Got a 2020 Hobie Mirage Compass 12ft kayak. It's Lowrance transducer ready. Looking at the included mounting bracket the regular skim type xdcr will fit perfect inside & flush with the underside of the kayak. Looking at the Lowrance Hook2 models they come with either a split shot xdcr which is chirp & down imaging or triple shot which is chirp, down imaging & side imaging. However the xdcr for the triple shot is appx 12" & will not fit flush in the cavity which will make it protrude from the bottom of the hull about 3". They make a special cover specifically for the triple shot xdcr to put on the Hobie. Again it'll still protrude below the hull 3-3-1/2". I'm also told that the triple shot or any side imaging xdcr's for that matter can't be mounted for a through hull application & that they have to be in the water. ? Maybe I'm just resolved to being stuck with the split shot xdcr instead? Any of Y'all have any units installed on your kayaks & if so, what solutions have y'all come up with? Thanks in advance.

I couldn't figure more than two good options for side scan on my Compass:

-arm, or

-hanging in ducer hole below hull

 

I went with the latter, using BerleyPro ducer cover:

 

Pic from BerleyPro site...not my yak

 

I think @J Francho uses arm on his Compass

BerleyPro transducer covers are tough as nails.  Go with one of those.

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

I think @J Francho uses arm on his Compass

Yep, from YakAttack.

Thanks for the replies. I saw the Berle pro cover at the kayak shop. How much does it limit you in “skinny” water hanging on the bottom of the hull like that?

11 minutes ago, Gfd63 said:

Thanks for the replies. I saw the Berle pro cover at the kayak shop. How much does it limit you in “skinny” water hanging on the bottom of the hull like that?

Not at all.  Your drive, kick up fins or not, will stop you first.  The BP on my 2017 PA14 barely went past the bottom of the hull.

6 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

Not at all.  Your drive, kick up fins or not, will stop you first.  The BP on my 2017 PA14 barely went past the bottom of the hull.

10-4 I looked at the arm from yak attack. They must be popular cause their sold out on their website. I’ll definitely look into the Berley Pro 1st

While the amount of drag you're adding with a transducer arm is pretty negligible, it is drag and I would rather have a Berley Pro cover than deal with another accessory inside my kayak.

 

That area is for waterlogged snacks and discarded plastics.

10-4 Hook2 I hear ya ?

The Berley Pro is an ideal solution, if the arm is gonna bug you.  Been using my arm since three boats ago, so I'm used to it.  I really dig Hobie's new retractable TD housing.  Next boat...

18 minutes ago, J Francho said:

The Berley Pro is an ideal solution, if the arm is gonna bug you.  Been using my arm since three boats ago, so I'm used to it.  I really dig Hobie's new retractable TD housing.  Next boat...

Yea I saw that Hobie came out with the retractable xdcr bracket after I bought the Compass. ?

27 minutes ago, Gfd63 said:

Yea I saw that Hobie came out with the retractable xdcr bracket after I bought the Compass. ?

It would be nice if they offered a retrofit kit, huh?

12 minutes ago, J Francho said:

It would be nice if they offered a retrofit kit, huh?

J Francho, they know that if they do so, you won't buy another kayak upgrade. Data is the "oil" of 2020. Ha!