Comfortable fishing on a modern vessel is impossible without high-quality navigation equipment. echoer It's long since gone luxury, and it's become the standard for seeing bottoms, shoals of fish and underwater obstacles in real time, but just buying a device is only half the battle, and the critical step is to integrate it properly into the cockpit space, which requires a reliable landing pad.
This is where the well-designed stage comes on. sounder-board Many water-engineers underestimate the importance of rigidity by relying on regular suction cups or temporary stops, which often leads to the fall of expensive electronics on pitch. In this article, we will discuss in detail the engineering nuances of creating a stationary or removable space for the device to eliminate risks and provide maximum visibility.
Highly executed fitting-ground It's a multi-pronged solution, which protects the screen from glare, allows you to manage your settings comfortably, and keeps the device from being hit on the side, and we'll look at options for different types of vessels, from lightweight PVC boats to heavy aluminum boats, and determine which materials are best suited for harsh water conditions.
Choosing the optimal place for installation of equipment
The first thing a boat owner faces is to find free space. ergonomics The angler's workplace has a direct impact on fatigue and efficiency, and the device should be in line of sight, but not in the control area. boat-engine Often the ideal place is a squirrel board or a specially designated area on the can (seat).
It is important to consider not only the horizontal plane, but also the height of the installation. The screen should be positioned so that it does not fall on direct sunlight, creating glare, and that it does not fly spray when moving against the wave. Vibration. - another enemy of electronics, so the mounting place should be as rigid and damped as possible.
⚠️ Warning: Never place the sonar directly above the battery or in niches where water can accumulate, and even the minimal humidity inside the device can disable the board in one season.
When planning your location, consider the length of the cables. Standard wires of sensors and head devices are often 5-7 meters long. If you move the table too far from the transom, you will have to buy extension cords, which can adversely affect signal quality, especially for sonar technologies. DownVision or SideVision.
Materials for the manufacture of a sustainable design
The choice of material to build the base for the device is dictated by the operating conditions. corrosion For metal boats and boats, the ideal solution is stainless steel grade AISI 304 or AISI 316, which withstand constant contact with salt water and do not rust for years.
For light inflatable boats and kayaks, the weight of the structure is crucial. aviation Aluminum is lightweight, but it requires high-quality anodizing, otherwise it will become coated with an oxide film and oxidize, staining the fisherman's clothes and hands.
- 🛡️ Stainless steel: Maximum strength, high weight, ideal for stationary tables on boats.
- ✈️ Aluminum: Lightness, medium strength, requires protection against galvanic corrosion in contact with other metals.
- 🌲 Sea plywood: A budget option, lacquered or epoxy, easy to process but afraid of chipping and prolonged moisture.
- 🧱 Plastic (DND/ABS): It does not rot, does not rust, but can be deformed by the sun and vibrations.
If you make a sonar table yourself from wood, use only moisture-resistant grades of plywood with a thickness of at least 12-15 mm. The coating should be multi-layered: impregnation with an antiseptic, then several layers of yacht lacquer or epoxy resin. Wood-polymer composite (DPC) also performs well because it is afraid of water, but it is harder to handle at home.
Use silicone or rubber pads between the metal bracket and the boat hull, which will prevent creaking when vibrating and protect the paintwork of the vessel from scratches.
Types of fastenings: fixed and rotary systems
The design of the mount determines usability. stationary It's a rigid platform, fixed by bolts or screws, and it's a reliable solution, but it limits maneuverability: you can't quickly deploy it to you or remove it if it interferes.
A more advanced version. tilt-bracketThese systems allow you to rotate the device 360 degrees or tilt the screen at the right angle, which is especially true when there are several people in the boat and everyone wants to look at the screen, or when you need to hide the device from the sun, the rotation mechanism is usually based on hinges or friction couplings.
| Type of attachment | Difficulty of installation | Mobility | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stationary shelf | Low. | Missing. | Maximum |
| Turning bracket | Medium | High. | High. |
| Removable stop (on suction cups) | Minimum | Maximum | Low. |
| Rail system | High. | Medium | High. |
For those who like to change the location of fishing or use different boats, it is a great solution. fittingIt can be attached to switches or special adapters that stay on the boat while the table itself is carried in a case, which reduces the risk of stealing expensive electronics when the boat is left on shore unattended.
Secrets of hinge joints
To make a reliable turning mechanism at home, you can use ready-made door hinges or furniture hinges with a locker. The main thing is to use stainless fasteners and regularly lubricate rubbing parts with silicone grease that is not washed away with water.
