Is Epoxy better than Goop for transducer mount? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

aguachico · 03-02-2008, 04:28 PM

Marine goop has UV inhibitors.

DOn't use GOOP.

3M 4200 is the the way to go other than mounting outside the yak.

After using goop, 4200, water bags and everyother method I can think of, the transducer should be mounted outside a yak for optimal clarity.

bluesquids · 03-03-2008, 11:06 AM

[quote=aguachico;21494]Marine goop has UV inhibitors.

quote]
Is UV inhibitor a bad thing?
I thought 5200 was standard for thru hull applications.
It seems very flexible. Have not tried 4200 yet because it says
it's less adherent than 5200.
Heard that the kaya tank installs are using Goop now.
I think prep is most important anyway you decide to go.

dgax65 · 03-03-2008, 12:46 PM

[quote=bluesquids;21527]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aguachico

Marine goop has UV inhibitors.

quote]
Is UV inhibitor a bad thing?
I thought 5200 was standard for thru hull applications.
It seems very flexible. Have not tried 4200 yet because it says
it's less adherent than 5200.
Heard that the kaya tank installs are using Goop now.
I think prep is most important anyway you decide to go.

I'll agree with that. I've used 3M 5200 (regular and quick cure), Marine Goop and Sikaflex. While I have had mixed results with the sonar performance, all have adhered well to the hull. The key is to rough up the hull first. I really had to struggle to get a couple of the transducers off.

Marine Goop works well but you have to take precautions to prevent bubbles from forming under the transducer. Have everything ready to go before you apply the Goop. Level the hull so the transducer won't move. The key is to put the transducer down in one smooth motion. You don't want to disturb it once it is in place. Every movement seems to create more bubbles.

I've found that a thin layer works best. I just put down enough Goop to seat the entire transducer surface. After it cures for a while I go back and put a little more Goop down. When I apply the second layer I put Goop on the top edge of the transducer and let it run down the sides to contact the first layer. I think this holds the transducer in place better. Some people rough the surface of the transducer for better adhesion. I would rather cover the top than rough the transducer face.

aguachico · 03-03-2008, 01:39 PM

[quote=bluesquids;21527]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aguachico

Marine goop has UV inhibitors.

quote]
Is UV inhibitor a bad thing?
I thought 5200 was standard for thru hull applications.
It seems very flexible. Have not tried 4200 yet because it says
it's less adherent than 5200.
Heard that the kaya tank installs are using Goop now.
I think prep is most important anyway you decide to go.

UV not sure if good or bad - can't hurt I guess.
5200 is the standard for thru hull, this isn't thru hull.

4200 is a personal preference for tranducers. I still use goop around rod holders and my old kayaktank.

bluesquids · 03-04-2008, 11:24 AM

[quote=aguachico;21536]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesquids

this isn't thru hull.

I was just thinking about general adhesion properties.
I just finished some reinforcements to the inside of a hull.
After the plastic weld to a crack I used goop on some strap webbing like a band aide. Gonna glue another plastic stint over that.
I went with goop mostly because it's seems not as messy when poking around inside the hull.
Tip- if you need to do a small reinforcement like a rivet or something, in a hard to reach area. Put a glob of goop on a square of sandwich baggie plastic and stick it where you want. It wont run all over the place and you just slap it up...no mess.

Grego · 07-09-2008, 01:51 PM

I heard if you mix 4200, 5200, 5200 fast cure, epoxy, marine goop, plumbers goop, vaseline, RTV silicone, and add a little water with a sprinkle of foam you get the bestest reading and bond.

One Rev · 07-09-2008, 02:36 PM

Hot glue works great for me.

Mike

bajadog · 07-10-2008, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grego

I heard if you mix 4200, 5200, 5200 fast cure, epoxy, marine goop, plumbers goop, vaseline, RTV silicone, and add a little water with a sprinkle of foam you get the bestest reading and bond.

You forgot mucus.

Kevin · 07-10-2008, 06:54 AM

I've used both marine goop and two part epoxy. By far two part epoxy gives you a better picture. Its not even close. The key is how you install it. Marine goop is just too soft and dampens the sonar quite a bit.

Get some adhesive putty and create a well for the epoxy. The epoxy will cure thinner and get brittle if it is allowed to spread out. Creating the well gives you a thicker section. I'm sure there are a lot of other brands but I've used ACE two part epoxy for plastic and it works perfectly. No oil canning and I've never had the transducer pop off. And I've taken some long road trips (including off road) up to the sierra's with my kayak on top. Never had a problem.

Kevin

Siebler · 03-03-2008, 08:51 PM

[quote=bluesquids;21527]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aguachico

Marine goop has UV inhibitors.

quote]

Heard that the kaya tank installs are using Goop now.

If you have your tank installed it will be done with Goop. This is the same at any OEX or AYS as I do all the installs. If you order a tank and install yourself it will come with 5200 unless you specifically tell me you want the goop.

