I'm trying to figure out a way to mount a transducer on the bow instead of the back of the boat. I'm still debating on sticking it on my MK foot controlled Power Drive TM. I have a Humminbird 565. I was thinking about rigging up something like the portable fishing buddy clamp mounts. Then I can set it to the side the boat as opposed to my TM. I am assuming that if may be a hair less likely to hit something this way.

Is that a bad idea or should I just suck it up and put it on the TM. I have a '14 modified 'V' jon. This will be the only fish finder I have. I would rather have it on the front of the boat in lieu of the back.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I'd put it on the TM. I can't see any benefit in putting it on a seperate piece, IMO.

SkeeterZX225, unfortunately the Power Drive motors are not very transducer mounting friendly due to management of the wire.

The universal sonar motors in that line are the most practical for front sonar use.

jax, I have seen boats with your motor type rigged with this or a version of it  ---http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_387_250003004_250000000_250003000_250-3-4

Here is a link to how I attached my Humminbird transducer to my Powerdrive and ran the cable up the shaft.  It is still working.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1204511815/0

SkeeterZX225, unfortunately the Power Drive motors are not very transducer mounting friendly due to management of the wire.

The universal sonar motors in that line are the most practical for front sonar use.

jax, I have seen boats with your motor type rigged with this or a version of it ---http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_387_250003004_250000000_250003000_250-3-4

my mistake, didn't catch where he said powerdrive motor. Sorry.

Here is a link to how I attached my Humminbird transducer to my Powerdrive and ran the cable up the shaft. It is still working.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1204511815/0

I don't want to hijack the thread, but it looks like you shortened your shaft as well.  I did that on my PD and it was a pain in the arse.   But now I'm not casting over a foot of unnecessary shaft.  

jax, I have seen boats with your motor type rigged with this or a version of it ---http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_387_250003004_250000000_250003000_250-3-4

From reading the description I looks like I can mount this on the bow. Would this affect the reading of the transducer at all? It looks like that is going to be about $30 plus. The trolling motor mount is going to be about $30ish. Price is almost a wash. Any thoughts on which is a better set up?

jax, there are only two things you need for it to work. The transducer has to be wet and the bottom of it has to be parallel with the bottom of the lake/river.

If you choose that model, it has to reach from the clamping area of your boat to just below the water's surface. If none of those are long enough, you can just extend the reach with a piece of metal or wood. Some guys I know have that setup on the bow of their v-hull aluminum multi-species boats using the Power Drive motors. They had to make an extension for them.

I regret every single day buying my Powerdrive. I have the same dilemma you do. I mounted the transducer on the TM the regular way and the wire is just running out alongside the shaft. Almost always in the way. Its the one thing on my boat that didn't turn out well when I did my rebuild...