With the boat motionless over a level bottom, hold the transducer in the water and note the depth. The water flowing under the hull must be smooth with a minimum of bubbles and turbulence, especially at high speeds. A transom mount transducer can be angled from 3 to 16 degrees if required. If you have any questions about the forum please visit the FAQ section or email community@oodmag.com. Use the following table to determine which mounting option is best suited to your boat/installation preferences. If there is any petroleum residue inside the hull, remove it with either a mild household detergent or a weak solvent (alcohol) before sanding. Tilt the bandsaw table to the measured angle and secure the cutting fence (see Figure 2). Unlike mounting your monitor, finding a spot for the pontoon boat transducer mounting bracket is relatively painless. Today I’m going to demonstrate how to install a glue in transducer. For fin keel sailboats, mount it to the side of the centerline and forward of the fin keel 1' to 2'. Step 3: Mounting The Transducer. Remove any excess marine sealant on the outside of the hull and fairing to ensure smooth water flow under the transducer. Finding the perfect location is a must before you begin the actual installation. It is near impossible to install a transom mount transducer while the boat is in the water. Do you know of a glue or epoxy that would be strong enough to attach to aluminum? There are three mounting options for the side imaging transducer. (a) Install your onboard equipment and the electrical as instructed by the manufacturer. Installing the Transducer on a Transom Selecting a Transom-mount Location Select a transom-mount location while considering these guidelines for optimal performance. This prevents cracks in the gel coat layer when tightening the screws. Test the transom-mount transducer installation in open water free of obstacles. Fishfinders Ice Fishing Bundles & Kits Trolling Motors Fusion Audio Entertainment EmpirBus Digital Switching Handhelds & Wearables Connectivity Apps. Make a Transducer Mount for Your Boat's Depth Finder: This isn't a very complicated project, but it is much better than drilling holes in the transom of your boat, only to find you made a mistake and have to drill more. At this point, once we have purchased our new display, it’s time to see how to install a transom mount transducer correctly. I plan on installing the transducer on the bracket in back one of the toons. Plastic transducers are recommended for fiberglass or metal hulls. See Figure 3. For stepped hulls, mount it just ahead of the first step. If you are considering installing a thru-hull on your boat, check out our West Advisor article on Installing a Thru-hull Transducer. From outside the hull, thread the cable through the mounting hole. When mounting on the Transom, be sure to use a straight edge to locate the Transducer so that it sits slightly lower than the Hull. Smoothest Location . We have documented this "How to install a fish finder comprehensive guide" to help out the novice anglers. Thru-Hull Mounting Thru-hull transducers install through a hole drilled in the hull of the boat. View All; Fishing Boat Seats ; Offshore Boat Seats ... Just got a Garmin echomap 73cv that i will be installing on my pontoon. The sealant must extend 1/4" higher than the combined thickness of the hull, fairing and backing block (if used), and the hull nut. Now that we have dealt with the question of how to install a transducer, we should look at some additional tips for the purpose. OBSERVE TRANSOM TURBULENCE. • Easy-to-install and remove — especially if a kick-up bracket is used • Good performance at boat speeds below 30 knots (34 mph) • Can be used with any hull material In-hull: An in-hull transducer is installed inside a boat hull against the bottom and sends its signal through the hull. Is this the best option? Do not overtighten the transducer mount fixing nut. If you are considering installing a thru-hull on your boat, check out our West Advisor article on Installing a Thru-hull Transducer. I really want to do an in hull installation as opposed to the outside install using screws, holes, etc. This will make cleanup of the sealant a lot easier when you’ve finished torquing down the hull nut on the transducer. However, the isolation sleeve must be below the hull nut to prevent the sleeve from interfering with tightening the nut. Ask Ken: Install a Transducer Without Drilling a Hole in the Hull. This SS175 is a stainless steel semi-flush mushroom thru-hull. Method 1: Substitute Transom . I cant remember the name of it but its in a 2 colored tube. For full keel sailboats, locate the transducer amidships and away from the keel at the point of minimum deadrise angle. deep can adversely affect the performance of the boat and put the transducer at risk of striking underwater objects. Think of it as a sensor that detects what’s under your boat. This will ensure there is marine sealant in the threads to seal the hull and hold the hull nut securely in place. You will need to drill holes so this could be impracticle as well as