I think the idea of mounting the entire ff system in the drive plug (cassette?) is very doable and not a bad idea (especially for the tandem). If you went through the top, you could stick the transducer to the bottom, put a battery on top of it (especially AA’s), and rebuild the top to seal it and mount the head. That’d make a totally autonomous, plug-in system. Sweeet! (Yall listening Matt?)
I think my only question is could you see the screen and reach it to manipulate it? I’m big on trying the things you are going to mount in the boat on the water. It’s a real drag when you have done a really sanitary installation only to find that you bark your knuckles on it on each stroke. Less of a problem pedaling, but you get the idea. I initially mounted my ff in one of the two flush mounts on the deck. Then I decided that I wanted to use the other rod holder for a downrigger. Also the ff was getting splashed more than necessary in big water (Yeah, its waterproof, but why push it?) and it was slightly out of reach. So I mounted it in the center hatch and I can’t see why I’d have ever put it anywhere else. I posted a few pics of my mount here a couple of days ago. I’d be happy to share any other details if you’re interested.
http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=6484&start=15&sid=da0cbeb0d076b7106165b27f3bdaf341
If you do decide to mount it in the boat, Goop works great to stick the transducer down. Mine has been stuck to my Cobra XL for 10 years and counting (why yes, as a matter of fact I am the first to post the use of goop for transducers
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But I tried something different with this one. No glue at all! I got the idea from the KFS boards. I cut a divot in a bit of pool noodle and jammed it under the seat. Initially I was just testing it out. But it worked so well that I left it.
I’ve used a number of different ff’s in various boats. All of them see the bottom just fine which is what I’m most interested in (actually changes in the bottom). My latest is a Lowrance M-56 and it’s my favorite. Its their bottom of the line gps/ff and is about par with everybody else’s. BUT its very basic mapping software includes tides and currents from all of the tide stations in the US. I couldn’t find a unit that did that for less than $500. I got it for $160.
The M56 is also the most sensitive ff I’ve had. It’s the first one I could see my bait on the screen and its great for setting the downrigger. It might get even better if I put a bit of Vaseline under the transducer to improve the couple to the hull. The temp reads about a degree higher than the water like YB said.
BTW, how does the tandem handle solo?