The Stern PaD™
Save your transom and maintain your boats value by using a Stern Pad™ instead of drilling holes in the hull.
The Stern Pad™ is a mounting block for transducers, LED lights, pumps, antennas, and other devices that can be attached to a boat. The mounting block uses a special type of 3M VHB tape to adhere to the hull without the use of screws. The adhesive has been rigorously tested and has passed a 10 years submersion test in saltwater!
Standard: 4.5" x 3.5" x .75"
Jumbo: 6.5" x 4.75" x 1" (for 3D scan transducers)
Includes 3 adhesive cable clips (secured by 3M VHB Adhesive)
Includes site preparation materials (3M Scotch-brite pad and alcohol wipe)
Simple installation in less than 5 minutes (excluding 24-hour adhesive cure time before boating)
White or Black
Can be bottom painted if desired
Semi-Permanent (can be removed from gel-coat if needed)
Important: The Stern Pad is not approved for use with "LiveScope" or equivalent transducers
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Demonstration Videos:
Mounting Location Guidance
Transducers actually produce very little drag when installed correctly. The front profile of a modern transducer is slim and only a portion of the transducer should be in the water when the boat is on plane-- it should "skim" the water. This minimizes turbulence allowing accurate readings when the boat is underway.
Please reference the transducer mounting guidance from the leading transducer manufacturers shown below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Stern Pad be removed?
Yes. The Stern Pad™ is intended to be permanently mounted however it can be removed without damaging your boat hull.
Required removal tools:
Hammer or Rubber Mallet
2 or more Putty knives
2 or more flat head screwdrivers
Steps:
Take the two flat head screw drivers and gently push them into the VHB tape layer on one side of the Stern Pad™.
Place the putty knives between the screw drivers and the boat hull. The putty knives are used to protect the boat hull by distributing the load created by the screwdrivers.
Use the hammer or mallet to carefully tap the screwdrivers and putty knives in towards the middle of the pad. The screw drivers will act as wedges.
Take your time! The wedges will start to separate the Stern Pad™ from the hull.
Residual VHB tape may be present. It can be removed by hand or using a strip-off wheel.
Can the Stern Pad™ be used on an HDPE boat?
No. We do not recommend using a Stern Pad™ on a HDPE surface as 3M VHB does not create a reliable robust bond with HDPE. We recommend purchasing 3M Scotch-Weld Structural Plastic Adhesive DP8005. Contact us if you would like a Stern Pad™ without VHB tape for use with DP8005. Unfortunately, we do not carry DP8005 so it must be purchased separately.
Should I drill pilot holes into the Stern Pad™?
No. Our testing has shown that the screw pullout force is higher without pilot holes.
Do I need to remove anti-fouling paint before mounting a Stern Pad™?
Yes. Anti-fouling paint must be removed prior to mounting the Stern Pad™. Typically, an orbital sander is required for this. This type of 3M VHB tape will bond to Aluminum, Gel-coat, and Epoxy paint. Contact us for other material compatibility.
Does the Stern Pad™ come with directions?
Yes. Please we have also included them below.
