Thread: PVC boards for transducer mounts

What i did, did not involve a cutting board. I used pvc 1x4 trim that is 15/16 thick. I screwed this in the transom and sealed with 5200. Its leak proof and will not come off. The screws for the transducers are around an inch long so they do not penetrate the hull. I know this is not what you were asking but hopefully at least it will help

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Ok, helps some anyway. I have read where some have used marine epoxy to attach the board to the aluminum hull and no screws and haven't had a problem. My local store don't carry PVC boards so a cutting board is my option. Cut three pieces to size, rough up the meeting surfaces and epoxy together to gget the right thickness...

Mine came from Cabela's. I paid 15$. It is .75 in thick. I applied a marine glue and used one screw that went though the old screw hole from where my old transducer bracket was to hold it will the glue set up. So on my board I can use a 3/4 inch screw to attach my transducer.

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I 3M 5200'd mine on and had no issues. I believe mine is 3/4" thick and I use 3/4" screws. Looking back though, I dont think putting a screw/bolt through each end is a bad idea though. The point of the board is more so not to make unnecessary holes in the transom. Even if you bolt it through on each end you can move the transducer around and then if you need to replace the board for whatever reason you just fasten a new one on in its place. If I went that route I would use the lesser 3M product (4200?) or basic silicone to seal the two holes and provide a layer on the backside to avoid vibration or stuff getting trapped back there if its not totally flat surface.

I'll also add, I used a product specifically for that purpose but for a small jon boat project I'm doing, I did buy a 10 ft pvc board from lowes which I cut down and plan to mount as a transducer board for it. It was really cheap. My only issue is that the transom is super wavy lol. I could shorten it by half and be fine but I want it wider as I plan on also using it as a mount for an underwater transom light.

Rytekmarine makes great products just for this.

I used a store bought sacrificial mounting board from BPS. On further inspection, it’s high density poly ethylene, or HDPE. Available way cheaper than I paid. Cutting board material. I did mount it with one screw in each end about an inch in from the end to prevent curling from the pressure of the screws while the 5200 cured. I taped off the area around it so the 5200 run off didn’t adhere where it wasn’t wanted. Then spread a liberal amount of 5200 on the transom, mounting holes already drilled. Then buttered the back of the HDPE and leveled with a cheap sheet metal, disposable trowel meant for ceramic tile. 1/8” ridges I believe. Put the two together with s reds already in the holes and waiting and tightened til I had a pretty even amount of 5200 oozing out around the edges. Took off some from the bottom side as it sagged to make life easier for the next step. Now forget about it for a couple of days and let it stiffen. Cut along the edge of the board down to the tape edge and peel off the tape, thus making clean up easy. Owned the boat for 8 years after I did that and it looked the same the day I sold it. Done right, it’s there and sealed forever.

Most epoxy products I’ve used are stiff compared to silicon e type products and fail at some point from impact or sunlight. Edges yellow and so on. HDPE and like products are funny about what they like to hold onto. I go with what I know and I’m sure that 5200 grabs and won’t let go without a fight. Good luck with the project.

Thank you Skeetbum. A member from Arkansas is sending me some PVC type cutting board and that's what I'll use. It's like 1" thick. As far as adhesive I have some Marine Epoxy, and some Marine weld type epoxy from JB Weld that says it works on Aluminum, Fiberglass, Metal, Plastic/Composite, Wood and more...So should hold these two together. Thank you for the info. Eric

PVC & HDPE look,feel and smell the same. They are not the same. One will last dry rot one will not. Just keep an eye on it.

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