Have 2 Boats want 1 Fish Finder (help)

[Jae]

I have 2 boats and I'm looking to purchase a fish finder that I can swap back and forth. My first boat is a 24' pontoon and my other is a 14' Alum. I origanaly was looking at the Hummingbird Fishing Buddy but decided against that because it is only good for trolling speeds. So then I was looking at the portable models and I see that most come with a suction cup transducer. Again these are only good for trolling speeds. I'm also not sure if the transducers in the portable models are hard wired in or if they can be unplugged? Basically what I'm looking for is one fish finder unit and (2) fixed transducers so that I can use the fish finder at crusing speeds. Neither boat goes over 30 mph. lol I'm looking to spend $150 - $300 for one. I'm really only interested in one that shows depth, bottom surface and fish. I'm not interested in one with a lot of bells and whisles. If anyone could suggest something that allows me to transfer between the two boats... allows me to plug into a fixed transducer... and is around this price I would greatly appreciate it. Any addition advice would be great.

thanks in advance.

 

[timdan94]

Re: Have 2 Boats want 1 Fish Finder (help)

why not buy one unit and two power cables, two transducers, and two bases so all you have to do is move the unit itself?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Have 2 Boats want 1 Fish Finder (help)

Jae, You will obviously need to permanently install a transducer on each boat. The good news is that you can buy transducers for $35 or so. Find a FF display that fits a simple U mount, like on a VHF radio, and see if you can get a spare mount. Now you just need to buy a power cord for each boat, and that should work for you. you will need to unplug the display from transducer and power, loosen the mount screws and move the display to the other boat.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Have 2 Boats want 1 Fish Finder (help)

I have 2 boats and I'm looking to purchase a fish finder that I can swap back and forth. My first boat is a 24' pontoon and my other is a 14' Alum. I origanaly was looking at the Hummingbird Fishing Buddy but decided against that because it is only good for trolling speeds. So then I was looking at the portable models and I see that most come with a suction cup transducer. Again these are only good for trolling speeds. I'm also not sure if the transducers in the portable models are hard wired in or if they can be unplugged? Basically what I'm looking for is one fish finder unit and (2) fixed transducers so that I can use the fish finder at crusing speeds. Neither boat goes over 30 mph. lol I'm looking to spend $150 - $300 for one. I'm really only interested in one that shows depth, bottom surface and fish. I'm not interested in one with a lot of bells and whisles. If anyone could suggest something that allows me to transfer between the two boats... allows me to plug into a fixed transducer... and is around this price I would greatly appreciate it. Any addition advice would be great.

thanks in advance.

Don't be so sure...!

I have an Eagle Cuda 128...and added the optional suction cup mount. I use the depth/fish finder on two different boats, and on my PWC. It functions perfectly...even up to the speed (GPS) of 43 mph. It has (so far) always remained exactly where I put it, although it has a tether line in case it were to come loose.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Have 2 Boats want 1 Fish Finder (help)

Having to run the transducer wire from the suction cup mount to the console and having it laying about in the boat is not worth the annoyance. Buy a second transducer, power cord and swivel mount and be done with it. You don't need a 300 buck locator either. Humminbird and Lowrance/Eagle both have gray scale units well under that.

 

[John_S]

Re: Have 2 Boats want 1 Fish Finder (help)

Most HB units come with a tilt-swivel mount, with removable head unit. For the 2nd set-up you will need a mount, power cord, transducer, and a connector cover. About $100 for a simple 2d set-up.

With an Eagle/Lowrance, two Johnny Ray bases, one top, power cord, and transducer. Swapping will require a little more work than HB, but still easy with one or two plug removal from back, and push button on JR base. Price is close to the same.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Have 2 Boats want 1 Fish Finder (help)

i have a hummingbird Piranha 20, that i swap with 3 boats, just bought extra transducers, power cord, and mounts. also did my VHF the same way. all i do is move the base units.

 

[Jae]

Re: Have 2 Boats want 1 Fish Finder (help)

I just wanted to thank everyone for there input. From what everyone is saying it is pretty obvious what I should and will do. This site is great for beginners like myself. I think I'll spend part of my work day (shh) looking for a decent unit and put together all the things I will need. If I come up with more questions I will be back. thanks again.