Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I have a cheap fish finder coming at the end of the week and the transducer will require a small hole to be drilled in the aluminum box and the rear lower corner of the toon. I dont want to deal with trying to pull the boat out of the water due to the holiday traffic and business that will be going on this weekend, just aint worth it. But if I can find another way of doing in the water without ruining nice tools, that would be fine. Oh and obviously, 110V corded drills are out of the question.

I do have a dirt cheap Black and Decker screw gun that does not have solid state circuits but it turns very slow. I know that DC motors will run under water so thats what I am considering first. The thing only cost $8.00 so I would not lose sleep if I killed it.

Any other thoughts on how to drill a hole for the transducer while under water?

I would start the hole using a prick punch, then drill it with something like this.

http://www.overstock.com/Crafts-Sewing/ ... oduct.html

I have an old hand crank drill that I got when I was a kid, and I have used it underwater before. The trick is to start the hole with a punch and use a real sharp drill.

Same as above. I have seen some of the handheld screw drivers that provide drill bits along with sockets in the kit at Lowes and HD
doc

They also make hand held drills, they operate like an old fashioned hand mixer and it will take many different size drills.

You could use a flexible extension and a hex chuck bit but you still want a cordless drill. 120v and water do not mix.
Flush the extension out with WD40 when you are done.

When I was in the passenger boat business, I often had trim tab issues. I found that I could flood my first compartment on the boat, and replace a trim tab without hauling the boat.. It would lift out of the water.

I'd put all my trash cans on the bow of the toon, flood them, and see if it picks the rear out of the water. also, maybe a little tug with a come along would help get the clearance you need.

You probably considered the more obvious- is there a boat lift in the area that you could borrow for 10 minutes?

That sounds like a great idea. Maybe just buy a 12 pack and ask who wants a free beer. The catch is they have to sit on the front of your boat to drink it.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

I'm in for the free beer and sitting around!

If you are just trying to mount the transducer bracket try some self tapping sheet metal screws and a magnetic nut driver. I do it all the time on ductwork if I don't have a drill handy of just need a screw or 2.

I used the same type screws to mount mine, with a drill since I trailer mine. Just put the screw in the nutdriver, press firmly against the bracket and give it a smack on the handle of the nutdriver with the palm of your other hand. This will make a little dimple and make it easier to start. BTW the 1/4" hex head screws is what I use.

air drill

Let's see...


Put a loaded 9mm pistol in a freezer ziplock bag.
Get in the water, and shoot a hole in the boat, being sure to get the gun out of the water before it gets too wet.

Oh, and be careful you don't put that round into your leg.

...or the gas tank.

Yeah, that'll work!

LMAO.

In case you haven't tackled this yet.

Grampa called these a "brace and bit" before they got that there "lectric" put in.

http://www.amazon.com/Tool-890-1071-12-Point-Reversible-Ratchet/dp/B000BDISD2/ref=pd_cp_hi_1

Kevin