Instructions: Assembly of the table for sonar yourself
Creating your own installation space is a creative process, but it requires precision, and first of all, you need to take measurements from your particular instrument and boat. Drawing Draw a sketch that shows the mounting points, viewing angles and location of the cable channels.
The assembly process for a marine plywood or composite variant is as follows: first, the base is cut down to the size of the device with a margin of 2-3 cm on each side, then holes are drilled into it for the fastening bolts of the sonar itself and for attaching the entire structure to the boat.
☑️ Assembly plan
Pay special attention to the organization of wires. Cable-channels or corrugated tubes should be laid so as to prevent rubbing on the edge of the table or inflections. seal silicone sealant or special oils.
⚠️ Note: When drilling holes in the bottom of the boat or transom, use only metal drills with a low sharpening angle and be sure to put the boat on wooden bars so as not to damage the opposite side when the drill exits.
The final step is painting and installing a slip coating, and a rubber mat glued to the table surface will not only improve the look, but also prevent the device from slipping if the fasteners are weakened by vibration, a simple but effective safety measure.
Protecting electronics from moisture and mechanical damage
Even the most durable table will not save the device, if you do not take care of additional protection. Waterproofing In addition to sealing the entry points of the wires, it is recommended to use special protective visors (blends) for the screen, which not only save from the rain, but also improve the readability of the image in sunny weather.
Mechanical protection involves the presence of beams or latching belts. When a sharp maneuver or hit the wave, an additional device that is not attached can fly out of the seat, even if it is screwed with bolts (bolts can cut the thread in the plastic of the body). tether It is a mandatory rule for open water.
- 💧 Silicone cases: Protect against splashes and scratches, retain access to the buttons.
- 🌞 Anti-reflective films: Increase the contrast of the image and protect the matrix.
- 🔒 Removable locks: Allows you to quickly dismantle the head unit, leaving the mount on the boat.
Don't forget winter storage. Plastic becomes brittle in the cold, and moisture residue inside can expand and destroy the case. Remove the device, wipe dry rags and store at room temperature. condensate - a hidden enemy that can appear at a sharp temperature drop, if you put a cold device in the heat.
Complex sonar protection consists of three factors: rigid fastening, tightness of cable inputs and use of protective visors from sun and rain.
Maintenance and maintenance of the installation system
Regular maintenance extends the life of not only the sounder itself, but also the structure on which it is installed. After every fishing, especially in salt water, you need to rinse all the metal elements with fresh water. corrosionIt can also cause a snag of turning mechanisms.
Once a season, check the tightening of all bolt joints. Motor vibration and wave strikes gradually weaken the fastener. Use a thread lock (anaerobic sealant) for screws that you don't plan to unscrew often. For moving parts, apply silicone-based lubricants that don't break down plastic and rubber.
Visual inspection of cables is also a must, and look for signs of insulation rubbing, especially in the exit of the device body or passing through holes in the table, and a damaged wire can cause the entire onboard network to short-circuit and fail.
How to clean the sounder screen if it is dimmed?
Use only soft microfiber and special means to clean the optics or screens. Under no circumstances use alcohol, acetone or aggressive household chemicals - they can dissolve the anti-reflective coating. For persistent contaminants, slightly moisten the fabric with distilled water.
Can I use a sounder table to mount the tablet?
Yes, many anglers use tablets as extra displays, and this requires a standard V-shaped holder (like a car) to be installed on the table, and the key is to ensure that the tablets are more secure, because they are lighter and can vibrate more strongly, which makes readability worse.
What is the maximum weight of a standard rotary bracket?
Most high-quality metal brackets are designed to carry loads of up to 5-7 kg, which in turn covers the weight of any fishing echoer, but when installing heavy industrial appliances or additional monitors, you need to check the specification of the particular bracket model.
Should I take a sonar for the winter with a table?
The table, if it is made of stainless steel or a well-treated composite, can be left on the boat, having previously dismantled the head unit and closed the holes with plugs. Wooden structures are better placed in a warm dry room.
Does the material of the table affect the work of sonar?
The material of the table (plastic, metal, wood) does not affect the work of the emitter, since the sensor itself is attached to the transom or bottom separately. However, a metal table in the vicinity of the sensor can cause slight interference, so it is recommended to maintain a distance of at least 20-30 cm between the metal structure and the emitter.