FISHING SPECIALTIES Bowducer User manual

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Bowducer Installation
Instructions
THANK YOU for ordering our Bowducer assembly!
If you need assistance or clarification during assembly, please give us a call at
719-284-2220

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Typical parts in a Bowducer kit include:
Baseplate Assembly Index Piece (Si/Di only) Clamping Mount Bracket
Subplate Pedestals Rail Mount bracket
ONLY USE 2 Nylon THUMBSCREWS WITH ANY MOUNTING SYSTEM!
Downrod with cone assembly:
Solid or Telescoping
1” OD, 1.25 OD or 1.5 OD
Assorted Downrod Ends specific to your transducer
Transducer to downrod adapter for your transducer
(Style may vary depending on transducer)

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Installation/Setup of Baseplates:
Special note: Securing Bowducer to Sub plates,
Pedestals, Mounting brackets, etc.
The Bowducer is set up with a 4 hole pattern for thumbscrews. In actual use, 4
thumbscrews are too strong for the marine board baseplates (and not quite so
“handy”for aluminum baseplates). Instead of using all 4 mounting
holes, USE ONLY 2 THUMBSCREWS DIAGONALLY from one another.
This lowers the holding strength of the thumbscrews to be below the strength of
the marine board baseplates. It also allows the user to immediately remount the
baseplate should the thumbscrews break away, as intended, when the downrod
hits an underwater obstacle. The immediate replacement of the baseplate will
keep you fishing until you get back and can deal with the broken stubs of the
thumbscrews.
REMOVAL of Broken Thumbscrew Stubs
Broken thumbscrew stubs are generally easy to remove however should one be
somewhat stuck in the mounting, the easiest removal method is to heat the tip of
a small screwdriver and melt a groove in the top of the stub. Once that cools, you
should be able to turn out the thumbscrew using the screwdriver.
Positioning the Bowducer Assembly on the boat.
When selecting the downrod location there are several things to consider:
1. Ensure that the downrod will be over the edge of the boat. Do not place it
directly behind the trolling motor propwash as this may interfere with the
sonar returns. Try to be at least 12 to 18 inches away from prop wash.
2. If you have scanning sonar (Livescope or Active Target) make sure that the
handle will clear potential obstacles –fences on pontoons, displays, etc.

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3. Check to be sure that the baseplate assembly will not cause interference with
stowage of trolling motor or other items.
4. It is recommended to dry fit the assembly to the boat to make sure that
everything clears nicely!
Installation of Sub Plates and Pedestals:
1. Pre-assemble the baseplate and mounting system (sub plate, pedestal,
bracket, etc.). Use 2 thumbscrews to hold the 2 parts together. Place the
downrod into the baseplate cup and hold it in the cup with the top latch.
2. Place the completed assembly on the boat at your desired location.
3. Ensure that the downrod clears the rub rail of the boat and that the downrod
will be in a good location for use.
4. Outline the mounting location for sub plate/pedestals with masking tape.
5. Utilize the mounting plates as a drill guide (pedestal users see below) and
secure these items to the boat.
Installation of Rail mounts (Tracker/Lund):
Rail mounted Bowducer assemblies use appropriate hardware/plates to secure to
the rail of your boats. Installation is generally very straightforward with the
bracket mounting to the rail and the Baseplate assembly mounting atop the
brackets with nylon thumbscrews. Do NOT replace the nylon thumbscrews with
stainless screws. The nylon is a strain relief point and will prevent damage to your
baseplates.
Pedestals:
Pedestals are available in single location versions or movable versions. It may be
necessary to assemble the pedestal:
1. The top plate has 4 threaded holes for the thumbscrews.
2. Bottom plates have 4 holes close to the corners for mounting to the deck.
3. Assemble the bottom plate to the center extrusion and then mount to the
deck. Finally, add the top plate.
4. Users with very tall pedestals > 6 inches, should consider the use of a
through bolt and nut with fender washers mounted under the deck. Use
# 10 stainless steel hardware.

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Movable pedestals:
Movable pedestals utilize two mounting plates (a) on either side of the boat. The
pedestal/baseplate assembly can thus be used on the most advantageous side of
the boat. Secure the mounting plates to the boat and then use the red
thumbscrews to hold the pedestal to the mounting plates.
Baseplate accessory parts:
Baseplate Tether Kits (MUST INSTALL)
Baseplates with removable sub plates, track and rail mounts, and
pedestal mounts are supplied with a tether. The nylon thumbscrews will
tend to snap when an obstacle is accidentally hit. Baseplates will flip into
the water. The tether will hold it to the boat and prevent you fishing the
baseplate from deep or murky water. One end of the tether cable is
uncrimped so you can decide what length may be best for your boat. To
crimp the ferrule simply slide it on and crimp use your fishing pliers or
flatten the ferrule with a hammer!

