Topic: Kayak + Hbird SI advice?

[bigkahuna]

I'm thinking about getting an Ocean Kayak Frenzy .  I hope to use it for both playing in the surf here on the coast and on calm days, use it as a platform for a HBird 798ci si to scan the flat waters of the sound and near coast line.  I noticed that several others are using their kayaks with their SI units so hopefully I can get some advice.

First, how fast do you typically travel when scanning?  The Frenzy is by no means a fast kayak so I'm a bit concerned that I may have a hard time keeping a straight, fast track.

Second, where ideally should the transducer be placed?  I was thinking about strapping it just beneath where my feet will be, just forward of where the paddle will enter the water.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

[sonar2000]

BigK.    Kayak fishing is great and you can certainly get to places often not accessible by normal boat.  Our Kayak (16.5 feet one person) has the transducer on a short shaft that attaches to the kayak just forward of the cockpit. It swings out of the way when not needed or for traveling. Speed is fine at 1/2 mph or less.  It is not hard to paddle that slow.     The kayak also has a rudder so that helps to keep the kayak in line. I  mounted the display just in front of the seat. Not permanent but on a piece of wood. This keeps it out of spray and somewhat shields it from glare.  Also easy to get to the push keys.
Let us know how you end up attaching.   Also we do fishing in the sound at the outerbanks.  HY12 below the Bonner bridge and south towards Rodanthe.     
Chuck

[bigkahuna]

Thanks Chuck.  I'm mostly interested in using the kayak for exercise, although I have a buddy in Hawaii that uses the exact same kayak for catching Ulua just outside the reefs there.  I'm an avid surfer / kitesurfer so I thought a kayak might be a good third sport for those days where I can't do the other two.  I figured if I'm going to be "mowing" tracks in the ocean or sound, I might as well be scanning the bottom at the same time.  My big concern was how slow I could go and still create a reasonable scan, but I should be able to keep up at least 1/2 mph! 

How ever I mount the transducer, it'll have to be temporary as I plan on using the kayak in the surf as well.  I was thinking about just using a tie-down strap to hold the bracket to the bottom.  Or maybe a small post mounted to the bow?  Another thought was to mount it through one of the drain holes, but the only drain holes are beneath the feet and seat, which might not work.

[sonar2000]

OK kayaking for exercise.   big muscle arms and a fat butt.     I can see this picture now.   
There are all sorts of ways to mount the transducer.  Temporary is the best and can be constructed with pvc pipe.  You will just need to sit down and get creative. Rubber suction cups, velcro will attach very well and at the slow speed is not moved around.
We try not to drill holes in the kayak but found a place directly in front of the cockpit to atta small bracket for the swinging tranducer mount.
Where are you in relation to Mayberry (Manteo)?  Never mind.  I remember.  MH city. 
Chuck

[bigkahuna]

Sorry I missed you for a chat.  There's the remains of a civil war era steam ship right off one of the beaches where I surf that I'd like to scan.  I know there isn't much of it left, but it would be nice to get an overall view of what it looks like.  Then there's lots of other wrecks in the area I'm hoping to find and explore.  I've got access to a ROV so if we find anything really interesting we can also take a closer look with it.

[sonar2000]

Keep in touch,  we might be in MH for a short vacation.  we always have the kayaks with us.  Looking for treasure is always fun. Kayak and HB should be fun and who knows, maybe a new  war wreck.   
Chuck