HOW TO MOUNT A FISH FINDER TO YOUR BOAT USING IBOLT MOUNTS

Spring warm-up means one thing for a lot of anglers: it is time to get the boat back on the water. A fish finder is one of the highest value pieces of gear you can run, but only if it stays exactly where you put it. A unit that shifts, vibrates loose, or blocks your view when the hull starts slapping waves is worse than no fish finder at all. Whether you are running a Garmin STRIKER, a Lowrance unit, or another brand, a properly sized iBOLT mount is what keeps that screen locked in place trip after trip.

Why Your Fish Finder Needs a Purpose Built Mount

Fish finders take a beating on the water. Hull slap, wake crossings, trailer transport, and constant on off use all put stress on whatever is holding your unit in place. A mount built for marine use needs to handle vibration without loosening, resist UV and moisture exposure, and hold the display at a viewing angle you can actually read from the helm or casting deck.

iBOLT builds its marine mounts from heavy duty composite and aluminum components with rubber coated ball joints and dual ball arms, which is the setup most fish finder brackets are designed around. That means the mounting hardware is doing the same job whether you are running a small kayak unit or a larger console mounted display.

What to Verify Before You Buy a Fish Finder Mount

Fish finder mounts are not one size fits all, even within the same brand. Before you order, check these details against your own boat and unit:

• Mounting surface: Are you drilling into a flat gunwale, console, or rail, or do you need a clamp based setup? iBOLT's fish finder mounts use a drill base plate, so confirm you have a flat surface to work with.
• Ball and arm size: iBOLT fish finder mounts come in 25mm (B-size) and 38mm (C-size) options. Larger displays and heavier units generally do better on the 38mm arm for a more rigid hold.
• AMPS hole pattern: Most fish finder brackets, including Garmin and Lowrance quick release plates, use an industry standard AMPS 4-hole rectangular pattern. Check your unit's existing bracket or manual before ordering to confirm it matches.
• Vibration exposure: Outboard vibration and hull pounding are harder on hardware than most vehicle dash mounting. A dual ball composite arm with a solid drill base holds up better than adhesive or clamp only mounts in this environment.
• Cable routing: Plan where your power and transducer cables will run before you drill. A mount placed too close to a rail or gunwale edge can make cable management awkward later.
• Removal frequency: If you swap the fish finder between boats or store it off season, a quick release AMPS plate on top of the drill base saves you from repeated wiring and mounting work.

iBOLT Fish Finder Mount Options for Boats and Kayaks

The two most common iBOLT fish finder setups pair a composite AMPS drill base with a dual ball arm, then connect to your fish finder's existing AMPS bracket or plate. Here is how the sizing breaks down.

38mm / 1.5-inch Fish Finder Mount and Plate

The iBOLT 38mm /1.5-inch Composite Universal Marine Electronic Fish Finder to Composite AMPS Drill Mount pairs a composite AMPS drill base with a 3.5-inch composite bizmount arm and 38mm ball grips. The overall mount runs 5.75 inches long, which gives a stable, rigid hold for larger displays. The drill base uses an industry standard hole pattern that lines up with most vehicle specific and marine AMPS adapter plates, so it works with a wide range of fish finder brackets, not just one brand.

This is the size to reach for if your unit has a larger screen, sits on a console where vibration is more pronounced, or you simply want more surface contact at the drill base for a permanent install.

25mm / 1-inch Fish Finder Mount

The iBOLT 25mm/1-inch Composite Universal Marine Electronic Fish Finder to Composite Universal Marine Rectangular AMPS Drill base is the more compact option, built around a 2.75-inch composite bizmount arm with ball adapters already attached. The drill pattern is the same industry standard 30 x 38mm 4-hole layout used across most AMPS plates, so it is a straightforward swap if your current bracket uses that spacing.

This size works well for smaller handheld style fish finders like the Garmin STRIKER line, where a lighter arm still holds the display steady without adding unnecessary bulk to a kayak or smaller console.

Mounting a Camera Alongside Your Fish Finder

If you also run an action camera on the boat, you do not need a separate mounting system. The 3.8mm/1.5-inch Composite Diamond AMPS pattern to ¼-20-inch Composite Camera Dual Ball Screw Mount uses the same 38mm ball and AMPS drill base as the fish finder mounts above, but swaps the end plate for a standard ¼-20 camera screw. That means you can run a GoPro or similar action camera off the same drill base pattern used for your electronics, without adding extra holes to your boat.

This is a practical option if you want to document a trip without dedicating a separate mounting point for the camera, since the drill base and arm sizing stay consistent across both use cases.

Installation Tips That Save You a Redo

A few practices make the install cleaner and keep the mount solid over time:

• Dry fit the drill base and check clearance for the display and any tilt adjustment before marking holes.
• Use marine grade sealant on the drill holes to prevent water intrusion into the substrate below the mounting surface.
• Route power and transducer cables before final tightening so you are not fishing cable through a finished mount.
• Check torque on the ball joints after the first few outings. New composite arms can settle slightly under initial vibration.

All iBOLT mounts come in varying sizes, and depending on your needs, some specific models will work best for your application.

Related iBOLT Mounting Options

iBOLT Garmin Striker 4 / Fish Finder Dual Arm Handlebar, Rail Mount

Useful for keeping electronics positioned on boats and around marine work areas.

iBOLT Garmin Striker 4 / Fish Finder IncrediBOLT™ 360 Clamp / Handlebar / Rail Mount

Useful for keeping electronics positioned on boats and around marine work areas.

iBOLT Garmin Striker 4 / Fish Finder Handlebar, Rail Mount

Useful for keeping electronics positioned on boats and around marine work areas.

iBOLT Universal Marine Fish Finder Dual Arm Handlebar/ Rail Mount

Useful for keeping electronics positioned on boats and around marine work areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a 25mm and 38mm iBOLT fish finder mount?
The main difference is arm size and rigidity. The 38mm (C-size) mount uses a longer, thicker arm and is a better fit for larger displays or higher vibration mounting points. The 25mm (B-size) mount is more compact and works well for smaller handheld style units.

Will an iBOLT mount fit my Garmin STRIKER or other brand fish finder?
iBOLT fish finder mounts use an industry standard AMPS drill hole pattern that matches most Garmin, Lowrance, and other marine electronics brackets. Confirm your unit's existing bracket or AMPS adapter plate hole spacing before ordering to be certain of fitment.

Can I mount a camera on the same arm as my fish finder?
Yes, iBOLT offers a 38mm AMPS to ¼-20 camera screw adapter that uses the same ball and drill base sizing as the fish finder mounts, so you can add a GoPro style camera without a separate mounting system.

Do these mounts require permanent drilling into my boat?
The drill base itself is designed for a permanent install into a flat surface. If you want to remove the fish finder frequently, keep your existing AMPS quick release plate attached to the arm so the electronics can be lifted off while the base stays mounted.

How do I know which AMPS hole pattern my fish finder uses?
Check the back of your current mounting bracket or your fish finder's manual for hole spacing. Most modern units use the same 30 x 38mm 4-hole AMPS pattern, but it is worth confirming before you drill.

Are iBOLT fish finder mounts weatherproof for saltwater use?
The mounts are built from heavy duty composite and aluminum components suited for outdoor marine exposure. As with any hardware in saltwater environments, rinse and inspect fittings regularly to keep them performing well over time.