Fish-Hawk.Net

hello guys/gals,
just got a Lowrance X67C(small screen color)as a present,looks great and the specs on the booklet sound good.have only used a basic B&W portable unit in the past so this is a big jump for me.haven't installed it on the boat yet,any of you own or used this unit before?what do you think of performence of it?also very nervous about drilling holes in my new aluminum boat,can it be installed witout drilling the holes?ie brackets etc.
if I drill and seal the scews and holes with marine grade adhesive how long before it will wear out and start leaking again?forgive me for asking so many silly questions but any advice is most appriciated.
thank you.

Hi!
I was in the same boat where I did not want to drill holes into my aluminum boat and use marine caulking, even though others have. What I did with my Eagle Ultra fishfinder is went to Canadian Tire and asked staff if they have any fishfinder odds and ends lying around (having worked in Canadian Tire before, I knew that often they keep parts of fishing reels etc where people have returned. Got an old bracket for an eagle portable transducer, replaced the suction cup on it (again from Canadian Tire ) and siliconed the suction cup to the boat. I have had this set up on my boat since 1992 and it is still on!! Not the only solution, but an option!

Hi Fisher:

Another option. I have used a Tite-Lok 5D698 portable transducer holder (see http://www.titelok.com/transducer%20holders.htm) for years now. I went with this option because I use outfitter provided boats and motors frequently. I required portability and I didn't want to use a suction cup holder.
It also removes the requirement to drill any holes in your boat.

Hey fisher, I used an X 67C last year and liked it a lot. The color separation makes it real easy to define what you are seeing on the screen and once you get used to interpreting the information the fishing is easy. I suggest that you get comfortable with the manual settings as quick as you are can. Setting the unit to your "preferences" with the manual functions gets the most out of the unit.

As far as drilling holes in your boat, don't worry - the majority of transducer installations are permanent for a reason, and the best argument "for" is the ability to read the unit at speed.

Like Tomcat and a few others I also use a portable while in the bush and my preferred mounting unit is also the tite-lock product but the units on my boat are mounted permanently.

Hey Fisher, I got the Ice Machine version of the X67C and I have to say it's worked very well on the ice, esp. with the flasher option.
I still haven't tried it out on the softwater yet, as I was debating what type of transducer to get for it.
I was geared toward the portable suction cup ones, but after reviewing the titelok, it looks a better way to go for now, as I don't own a boat.
I'm new with fish finders, and if you guys don't mind, what kind of transducers would be a better choice? Transom mount or Trolling-motor mount for the titelok?

Tomcat, I know you got the titelok some time ago, but how much was it?

Any advice woudl be appreciated.

VB

I have one on the front of the boat with the trolling motor. The unit is terriffic your gonna love this sonar. The color is outstanding, regardless of sunlight conditions. You will be able to view the sonar without any trouble. I agree with McQ, read your owners manual to personize the sonar to fit your needs. These Lowrance units have so many quality features you may never use them all, but their there if you decide to use them. You didn't mention the size of outboard on your boat ? The Tite-Lok bracket works really well on lower horsepower engines but anything over a forty horse may be to powerful to keep the transducer in the water when your on plane. The Tite-Lok mounting bracket requires and additional mounting piece for the transducer. I believe the # is 607 or 609. If that is not the solution mounting the x-ducer on the transom with stainless steel screws may seem like cutting your right arm off, but done right it is the best way of mounting the x-ducer. If this is the route your going to go READ the x-ducer mounting instructions throughly. Placement of the x-ducer on the transom is critical in obtaining maximum performance from your sonar. You should be able to drive your boat at maximum speed and still maintain bottom contact. These x-ducer's perform at speeds to 70 mph. So many angler's go out and purchase these sonar's and then mount the x-ducer in a spot that looks ok but never achieve anywhere near the performance the unit can give them. Good luck and enjoy Glenn

Visorboy:

Can't remember the price I paid. However, LeBaron's 2004 catalogue lists the 5D698 for $42. I also purchased the "Big C Mount" (seen in LBs catalogue - model 5605) so that I could have maximum transom clearance (2.25 inches). You'll also need to buy a bracket to attach your tranducer to the transducer holder rod. Best thing to do is measure the width of your transducer neck before you buy any bracket (probably best to take your transducer with you). To see the bracket I have, go to http://www.lowrance.com/Accessories/default.asp Then select 192 kHz transducer 20 degree and then select X-85 and then go. The page you'll get shows my transducer (HS-WSBK) and the actual bracket I used to mount the transducer on the holder rod. Since you are near Toronto, you might take a look at http://www.captgarys.com/catalog/index.php (a Michigan supplier). I am not connected in any way to LBs or Capt Garys.

Both McQ and Glenn made good points about the downside of these tite-lok holders in that they can not keep the transducer in the water at speed (not even with a 15 HP in my experience). However, for what I wanted, the tite-lok transducer holder was a cost effective and satisfying solution.

Thanks everyone for responding,
took a long and hard look at my boat's transom today here is what I see,
4-large motor mounting bolts.
1-live well water intake.
4-holes for transom ties("U"shape eye bolts 2holes each)
4-large scews for internal transom supports.
1-bait well drain(above water line).
1-drain plug hole.
all in all 15 lage holes sealed with chalking around them and if it doesn't rain I dont get any water in the boat.
the point I am trying to make is that if I do it right the 2 smallest holes I am going to drill should'nt do any damage to the boat.I also red the instructions 10 times already,if I follow the instrucions and as the old carpenter's rule massure twice(in my case 4 times)and drill once I should do ok.
some great ideas from you like the tite lock bracket,I use that on my portable but in this case the top speed on my boat is 47mph so I would like to have a permanant mount,and would like to read it at crusing speeds.
suction cup with silicone is also a good idea but after seeing so many holes already in the transom I am going for a permanant mount,
still nervous but less then before.
is everybody like this with brand new a boat or am I just too chicken?

Hey fisher, I have just gone through the same game as you. I used the transducer rod for 5 years, I now have some paint missing from the transom due to the clamp and was getting tired of bringing it in and putting it out - I have a 60 merc and the rod, though it is the strong one, is not up to the water force. This weekend I bit the bullet and installed the transducer onto the transom as it was designed for. Wow, full speed and no problems. We're talking very small holes here, it is unlikely to get a leak if you use a good marine grade sealant.

Hey Fisher

Your not alone...I coulden't bring my self to drill a hole in my new boat....so i got My brother(Topwater) to do it ...that way if i have any problems....it's his fault ...it will get easyer after the first one

Hey Fisher

Your not alone...I coulden't bring my self to drill a hole in my new boat....so i got My brother(Topwater) to do it ...that way if i have any problems....it's his fault ...it will get easyer after the first one