Mounting Depth finder??

[jimp]

any chance you could post a pic of the HDS8 mount between steering wheel/windscreen?

PM me your email, or phone #, with fubarbucket acting as they are, not gonna try to post here.

I don't have the packaging for the ram mounts anymore, but I used a smaller ball and arm on the 8 that is mounted on top of dash & behind the windscreen.

[KnightShadow10]

To answer your question..I did take the windshield off mine, and the unit works fine.. When I pull cranks, I turn the unit facing the bow of the boat..We sit facing the rear, so it works perfect..I am also a fan of the big balk mounts..They work fine.

[wicklundrh]

I've mounted tones of them on Full windshied boats. Although I have removed the windshield on boats before, there has not been a need to do so when installing the Fish Finder.

Checkout BBGMarine (member sponsor). Ask Brian for the biggest ram mount ball they have (2 inch I think).

Mock everything up with the gimbal attached to the fish finder, the RAM arm, and the ball and move it around until you find a position that the ball with fit in and the fish finder will set in the location you need it. Pay special attention to the steering wheel. I've seen too many boats where is too close the wheel and a knuckle breaker when they steer. Mark your holes for the ball and install hardware.

On some boats, Stainless threaded screws are fine as there is quite a bit of beef to them. On others, the helm is not very thick. Stainless bolts and jam nuts are what I go with. Also, if there isn't much heft to the helm, consider putting a backing plate under the helm in order to spread load the area. I have an HDS 10 mounted at my helm and it is a tight area.

In the event you want to go the rail route, I suggest Traxstech. They are expensive, but once you own one, you won't buy anything else!

[dbowling]

thanks and will check with BBG also..would have to us backer plate on my helm as its pretty thin..

I've mounted tones of them on Full windshied boats. Although I have removed the windshield on boats before, there has not been a need to do so when installing the Fish Finder.

Checkout BBGMarine (member sponsor). Ask Brian for the biggest ram mount ball they have (2 inch I think).

Mock everything up with the gimbal attached to the fish finder, the RAM arm, and the ball and move it around until you find a position that the ball with fit in and the fish finder will set in the location you need it. Pay special attention to the steering wheel. I've seen too many boats where is too close the wheel and a knuckle breaker when they steer. Mark your holes for the ball and install hardware.

On some boats, Stainless threaded screws are fine as there is quite a bit of beef to them. On others, the helm is not very thick. Stainless bolts and jam nuts are what I go with. Also, if there isn't much heft to the helm, consider putting a backing plate under the helm in order to spread load the area. I have an HDS 10 mounted at my helm and it is a tight area.

In the event you want to go the rail route, I suggest Traxstech. They are expensive, but once you own one, you won't buy anything else!