GPS & Depth finder

[Itsabouttime]

As winter drags on I continue to think and question just what do I need (want) on a pontoon. Mine does not have fish finder/gps. All it has is depth gauge in dash. So here goes a couple questions about fish finder/gps units.
1. is the transducer cable usually long enough to mount transducer on the left pontoon and make it to the console? Depth transducer is on the other one. If not long enough can I get extension cable?
2. Is the color version of the fish finder/gps worth the extra $150 to $200 over the old black and white versions. I have never owned color unit. I don't think that I will try to make this a 90% fishing boat more like 75% riding and relaxing with cell phone on silent.

Thanks for your opinions.

[bobalong]

As winter drags on I continue to think and question just what do I need (want) on a pontoon. Mine does not have fish finder/gps. All it has is depth gauge in dash. So here goes a couple questions about fish finder/gps units.
1. is the transducer cable usually long enough to mount transducer on the left pontoon and make it to the console? Depth transducer is on the other one. If not long enough can I get extension cable?
2. Is the color version of the fish finder/gps worth the extra $150 to $200 over the old black and white versions. I have never owned color unit. I don't think that I will try to make this a 90% fishing boat more like 75% riding and relaxing with cell phone on silent.

Thanks for your opinions.

I have a 20 foot as well and I had to get an extension so I could position the cable up between the bottom strakes. I have been running a couple of different color units for the past few years and for my eyes anyway, I can the see the screen much better, even from the back of the boat.

[Capt Sully]

We have the Garmin 431s and it works great. I installed it in place of the fishfinder that came with the boat and just had to make the opening larger. It comes with all the lake maps installed.

Carl, what type of antenna does it have, is it built in or remote ? can it be used without the Transducer to be used just for GPS operation ? Thanks,

[cwag911]

The antenna is built in. The transducer is just for depth and water temp. Do you already have a depth finder on your boat?

[BoatCop]

I have the Humminbird 385ci. The transducer is mounted on the port (left) pontoon with more than enough cable to reach the console. There was a mount on the pontoon for just that purpose. I ran the cable up under the deck and through the access hole for the control cables and such.

I've got about 6 loops zip tied up underneath the console. I think there was 20' of cable. There's no way to shorten it if you don't need the whole 20', but there are extension cables available in 10' increments if you need more.