Humminbird 997Csi and Ranger Reata?

[angler53]

I really want to pull the trigger on a bird 997si for my Reata but I see problems with available space to mount it. I made myself a cardboard template and find that my suspicions are correct. Has anyone installed a 997 in an 1850? Where did you put it?

I could go with the 797si to replace the panel mount X52, but I already carry three pair of eye glasses so I want/need a big screen.

Another related question is I have a panel mount icom vhf. Would there be problems between the two if I put the icom where the X52 is now. That will have the vhf within inches under the 997.

[KHedquist]

RAM Mount worked for my 997SI on my Tuffy Osprey, it did not have allot of room.

[angler53]

RAM Mount worked for my 997SI on my Tuffy Osprey, it did not have allot of room.


Ok, I'll look...Thanks

[angler53]

:howdy:

Is there anyone with side imaging on an 1850 Reata?
I'm looking at the transom on this boat and question if an si transducer will even work. The only possibility I see is to mount the ducer on the bottom of the step, out to the side of the live well drain. The boat came with a thru-hull temp prob looking thru this step.
I guess the smart thing to do is call Humminbird or Ranger and ask.
I attended a Humminbird seminar at a ranger dealer last year with intentions to buy a 997. I ask the tech about the reata installation and he couldn't offer any definitive answers but said they were working with ranger to come up with a solution for some of their hulls.
If side imaging can't work on this hull, I sure would like to know it before buying it.
I read that on some boats you can't see in one direction due to obstruction caused by hull design, or without raising the motor. Without full capability of the unit I'll save the money on SI and get the 957 or 917.
I sure would like to hear from somebody that has been there, done that.

Thank you...

:popc1:

P.S. Dummy me, I see that a Thru-Hull Transducer is available for SI. Might be a $itch to install but it solves the issue.

[KHedquist]

Angler

I glassed a transducer puck inside the hull then mounted my SI transducer on the transom just a bit above the botttom of the boat. Yep Bird makes a kit for this.

[Grampa_Joe]

:howdy:

Is there anyone with side imaging on an 1850 Reata?
I'm looking at the transom on this boat and question if an si transducer will even work. The only possibility I see is to mount the ducer on the bottom of the step, out to the side of the live well drain. The boat came with a thru-hull temp prob looking thru this step.
I guess the smart thing to do is call Humminbird or Ranger and ask.
I attended a Humminbird seminar at a ranger dealer last year with intentions to buy a 997. I ask the tech about the reata installation and he couldn't offer any definitive answers but said they were working with ranger to come up with a solution for some of their hulls.
If side imaging can't work on this hull, I sure would like to know it before buying it.
I read that on some boats you can't see in one direction due to obstruction caused by hull design, or without raising the motor. Without full capability of the unit I'll save the money on SI and get the 957 or 917.
I sure would like to hear from somebody that has been there, done that.

Thank you...

:popc1:

P.S. Dummy me, I see that a Thru-Hull Transducer is available for SI. Might be a $itch to install but it solves the issue.

That through hull ducer works perfectly on a Ranger right above where your livewell intakes are on that flat surface; it's how Ranger now mounts them and how I was instructed by Humminbird to install them (already was). Be aware that you do need a second transducer mounted in-hull as the side imaging ducer will be out of the water on plane. You'll need either a tranducer switch box or I like a Y cable.
I've installed 900 series units on Reatta dashes, no problem with a mount.

Joe Carlson

[angler53]

Thank you, Joe.
That was just what I needed. You confirmed my thoughts.
Thank you, again.
Merry Christmas

[fishhunt3]

I was looking at my new 1850 in the garage last night trying to figure a place to install my si transducer for my 797. If I put it on the high part (step up) on the transom, I'm awful close to the motor. If I put it on the lower part of the transom, by the livewell drains, but off to the right side of them, where the hull comes up an inch or two, there will be a lot of the transducer hitting the water (the bottom of the transducer will be below the hull line, not in line with it.) This is due to the transducer mount being too tall and hits the bottom of the part of the hull that steps out toward the back.

Anyone have pictures of their si install on a ranger with the step out transom?

thanks!