dangerous (if using an electric drill). When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The next step is to tape off the hull with blue #2090 masking tape. Overall, the process of installing your fishfinder starts with picking out the best place for your transducer. Provide a fill spout and cap to add fluid. Refer to the fishfinder owner’s manual to connect the transducer to the instrument. Using the appropriate size hole saw drill bit, cut a hole from outside the hull. If the transducer will be located in an area in the hull that holds water, place the transducer against the hull and allow bilge water to cover the surface where the transducer touches the hull. Messages 1,812 Reaction score 1,043 Points 237 Location Downingtown, PA Boat Make Yamaha Year 2018 Boat Model AR Boat Length 21 Apr 28, 2020 #1 Installed a Garmin Chirp transducer on my ar210. The transom mount gets placed in such a way that the transducer just submerged in the water. “Being selective when choosing your transducer turns your fishfinder into a more refined tool,” said Cushman. If “---” readings appear or the readings are noticeably different from the depth displayed when the transducer was hung over the side of the boat, you will need to find another location. Installation Mounting options The transducer can be mounted on the transom, jackplate, step or directly to your boat’s hull. If the readings are similar, mark the spot in the hull and proceed to # 7. Joined 23 Nov 2011 Messages 697 Location Nelson New Zealand. Larger boats or boats with inboard motors create turbulence that make transom mounting ineffective. I've done that. Latest. I've done that. These transducers demand careful installation. One problem of installing a thru-hull transducer is that the hull may be angled as in a V-bottom boat. This shoots the transducer beam at an angle, not directly downward. Turn the transducer until the number on the rim that corresponds with deadrise is directly over the alignment boss closest to the keel. Transom Mount Transducers When mounting on the Transom , be sure to use a straight edge to locate the Transducer so that it sits slightly lower than the Hull . Choose an accessible spot inside the vessel with adequate space for the height of the transducer stem and for getting a big wrench around it when tightening the hull nut. If the cable must be cut and spliced, use Airmar’s splash-proof Junction Box (33-035, available by Special Order) and follow the instructions supplied. Choose a location with a minimal deadrise angle, unless you’re installing the appropriate tilted element transducer for your hull’s shape. Note that very small leaks may not be immediately obvious. The starboard side of the hull where the propeller blades are moving downward provides a cleaner flow of water. A transducer serves as an antenna for a boat's sonar system. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Look for an area of least turbulance when Underway. Take care to align the transducer with the blunt/button/arrow end facing forward toward the bow. For displacement hull powerboats, locate the transducer 1/3 of the way along the LWL and 6" to 12" off the centerline. P.S. I bought a cheap fish finder with transom mount transducer. Boating Magazine may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Installing the mounting accessories on the back of a boat If you mount a transducer on aluminum using screws, it is recommended to use the drill bit extension to extend the upper part of the hub to thread the bolt head up to the upper layer of the gel coat. Thread the transducer cable through the fairing (if used). Shop now. Before you splash the boat for a test run, make sure the 5200 you used to seal the transducer mounting holes has had plenty of time to dry. 1. If installing a stainless steel transducer in a metal hull, be sure the isolation sleeve is between the transducer stem and the hull (see Figure 3). This transducer is suitable for vessels with the following hull types: High speed boats to increase the performance of the depth sounder. Proceed to # 6. That is part of the drain install. If a leak is observed, repeat “Bedding” and “Installing” immediately. I've been doing a little research on the topic and have seen several options. Sand and clean the area around the hole, inside and outside, to ensure the marine sealant will adhere properly to the hull. When mounting the transducer, make sure it does not interfere with the carrying of the boat. Adjust the cutting fence so the fairing will be cut in about two equal parts (see Figure 2). For planing hull powerboats, mount it well aft near the centerline and well inboard of the first set of lifting strakes to ensure that it is in contact with the water at high speeds. For installations in a wood hull, allow for the wood to swell before tightening the nut. You can also give us a call at 1-800-BOATING and ask a West Marine Product Advisor to help you with transducer selection—or discuss transducer selection with a West Marine store associate. And they did me a solid by replacing the OEM transducer with the new Garmin 54cv one.