How easy is it to install a depth sounder?

[Fella]

My pops is having his birthday soon and he asked for a depth sounder for his aluminum boat. Is it pretty easy to install? Anyone have experience with depth sounders? What brands or features should I be looking for?

[BigfishCanada]

http://ca.humminbird.com/category/271308/Fishin%27_Buddy_Series Is it a aluminum boat as in cartop? Then don't even consider anything but a portable one , this fishin buddy clips on within minutes and has great battery life

[Sofa King]

what size boat is it?
if a smaller aluminum, it's a piece of pie.
it was eezy-peezy installing a lowrance hds 7" permanently into a 24' cabin cruiser.

[Sofa King]

main thing to note, was that they recommend the transducer be mounted on a particular side of the prop.

[Fella]

14 foot aluminum boat that we haul on a trailer. Looks like the portable is the way to go.

[longstonec]

hardest part is drilling holes in your boat.

[BRvalley]

how much are you spending?

if your budget allows, don't get the fishin buddy/any other portables....for around 500 you get a really nice low or HB model with a lot more features and bigger screen (something my grandfather appreciates the most, his eyes aint' what they used to be), the transducer is permanently mounted and you simply disconnect the head unit when trailering or storage

if you don't want to drill holes in the transom, glue a piece of nylon/plastic board with 3m 5200...and then mount your transducer into the mounting board, saves unnecessary holes in your transom....3m 5200 and 4200 is good stuff

[BRvalley]

installation will take less than an hour....4200 cures in 24 hrs...5200 is recommended in 4 days I think, but I've had it on the water after 48 hrs and has held up for a good 5 or 6 years now