Garmin install on NuCanoe Frontier 12

First fishfinder I ever had on a kayak was 3 years ago I had the Lowrance Hook2 SplitShot 5" model. It worked OK, and I learned to use a sonar to find/target fish on it. After a year or so, I sold it and replaced it with a Garmin Echomap Plus 93sv chartplotter. These were on a black-Friday blowout for $599 with cv52 transducer, 2D/dv/sv, and I was thinking about maybe adding Livescope in the future. I originally bought the Garmin for my Alweld CC "big" boat, to run Livescope. I later upgraded to far-superior pixel-count 10" Ultra EM, with a 'bird Mega+ SI Helix 9 G3N at the console. I sold the Echomap Plus a few months ago (needed the money for a new JDM rod LOL). Now I had the big Alweld fixed up, but nothing on the NuCanoe.

I love using the Livescope. I want it on the kayak, too! It has been a game changer for me. I fish some small lakes and electric-only places where the big boat cannot go, and I really miss not having this useful tool on the kayak.

I decided to go with a 9" again on the kayak, and bought a new Garmin UHD 93sv model, with the GT54UHD transducer. (The 102sv was too big and heavy). While not quite as good side imaging as my Mega+ 'bird Helix 9 on the big boat, it is still quite useful, and will run the Livescope. I have a small Duracell 9 AH battery that will run it just fine. Later when I move my Livescope over between boats, I'll go to a bigger battery, since the GLS10 black box is a power hog. I'll have to build a new mount for the PLS transducer, so I am working on that.

I have Scotty mount for the regular transducer, but it would not mount the LVS32. I explored youtube, and found a mount titled "$25 Livescope mount" and copied that, since I already had some RAM parts.

Here are some pics:
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First day, just using the GT54UHD on the Scotty transducer mount I already had.
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Scotty up so I could use anchor trolley. The anchor trolley will have to be moved to other side. Maybe.
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In active position for 2D/dv/sv
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close-up of base and Scotty mount.
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I used a Ram "C" size ball mount, with medium long arm and a universal fishfinder mount, on a track. I found some toilet bolts (LOL) that fit the track, drilled 2 holes in the RAM ball base, put a piece of rubber foam I had laying around, and that is how I attached the base to the track. It is stronger than the one they make for track. Plus, I already had it.


Battery is not shown, but goes in the front hatch. I used Anderson Power Pole connectors so I can un-snap the battery and bring it inside to charge it.

The Scotty transducer mount shown above is useless for Livescope, and I never liked it much - it is not streamlined and seems to make a lot of noise trolling along. I don't even really need the other transducer as once you go Livescope, you don't use the other modes much, if at all.

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Anothe view of head mount
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Powerpole connector. I later changed to an ATM type fuse.
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So I used the youtube design and made a rotate-able Livescope mount, out of PVC. It works, but is not optimum. It drags in the water because I have the PLS transducer on a Summit Perspective mount, and that sticks out on one side of the tube and drags when I crank my TM over half-throttle. Also it turns too easy, and needs a friction thunb-screw. Or something. I did go out and catch some fish with it.
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I used a Sealtite gland nut (from mouser.com), that has a split bushing for 2 cables and is completely waterproof, to run the head power and network cable to the front hatch thru the hull. This keeps these cables out of my way. The thick Livescope cable to the transducer/arm will be just hooked up thru the front hatch, so I can move the PLS between my Alweld "big" boat and the kayak. The battery and GLS10 ride in the front hatch, and I coil the excess LVS32 transducer cable under there so I don't get tangled. Works pretty well, and the cable does not chafe. It is expensive, so you need to take care of it.

I used a 35Ah mobility battery, and after 9 hours, it was only down to 12.1 V.
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Gland nut for power and network:
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hatch closed
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open (batt and GLS10 module in there)
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Last post: the RAM clamp arm is a little of a hassle to adjust, you need both hands. When you crank up the trolling motor, it will move unless the wing-nut is REALLY tight. I want something I can literally move between big boat and kayak, but this will do for now, since I am targeting panfish/crappie heavily with the kayak right now, as the big lake is like 4th of July with too many boaters screwing up the fishing. Electric-only waters and rivers are my escape, and provide better fishing for my target species. I'll figure something better out later. It is time for the bream/shellcrackers to go on bed.

NOTE: There is a lot of controversy and discontent among the Garmin user community regarding Livescope image quality vs. software version. I am NOT going to discuss this here, so DON'T even bring it up. It is what it is, and will only get better (I hope).

Great DIY write up! Lots of good information included. Thanks for sharing!

Nice post,enjoyed the pics,I’m a bit partial though,I to own and fish from a nucanoe frontier,so any mods and DIY set ups are pure eye candy for me.

Nice job

Found some crappie with the PLS today. Caught around 30, kept 4 fatties like this one. Caught with my own "gray ghost" hand-tie:
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Quote:

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Originally Posted by jawjatek

Found some crappie with the PLS today. Caught around 30, kept 4 fatties like this one. Caught with my own "gray ghost" hand-tie:
Attachment 374736

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Hey, Loved the post, we are considering doing similar. Do you have any pics of the livescope on the Alweld? And how do you manage the cables boxes transducer moving boat to boat. Thanks

That is one sweet rig!


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