What fish finder

taurangajet · taurangajet on Thu Oct 16 2008, 22:34

Ok, I'm looking for a fish finder to mount in the cup holder on a Yamaha FX Crusier. I'm leaning towards the Humminbird 363 with GPS as its a small unit, has a quick fit connector (no wires to rust) and provides me with GPS, maps and fish finding. Anyone got any experience with this unit or any other recommendations?? Do I need GPS??

Jetskifishing · Jetskifishing on Fri Oct 17 2008, 10:05

Hi Julian, as most will know I run a Raymarine A60 GPS/Finder our 2008 Yamaha SHO. The things you need to keep in mind are size, to suit the ski, and how well the plugs are sealed, as you will get salt water over the front of the ski at times. GPS is agreat feature, especially when at an unfamiliar area, as the mapping will help determine some potential fishing spots. The Raymarine is an awesome unit, I am learning more of it capabilities each trip, just will come down to budget, as you get what you pay for and the A60 is a high end product for a PWC. I am not sure exactly with the Humminbird product, I am sure someone on here will offer you some feedback. On our old ski we used a Garmin depth sounder, which worked really well for the purpose and coped with a lot of water, yet it wasn't a GPS model.
P.S. Make sure you keep in mind a bracket in the drinks holder, as it is nice to keep the ski as factory as possible without adding visable screw holes.

Aka Hooter · Aka Hooter on Sat Oct 18 2008, 21:03

Hi Julian sorry I didn't see your question under this thread I am still learning to navigate the site, I posted some Humminbird Sounder/Gps photos under your other question relating to what type of jet ski. Incidentally the answer to that question is definitely the Yamaha in all the 3 seat-er version they are more buoyant in the stern which is a big help when you are fishing with most of the weight aft. One of our crew has a Seadoo and it is noticeably less stable particularly when the box is full of fish.

Cheers Ian

Aka Hooter · Aka Hooter on Sun Oct 19 2008, 13:37

One of our crew has a large Furuno GPS-Sounder & course plotter He made a removable windscreen like you sometimes see on classic motorcycles. It looks a bit ugly but is extremely practical and is easily removed from the ski when he is not fishing.

taurangajet · taurangajet on Sun Oct 19 2008, 18:05

That's some serious fish finding you guys have got going. I guess I'm looking for something a bit smaller with GPS hence the Humminbird 363. I'll see how it goes at the dealers on Tuesday.

The screens a good idea, might even stop that rogue wave that always manages to get you when motoring out. I don't mind getting wet but sometimes, when it a bit cold and early in the morning I could do without the impromptu shower the ocean seems to throw up!!!

taurangajet · taurangajet on Sun Oct 19 2008, 18:11

Hi Hooter,

Thanks for the info on the 383C (sorry read your early note and replied before checking out your notes on 'what jetski'). The Humminbird unit looks like its the perfect size for a jet ski. I was going for the black and white to keep the cost down a bit, NZ$880 but, I'd prefer the colour screen. However, it'll be over NZ$1000 here!!

How did you get on sourcing the maps for an import from the local dealers? FRom my understanding, you need the right map for your area? I've seen some great deals on these in the US but just concerned about dealer support and getting the maps.

Thanks

Julian

Aka Hooter · Aka Hooter on Mon Oct 20 2008, 13:00

Hi Julian
The guys at the dealers here in Australia told me the same things don't have the maps no warranty etc but I took a punt and bought one on Ebay from a dealer in America I got delivered to my door inside of 5 days and it had all the Aussie coastline displayed ,works no problem and was less than half price including freight. The only difference is its depth in feet not meters on the sounder. Remember the small models really only have the coastline showing they don't have detailed maps like in the larger course plotter type sounders the good thing is it doesn't need a separate antenna for the gps like the larger ones do.

Cheers Ian

taurangajet · taurangajet on Mon Oct 20 2008, 16:18

Hi Hooter,

Thats a massive $580 saving over buying it in NZ, even at the current exchange rate!!!! No issues getting the colour finder with GPS at that price. My only issue is whether any of the local companies will fit it if it's an import. Anybody know how the local marine shops in NZ view fish finder imports?

Aka Hooter · Aka Hooter on Mon Oct 20 2008, 20:19

Hi Julian
It really isn't that hard to fit all you have to do is buy some alloy or stainless steel angle to make a mounting bracket for the dash put an inline fuse holder for the positive lead and connect it directly to the positive battery terminal the same with the negative straight on to the battery terminal and mount the hinged transducer bracket onto the transom as per the photos i posted previously. You do have to drill a hole above the waterline in the transom for the plug to pass through then fill it up with silicone sealer all up takes about two hours to fit.

Cheers Ian

Aka Hooter · Aka Hooter on Mon Oct 20 2008, 20:48

taurangajet · taurangajet on Mon Oct 20 2008, 21:59

Hi Ian,

Thanks for the advise on mounting the unit, I'll have a think about it and I may give it a go although I'm not keen on drilling holes in a nearly new Jetski affraid

. I'm still trying to source the unit at the moment and my first enquiry on ebay got a 'no' for NZ maps but will keep trying.

Cheers

Julian

Jetskifishing · Jetskifishing on Mon Oct 20 2008, 22:13

To Julian, I will post an image of the bracket I have for my transducer, no screwing to your ski and you will get the optimum performannce being externally mounted.
I don't think you need to pay someone to install your finder, if you are semi mechanically minded. The cable does not need to be drilled through the hull if you are using the "Ultimate Rod Holder" unless you are really maticulate like myself and have to have it A1 for shows and magazines. The cable if OK with you can run under trhe rod holder frame and into the rear storage unit, I think you would be satisfied then there is no holes drilled, you just need to purchased bracketry that fits to the rear boarding platform mounts. Your holder is leaving tomorrow afternoon. Very Happy

taurangajet · taurangajet on Mon Oct 20 2008, 22:27

Hi Guys, Thanks for all the help with the fish finder, I'm e-mailing a site in the US tonight and if they can get me a humminbird with the right maps I'll post their details on here.

Jetskifishing · Jetskifishing on Tue Oct 21 2008, 20:53

Julian,here is the bracket on my SHO which requires no extra screwing to your ski and you can fit yourself

wayne comer · wayne comer on Sun Nov 02 2008, 08:59

Hi mate
Just thought I would put in my 2cent's worth Matz gear (in Tauranga) do a good one and the sounder goes inside the hull so no drilling!
Dont know how much but be worth a look. Very Happy

What fish finder

What fish finder

Re: What fish finder

Re: What fish finder

Removable windscreen to protect electronics and driver from salt spray

Serious stuff

Thanks for the info

Humminbird 383 sounder and GPS

Humminbird 383c NZ$580 saving!!!!!!!

Humminbird 383 mounting

Humminbird mounting photos

Fishfinder Mounting

Re: What fish finder

Thanks for all the advice

Custom Stainless Bracket

fish finders