Re: Help Transducer Placement on Fishmaster 1960
A great source for allot of HB side imaging info, including transducer placement:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sideimaging/
OK, getting a good left and right SI, along with good 2D at speed, can be a big challenge. Keep in mind, that the proffesional SI systems generally use a tow-fish that is a ways behind the boat, clear of any obstructions or wakes.
For the best SI, boat needs to be traveling in a general straight line at about 3-12mph. While it can track at higher speeds, allot of detail gets lost. For 2D at speed, the transducer needs to be slightly below the bottom of the boat. Where you have the bracket mounted, I would have expected a good right side SI, a partially blocked left side SI (motor, other obstructions), and 2D, upto 5-6mph, when you are probably getting allot of turbulance of the water.
Suggestions:
- Do not keep drilling new holes in boat.
- Purchase portable (suction cup) bracket for Compact SI transducer.
- Test all possible locations, before final decission.
- Get good SI first, then 2D.
- Only go upto 15-20mph max, and make sure transducer can not reach prop, in case it comes off.
- Once location found, use starboard or transducer plate, permanantly mounted.
- Can drill numerous holes in plate without going into transom.
HB does offer a few products to help on real troublesome boats.
- A Y-splitter cable = SI on current transducer, 2D on a seperate (need to purchase) 2D transducer. This allows for seperate placement, and easier to accomplish the goals above. Also can use an inhull 2D transducer, with transom SI.
- A SI Y-splitter cable = seperate transducer for left, and a (need to purchase) to get ideal left and right SI images.