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Rubber Bumpers
15 inch Marine Board baseplates are supplied with small
rubber standoffs as there will likely be some flex in the
baseplate assembly. The rubber standoffs are to protect the
boat gunwale. Aluminum 15 inch baseplates are supplied
with stick on bumpers.
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Installation of Downrods
Downrods utilize a bushing that sits in the baseplate. That bushing sets the depth
of the transducer. To get a good depth for your transducer it should be deep
enough to see past the boat without being blocked by the hull. The transducer
also should not be so deep as to be likely to hit underwater obstacles.
Once the baseplate is installed. Measure from the keel (or bottom) of the boat to
the baseplate. Then, measuring from the bottom of the downrod tube (without
transducer mounted), set the cone at the measured distance to the keel. Test fit
the downrod on the baseplate to make sure it is at the proper depth and adjust if
necessary.
It is perfectly acceptable to drill additional mounting holes for the cone. We
predrill a series of holes for convenience however, if you need a different setting,
then just use a 3/16 drill bit to add another hole for the cone anywhere on the
downrod.
Once the depth is set, evaluate the remaining section of downrod (portion above
the baseplate) for a proper handle location. It is good to get in the boat and test
the handle location to ensure it will be convenient to use while fishing.
If you feel the downrod is excessively long for your boat it can be shortened. To
shorten the downrod it is recommended you remove material from the bottom
half of the downrod. A chop saw works very well for this. Removing material from
the bottom of the downrod will preserve the pre drilled cone adjustment holes at
the top.

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Handle Assemblies: all scanning sonars.
Installation of handles, while mentioned here, are the last step in assembly.
Handle assemblies slip over the downrod and are held in place with a set screw.
Install the Handle prior to installing the strain relief ring as the ring will block the
handle bracket. You will need to drill a Drill a 1/8 inch dia hole to securely set the
handle on the downrod.
1. The existing holes on the downrod are not drilled for the handle! Drill a
1/8 inch dia hole in the side of the downrod and attach the screw in that
hole so that it is tight.
2. Typically for Livesight/Livescope, the handle should point in the same line
as the transducer is facing.

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Installation of the Transducers onto the Downrod
WHEN ASSEMBLING DOWNROD PARTS, ALWAYS REMOVE ALL SCREWS SO YOU
CAN EASILY LOCATE SCREW HOLES
The downrods come in several styles. You may have a solid or telescoping version and there
are also 2 standard diameters: 1.5” or 1.25” OD and this is dependent on the transducer
system which was specified on your order. There are also a couple options which may have
been ordered: A second downrod cone or perhaps a telescoping handle assembly.
General Instructions:
1. Place all items (cones, strain relief, handles, etc.) onto the downrod –do not secure
them. This includes the transducer mounting end, the cone, handles, and spare cone if
ordered and the strain relief ring.
2. Remove the screw for the downrod cone to prevent
interference with the connector.
3. Feed the cable through the transducer mounting end.
4. Secure the transducer to the downrod end using the
general instructions on the following pages.
Lowrance: If you have a Lowrance transducer with the
blue or black connector, it is possible to use it with a 1
inch OD downrod with a bit of modification. You will
need to sand the nubs of the connectors in order to get
it through the downrod as shown.

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Connecting the transducer to the downrod ends
Lowrance Transducers:
For “conventional”transducers from Humminbird or Lowrance, the Mounting disk shown is
supplied. “Conventional”are defined as those using the transom bracket assemblies shown in
the photo above.
Lowrance LSS, TotalScan and Structure Scan & 3in1
1. Remove the disk from the plate.
2. Run the cable through the disk and the downrod (make sure cones are on the downrod
as well as the strain relief ring and handle if purchased).
3. Reattach the plate to the disk puck –there is an alignment mark for proper mounting.
Do not attempt to mount the transducer yet. Dress the cable so it is short but can still
be routed through the channel and up the downrod.
4. Secure the transducer to the plate. Make sure that the transducer cable is tight to the
assembly, so it does not catch underwater obstacles.
5. Finally secure the finished assembly to the downrod.

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Lowrance Livesight:
The Livesight transducer is only designed for side pole mount. Simply
attach the transducers bracket to the post end the same as if it were a
trolling motor shaft. Align the handle with the transducer and it is
ready to go.
Lowrance Active Target Downrod End
Note: As the downrod is pointed in the direction
that the user wants to search, port and
starboard mounting is not relevant to the
assembly. The handle is ultimately aligned with
the transducer so the handle intuitively points in
the direction the transducer is facing.
The user should keep in mind during assembly
that the back of the transducer is where the wire
exits the transducer, and the transducer emitters
are thus “forward”. Align the handle along the
axis of the transducer to point the transducer in
the proper direction.
1. Run the cable through the downrod. Ensure that the depth bushing,
handle and strain relief for the top of the tube are all installed.
2. Install the post end and make sure that the cable cleanly goes though the
wire channel. Secure the post end.
3. It will be necessary to leave a loop of about 10 inches to allow the
transducer to be moved to the 3 different views.
4. Attach the Lowrance transducer bracket to the post. The wire channel
should be facing roughly 45 degrees toward the forward view position.
An alternative mount is available that presents less water resistance using a ram
mounting system.