[K Gonefishin]

Here's a pick from the Huron WC ge together for mounting ideas.

http://www.walleyecentral.com/Get_Togethers/2008/pages/100_0352.htm

http://www.walleyecentral.com/Get_Togethers/2008/pages/DSCN4399.htm

[acar555]

Check out the Yahoo Side Imaging group.

http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/sideimaging/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=1

There a lot of install pics of many different boats for the transducer. It should give you a pretty good idea of installation spots. You will need to sign up for a free account to view the photos.

[Chode2235]

Anyone installing the 900 series flush in the dash?

[Jason Halfen]

I run an 1197 on the console of my 1860 Angler, and have a transom-mount HDSI transducer. That little step in the transom is the perfect dimension for the HDSI ducer. No problems with space or performance whatsoever!

[Pezman38]

Here's a pick from the Huron WC ge together for mounting ideas.

http://www.walleyecentral.com/Get_Togethers/2008/pages/100_0352.htm

http://www.walleyecentral.com/Get_Togethers/2008/pages/DSCN4399.htm

K Gone,
Do you know who's boat that is in picture two?

I am pretty sure he/she added an auto bildge and I was curious on if it was a PITA and where/what parts they got to do it. We have the same boat so figured might be easier to just ask this owner.

Sorry to highjack the post a bit, you can PM me if needed.

[Chode2235]

I run an 1197 on the console of my 1860 Angler, and have a transom-mount HDSI transducer. That little step in the transom is the perfect dimension for the HDSI ducer. No problems with space or performance whatsoever!


Do you have any photos of how you mounted it on the step? Are you able to get readings while on plane, or are you running another shoot-thru transducer for that?

I am looking to get a 9xx SI for my reata, but am curious as to how to mount the ducer. It seems most people mount them to their jack plate (NA for me), or do an actual thru-hull SI ducer.

[Jason Halfen]

Will find a transducer pic. I only run the single HDSI transducer, and can get SI, DI, and 2D sonar readings over 40 mph.

[Jason Halfen]

Here's my transducer. It is mounted on a board on the port side of the boat, because my kicker is on the starboard side. A bit unconventional, but my sonar performance is still excellent.

[Chode2235]

Thanks Jason.

[SliderK2]

I wanted to share my DIY rigging. At first I wasn't sure the 997 was going to fit at the consel....but with assistance from WC folks and some dumpster diving I came up with the following.

The boat had the dash mount Garmin 240 from the factory. I had the 997 to mount from my previous Crestliner 1850 Sportfish.

I wanted to preserve the dash so I could return the 240 Garmin to it's original coniguration if I changed boats again.

Got a scrap piece of 1/4" aluminum plate from a dumpster (work), went to Fleet Farm (good selection of stainless fasteners) and came up with the following.

The silver glitter decal over the top came from a decal shop; same folks that do customer boat registration/letters.

The transducer mount idea was from a previous posting (thanks Jason).

Feel free to ask any questions and I'l try to help.

Thank you to everyone that contributes to WC and helps fellow fishermen and fisherwomen with their questions.

Mark :bigsmile:

[hondo]

Slider -- very cool idea for working with the hole from the in-dash Garmin mount. I've seen similar types of DIY rigging tried but I will honestly say that your rigging is as good as it can get for that situation. Well done IMO.

I also have a Reata. I have an HDS-8 on a short-arm RAM on the console, and a 5" in-dash unit I use for GPS. The HDS-8 dimensions are probably just as wides as the 900-series HB, but with a RAM you have a lot of options for tucking it into a tight space.

On my boat I have a skimmer style transducer mounted the same as the HB transducer in the preceeding pics. I also have the LSS-1 structurescan transducer, I have it mounted below the step but above the bottom of the hull. Works very well in that location and I like that it's above the bottom of the hull so it's protected, and not causing any spray-back issue, at high speeds.

I hope this helps, good luck with your mounting.

[Chode2235]

Thats awesome Mark, thanks for sharing.

I thought I was the only one with a 2005 Reata, and a Garmin 240.

:)

[K Gonefishin]

K Gone,
Do you know who's boat that is in picture two?

I am pretty sure he/she added an auto bildge and I was curious on if it was a PITA and where/what parts they got to do it. We have the same boat so figured might be easier to just ask this owner.

Sorry to highjack the post a bit, you can PM me if needed.

pm sent