Habu · 03-05-2008, 03:43 PM

Tried goop but while curing in 75 deg temp filled with bubbles signal quality was lousy. went with ace's 2-part epoxy been happy ever since (4 yrs) Have also heard of instead of water too use vaseline to temp mount transducer.

bajadog · 07-09-2008, 12:29 PM

How about RTV?

Mine is still on after almost 14 months.

deeberdave · 07-11-2008, 11:35 AM

I went for the foam block shaped for the transducer,gooped to the inside of the hull press in transducer just add two tablespoons of water and your in business,no fuss no muss! This works great so far and is clean and easy to remove if necessary.

Handymansd · 07-11-2008, 12:34 PM

Quote:

I heard if you mix 4200, 5200, 5200 fast cure, epoxy, marine goop, plumbers goop, vaseline, RTV silicone, and add a little water with a sprinkle of foam you get the bestest reading and bond.

This is why Grego catches so many fish!!

Seriously though, everybody has an opinion. Don't be confused by all the different methods. I have used all of the mentioned ways at one time or another. I even mounted a transducer like a rudder to get a good reading once (I don't recommend that one though

).. In the end, they can all work. some methods may give a little better picture due to densities and other considerations. However, more importantly, is that you get a good "clean" mount (no bubbles). Make sure the kayak is level when applying any adhesives, and be sure that it does not move until it is set. Epoxies will be difficult to remove from your transducer, but goop can be easily removed for another shot if you mess it up. Roughing the surface of the kayak and transducer slightly with sandpaper is helpful to maintain good adhesion with goop and some epoxies. If one method does not work for you, then try the next!

Good luck!

rotten · 07-11-2008, 12:54 PM

I just use clear silicone caulking, seems to work good enough

sbsyncro · 07-14-2008, 08:32 PM

I've been using a blob of vaseline for about a year now with no problems. I had to re-do it once because something got loose in the hull and knocked my transducer loose.

I wedged a section of pool noodle above the xducer to hold it in place. Not perfect, but I can't make up my mind where to mount it permanently. I have the slow-cure epoxy all ready to go and everything... :-)

03-03-2008, 11:06 AM	#2
bluesquids Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jamul, CA Posts: 243	[quote=aguachico;21494]Marine goop has UV inhibitors. quote] Is UV inhibitor a bad thing? I thought 5200 was standard for thru hull applications. It seems very flexible. Have not tried 4200 yet because it says it's less adherent than 5200. Heard that the kaya tank installs are using Goop now. I think prep is most important anyway you decide to go. __________________ Thanks, bluesquids

07-09-2008, 12:29 PM	#12
bajadog I eats what I kills Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 393	How about RTV? Mine is still on after almost 14 months. __________________ Please release bill-fish.

03-02-2008, 04:28 PM	#1
aguachico Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 719	Marine goop has UV inhibitors. DOn't use GOOP. 3M 4200 is the the way to go other than mounting outside the yak. After using goop, 4200, water bags and everyother method I can think of, the transducer should be mounted outside a yak for optimal clarity.

07-09-2008, 01:51 PM	#6
Grego Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 446	I heard if you mix 4200, 5200, 5200 fast cure, epoxy, marine goop, plumbers goop, vaseline, RTV silicone, and add a little water with a sprinkle of foam you get the bestest reading and bond.

07-09-2008, 02:36 PM	#7
One Rev Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 65	Hot glue works great for me. Mike

07-10-2008, 06:54 AM	#9
Kevin Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 78	I've used both marine goop and two part epoxy. By far two part epoxy gives you a better picture. Its not even close. The key is how you install it. Marine goop is just too soft and dampens the sonar quite a bit. Get some adhesive putty and create a well for the epoxy. The epoxy will cure thinner and get brittle if it is allowed to spread out. Creating the well gives you a thicker section. I'm sure there are a lot of other brands but I've used ACE two part epoxy for plastic and it works perfectly. No oil canning and I've never had the transducer pop off. And I've taken some long road trips (including off road) up to the sierra's with my kayak on top. Never had a problem. Kevin

03-05-2008, 03:43 PM	#11
Habu Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cerritos Posts: 31	Tried goop but while curing in 75 deg temp filled with bubbles signal quality was lousy. went with ace's 2-part epoxy been happy ever since (4 yrs) Have also heard of instead of water too use vaseline to temp mount transducer.

07-11-2008, 11:35 AM	#13
deeberdave Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: CARLSBAD Posts: 34	I went for the foam block shaped for the transducer,gooped to the inside of the hull press in transducer just add two tablespoons of water and your in business,no fuss no muss! This works great so far and is clean and easy to remove if necessary.

07-11-2008, 12:54 PM	#15
rotten Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 60	I just use clear silicone caulking, seems to work good enough

07-14-2008, 08:32 PM	#16
sbsyncro Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 80	I've been using a blob of vaseline for about a year now with no problems. I had to re-do it once because something got loose in the hull and knocked my transducer loose. I wedged a section of pool noodle above the xducer to hold it in place. Not perfect, but I can't make up my mind where to mount it permanently. I have the slow-cure epoxy all ready to go and everything... :-)