HDS 9 Gen 3 ram mount

[buzzbaitr]

Great advice guys. I was leaning towards the long armed version with the more heavy duty 2.25. I have a transducer inside my trolling motor now that was connected to my old garmin but i am guessing i will need to use the new transducer. I have a minn kota and am thinking there is an adapter kit or something like that to put my new transducer inside my minn kota.

[Champ188]

I just bought the 2.25 ram mounts I bought the short for the top rail at my console and the long for the front deck. I currently have a 998c on the back but it will be replaced with another 1100 series bird next week.the smaller ram mounts I replace handled my 898's just fine but no way would I use them with the 1100 series birds. Word of advice learned the hard way, I don't suggest mounting the front deck ram in front of your control panel. I was running two and a half foot rollers on Stockton a month ago and we had the mount tilted forward and the graph pointing up. Anyhows the graph vibrated down and pushed the trolling motor cable against the up position on the trim switch. It got kinda hairy for a few seconds.I had to shut the boat down going 30mph to a dead stop. I didn't take on any water over the bow but its a miracle I didn't. I mounted the 1158c off in the right corner completely out of the way.I like it there better anyhows.

Jim, I have a 998 on a 2.25 ram mount on the front of mine. I lay it over face down on the carpet and lock the knob down before making rough runs and when trailering. Keeps it snug as a bug in a rug -- carpet cushions it and no bouncing.

[Sac River Jim]

I lean the1158 on the front down flat too champ and the 998 on the top rail I turn sideways and turn it down and lean it on the steering wheel when trailering. I love the 2.25 ram mounts because they are solid as a rock. My partner was fishing front deck when it happened and he'd changed the angle of the graph and didn't get it seized down. The old mounts were about worn out and you really had to put the whammy to them to get them tight. I'm trying to train myself to take the time to go over a mental check list ever time I move from spot to spot so I don't just take for granted my partners do what they are susposed to do.

[Chris King]

I added a Bass Boat Technologies mount to mine. Gets it off the RAM mount and gives it a more secure base. I bet BBT has a mount that will fit your boat.

[5bites]

Just a suggestion to all but I recommend never trailering with your graphs mounted. I always pull mine unless we are staying very near the ramp. I'm always concerned about theft if we stop, rocks, road crap and grime especially if it's rainy or drizzly. Just my paranoia and what I do.

I also never trailer with my rods on the deck for the same reasons.

[skeeter]

I'm certainly no expert but after battling a 2.25 Ram mount for my Hummingbird 1197c (just a bit larger than the HDS9 I think) for several years I am ordering the Balzout unit.

I even called RAM and they were very courteous and actually sent out a new mount plus a wrench-type tool they have developed in response to similar complaints. That tool is meant to give the user more leverage beyond what the human hand can exert on the friction/tightening knob on the base of the 2.25 RAM. There just isn't enough surface area for one of those large units on that ball mount to keep the 1197 from "blowing over" at any speed over 50 and especially in rough water.

After speaking with the gent who manufactures the Balzout mount http://balzoutllc.com/ (Old Monroe, MO ) I found out their adjusting knobs have holes drilled thru them for tool access in case your fingers can't get a good enough grip on the "knurled" surfaces.