Transducer mounting on Honwave T3.8

[kaman]

In preparation for next year when I bid farewell to my trailered Honwave 3.5ae in favour of a trailered Highfield 380 CL I've have recently purchased a mint condition Honwave T3.8.
I'm planning to keep the T3.8 as my caravanning Sib and intend doing a bit of fishing / exploring from it whilst on my caravan holidays.
Just wondering if anyone uses an air floor Honwave with a fishfinder and if so how do they mount the transducer.
I have a Garmin Echo 300c which I intend using on the Honwave however the inflatable trim tabs get in the way of normal transducer mounting.
The T3.8 has the Honwave launch wheels fitted do could possibly mount the transducer to the wheel leg or fashion a home made -clamped on piece of wood to get the transducer over the edge of the tab.
I see also that Garmin also offer a suction cup mount for their transducers. I doubt it would reliably stick to the underside of the trim tab - especially at speed.
Leaning towards fabricating bolt / clamp on piece of wood and fixing the transducer to it.
Anyone on here done similar.
Any ideas greatly appreciated.

[stray]

Something like this?


Transducer Bracket - With 5 | Fishing Tackle | The Tackle Shop

[kaman]

Stray thanks, that looks just the ticket.
Could tie it onto the transom wheel legs for added stability.
Easy on and easy off.
Do you have any experience of using it on one of your past Sibs?

[stray]

Sorry, I haven't got one. Buy one and write a review.

[kaman]

Stray, I might just do that - unless I get any better suggestions.
I am liking the look of the transducer mount though :thumbup:

[kaman]

Bought the transducer mount as suggested by Stray earlier.
Not used it on the water yet but well impressed with its robustness and the service form the supplier (The tackle shop).

Made a few bits and bobs for readying the Honwave for some loch and sea fishing.
Rod holders that attach via the transom eye bolts.
And and an easy on / off fish finder unit and battery box.
Hopefully transducer mount is successful.
If need be I can move it to the opposite side of the transom wheel leg if the turbulence from the propeller is too disruptive.

[Fishery Pokery]

Originally Posted by kaman

Bought the transducer mount as suggested by Stray earlier.
Not used it on the water yet but well impressed with its robustness and the service form the supplier (The tackle shop).

Made a few bits and bobs for readying the Honwave for some loch and sea fishing.
Rod holders that attach via the transom eye bolts.
And and an easy on / off fish finder unit and battery box.
Hopefully transducer mount is successful.
If need be I can move it to the opposite side of the transom wheel leg if the turbulence from the propeller is too disruptive.

Hi Kaman, some great ideas.

Can I ask if you still use the transducer mount and how you find it?

Cheers,

Geoff

[kaman]

Hi Geoff I'm pleased to say that the clamp works perfectly as does the rest of the set up.
I mounted it on the outside of the launch wheel near the starboard tube.
The link to where I bought it is posted above by Stray.

[stray]

I finally bought one and I'm still using it, but it's a bit lightweight for a Lowrance Totalscan transducer. I'll be replacing it soon.

[kaman]

Hi Stray.
I had my reservations about whether the mount would hold my Garmin transducer steady.
I position mine so that it rests against the rear starboard trim tab.
I use a piece of string to anchor the shaft of the transducer mount tight against the launch wheel shaft.
It's absolutely rock solid with no movement whatsoever.
I don't know what Geoff is looking to mount it to?
The mount does work perfectly with my Honwave T3.8.

[Fishery Pokery]

Originally Posted by kaman

Hi Stray.
I had my reservations about whether the mount would hold my Garmin transducer steady.
I position mine so that it rests against the rear starboard trim tab.
I use a piece of string to anchor the shaft of the transducer mount tight against the launch wheel shaft.
It's absolutely rock solid with no movement whatsoever.
I don't know what Geoff is looking to mount it to?
The mount does work perfectly with my Honwave T3.8.

Thanks for replying Kaman.

I am thinking of getting a Honwave and was wondering how to go about fixing the transducer.

I don't like mounting things on the transom more than necessary so this would be a good solution.

On a separate note, can I ask if you struggle with single handed launching the t38?

I am thinking of switching from a Avon S3.4 with aluminium floor as I never use it due to the pain of putting it all together and launching it.

Thanks,

Geoff

[kaman]

Hi again Geoff

It is an awkward lump to man handle yourself TBH.
It is doable and once you've got it in and out of the car it's easy enough to wheel around on it's transom wheels.
I have a Tohatsu 20hp 4 stroke which is slightly heavier than the T3.8 also a pain to man handle!
Compared with the pain of a ally floor sib it the T3.8 is a pleasure to blow up and launch - no faffing around with floor sections and stringers.
I have a Honwave 3.5ae ally floor which I soon tired of - it is now permanently trailered.
In summary and in hindsight the T3.8 is the only sib I would thank you for now.
It's every bit as capable as the ally floored Sibs and a lot less hassle.

[Fishery Pokery]

Thanks again Kaman!

I am torn between the t3.2, t3.8 or an excel 3.5 (all air deck).

I will usually be out by myself or with a mate, but it would be nice with a t38 to be able to take the kids if they fancy it in the future. I assume it's more capable being longer as well.

I only have a 8hp 2 stroke for the near future too.

Thanks for your help.

Geoff

[kaman]

The T3.8 is a completely different beast to the T3.2.
Although only 60 cms longer it is vastly bigger in terms of tubes and beam. I've seen the 2 side by side and the T3.8 dwarfs it's smaller stable mate.
I'd be much more confident going out in a chop in the T3.8 than the T3.2.
Not that I'm knocking the smaller sib I just prefer the bigger version.
I reckon the 8 hp will get you up on the plane with the Sibs you are considering if one up and lightly loaded.
Your probably going to struggle to get out of the hole once the head count and the weight you are carrying on board increases.
I don't know much about the 3.5 excel so I'm not in a position to comment on it.
I'm sure you will be pleased with any of the sibs you mention.
Happy shopping / sibbing.

[kaman]

Here's a comparison of the t3.8 and t3.2 as pictured by the guys from Fribs and Sibs.
Sure they won't mind me using it to illustrate the size difference.

[Fishery Pokery]

Thanks very much for your help Kaman. 👍

[kaman]

Your very welcome.
Keep us posted once you take the plunge.

[warder54]

Hi Kaman, like your setup, especially the mounting for the fishfinder head unit\battery box.
I have recently bought the Raymarine WiFish sounder and everything is stowed in the seat bag. Think I will now hijack your idea (as well as this thread - oops!)
One difference, as it has no screen I may mount it all under the seat
Pic from screen capture, fish visible but obviously not hungry!

[warder54]

Bugger file won't upload - never mind, saves more thread drift!

[kaman]

Fill your boots Warder - happy my mods are of some use / inspiration to you.
I've actually added to it recently in the form of - an old lurpak tub, my old android phone in a water resistant gorilla glass case, black paint, and some old scraps of wood.
My phone has MX Mariner loaded on it as offline marine navigation works well with the phones GPS.
I wired in a cigarette lighter socket to the battery box to charge my phone / VHF etc.
I've fitted a rectifier to my Tohatsu 20hp outboard to charge the 7ah battery as I go so I'm off grid suffiecent.

Cheap as chip and does the job