacy reply :

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That looks like it would be fun to fish out of. I think you should have sprung for the 1197 though. ;D

I think I should have too...unfortunately my bank account didn't think so.

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Is This Even Possible?! 2024

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