Let's see your DIY Helix Shuttle!!!

Here is my custom setup.

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I just wanted to share my experience using wood for a shuttle. I built one 10 years ago for a fl-8 and after a season or two it pretty much cracked to pieces. The wood absorbs water and cracks when it freezes.

It could’ve also been that wood is much more brittle in cold weather. Either way it surely didn’t last and would never build one out of wood again.

I see many of you painted them. Hopefully that solves the problem.

I ordered the Helix 7 SI GPS G2 from Hodges last week with the intention of using it On the ice the winter and boat this summer. I wasn’t smart enough to make sure the ice kit was available, it not. I saw someone was using the Marcum lithium shuttle, did the helix bolt right on to that mount?

biggill wrote:

I just wanted to share my experience using wood for a shuttle. I built one 10 years ago for a fl-8 and after a season or two it pretty much cracked to pieces. The wood absorbs water and cracks when it freezes.

It could’ve also been that wood is much more brittle in cold weather. Either way it surely didn’t last and would never build one out of wood again.

I see many of you painted them. Hopefully that solves the problem.

Interesting, the case i got is water proof and so far the base i built has only gotten wet where i put the transducer, when i get home i have pulled it out of the case to make sure it dries.

With both of the ones I built I made out of cedar and put rubber feet on the bottom to keep the wood off the ice. This also helps when I bring it home so air can get under the shuttle to dry out.

I’ve noticed now with mine directly on the ice, the snow and ice tends to build up on the bottom.

I plan on buying a helix this week, I already own the xl 9 20 ice ducer. should I buy the unit that has the CHIRP? I will be using this in the boat also, and will be building a custom shuttle. can i use the unit without the xl 9 1521?

Daniel Johnson wrote:

I plan on buying a helix this week, I already own the xl 9 20 ice ducer. should I buy the unit that has the CHIRP? I will be using this in the boat also, and will be building a custom shuttle. can i use the unit without the xl 9 1521?

It is very highly recommended that u buy a chirp helix and the 1521 ducer. You will not be dissappointed!

Hey Craig, I’m thinking off buying a helix 7 unit and putting it on a marcum lithium shuttle like you. Just wondering how you mounted it onto the shuttle and what parts I need to do so. I was just going to purchase a summer water unit for my boat and then just buy the shuttle for it.

Here’s mine. I used a plastic ammo can from canadian tire and cut a piece of foam for the bottom to hold the battery in place.

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You are able to use the risers that came with the Helix 7 if you have the ice pack. I purchased the ice version so I’m not sure what all comes with the open water version. It was very simple to mount it. Ill take some up close pictures and post them

Sounds good Thanks!!

Brant Marcotte wrote:

Sounds good Thanks!!

Sorry it took so long, here are some pictures. Don’t mind the tape, that is they way I keep the wires down in the back.

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Thanks for information and pictures!

Just bought a Helix 5 DI CHIRP GPS w/Navionics, a Marcum Lithium shuttle on sale from FishUSA, and the backordered XI91521 ducer from Hodges. Can’t wait to get this thing setup and out on the ice!

I ended up just buying a Vexilar carrying case for about $35 for my Helix 7. Got the transducer for $100 at Joes. Not a huge fan of the carrying case and don’t think I’d recommend. Its a real pain to switch out batteries once one dies, no good way to prevent a tangled mess of cords going to battery and transducer, and the unit itself doesn’t fit quite right with the pre-drilled holes. The unit face slowly drops until its facing the ice. Only benefit is that it fits in a bucket (when unit is unattached) and its nice to hope from hole to hole with because its got a little rod holder and comes with a small tackle box that has a place to sit.

Ice fishing season is coming…let’s see those new Helix Shuttles

gotalunker wrote:

Ice fishing season is coming…let’s see those new Helix Shuttles

haha love the enthusiasm!!! this cold weather has me itching!

Just finished this tonight…

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buku wrote:

Just finished this tonight…

That size Helix is that?

That looks nice buku. You might want to put some black elc tape on the top of the LED lights so it doesn’t blind you. If you don’t like it you can always take it off.

That looks great. I love the adjustable Ram arm.

Its the 9, but looking to add a 5 or 7. Just wanted to make sure everything works so I pulled the 9 off of the boat.

Tuma wrote:

That looks nice buku. You might want to put some black elc tape on the top of the LED lights so it doesn’t blind you. If you don’t like it you can always take it off.

Thanks Tuma, thats a great idea!

Love that build Luttes. Now I want to build it. I want to make it out of something water proof, though. I wonder if black starboard would last longer. Something that works like wood but is water proof would be awesome! Or someone with a 3d printer could do some cool things with it!

Branden Visser wrote:

Love that build Luttes. Now I want to build it. I want to make it out of something water proof, though. I wonder if black starboard would last longer. Something that works like wood but is water proof would be awesome! Or someone with a 3d printer could do some cool things with it!

Thanks Branden! You’ll just have to balance cost vs benefit. For my build the only thing i had to buy was some truck bed liner paint, everything else was leftovers. Not sure what Starboard is, but if it’s going to end up costing $30-50, you may want to consider just getting a genz box, ultra pack/pro pack, or some other manufactured option. But, if you’re in it for the thrill of building something with your own hands to your exact specifications, then get on it and post it up here so we can admire it!

$50 for piece of pvc plastic for the one I am building. It will be weather/ice proof.

I just finished this one. Used black truck bedliner spray paint. Don’t have a picture of the finished and painted.

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Jeff nice job

Can I use a battery like this for my Helix 7?

https://www.amazon.com/Talentcell-Rechargeable-6000mAh-Battery-Portable/dp/B00MF70BPU/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1540470375&sr=8-16&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=12+volt+battery