Transducer Installation

[koutroul]

Hello,

I have a Maxum 1900 SR3 boat with extended swimming platform (I/O mercruiser).
I would like to install a 1KW transducer (M260 or TM 260) or even a 2KW(R199).
Can you please advice what kind is better to install (In Hull or Transom) and if I should I avoid any type?

Can you also advice on the best place to install it?

Pictures of Boat Hull:
http://boats.iboats.com/2007-19-maxu...c/1100531.html


BR,
Marios
koutroul is online now Report Post Edit/Delete Message

 

[dingbat]

Re: Transducer Installation

Hello,

I have a Maxum 1900 SR3 boat with extended swimming platform (I/O mercruiser).
I would like to install a 1KW transducer (M260 or TM 260) or even a 2KW(R199).
Can you please advice what kind is better to install (In Hull or Transom) and if I should I avoid any type?

Can you also advice on the best place to install it?

Pictures of Boat Hull:
http://boats.iboats.com/2007-19-maxu...c/1100531.html


BR,
Marios
koutroul is online now Report Post Edit/Delete Message

What is your primary goal, depth or definition? What sounder are you going to connect it to? You could transdom mount the TM260 put it's roughly the size and weight of a brick. You can forget the M260 unless you want to tear the floor up to install it. The B164 is the least obtrusive of the bunch but it requires putting a 115 mm diameter hole in the bottom of the boat.

 

[koutroul]

Re: Transducer Installation

My primary goal is around 200meters but sometime I can also go for deeper fishing (max 700m).

For the TM i am afraid that the hull structure will create air bubbles and not work correctly. Is that true???

What do you mean by tear the floor up (about M260)? Can i install it under the engine?

For B164 I would prefer not to drill a hole. But if it would be the best choice there is one hole already under the engine which I can use. There is currently a dummy transducer (though hull) that is used only as depth finder and i can remove this and don't create another hall.

What is your primary goal, depth or definition? What sounder are you going to connect it to? You could transdom mount the TM260 put it's roughly the size and weight of a brick. You can forget the M260 unless you want to tear the floor up to install it. The B164 is the least obtrusive of the bunch but it requires putting a 115 mm diameter hole in the bottom of the boat.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Transducer Installation

Transom mounts can be problematic at speed if you don't have a good installation. I know 2 guys running TM and they don't have any complaints. The M260 requires roughly 225 mm of vertical space. If you have that much room under the motor go for it.

You could use a 744 (1kW) and a fairing block if you want a thru-hull w/o a large hole. Not the best solutiuon if you trailer the boat.

What sounder are you installing?

 

[koutroul]

Re: Transducer Installation

I am installing a Garmin GSD24. Yes I trailer the boat.. So should I stay away from though-hull?
My boat reaches around 35Kts. I saw a video on youtube of an FCV-585 using a TM260 with any issue at 50mph!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3PWWiKaCFc

TM also come with temp sensor and its easy to move to a new boat when I change boat.

However I dont understand what is best and if something is a no go or better to avoid.

Transom mounts can be problematic at speed if you don't have a good installation. I know 2 guys running TM and they don't have any complaints. The M260 requires roughly 225 mm of vertical space. If you have that much room under the motor go for it.

You could use a 744 (1kW) and a fairing block if you want a thru-hull w/o a large hole. Not the best solutiuon if you trailer the boat.

What sounder are you installing?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Transducer Installation

I am installing a Garmin GSD24. Yes I trailer the boat.. So should I stay away from though-hull?
My boat reaches around 35Kts. I saw a video on youtube of an FCV-585 using a TM260 with any issue at 50mph!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3PWWiKaCFc

TM also come with temp sensor and its easy to move to a new boat when I change boat.

However I dont understand what is best and if something is a no go or better to avoid.

You can't determine which one is the best until you figure out the best at what? Depth, speed and definition don't come in one package.

Depth is detemined by the power and speed. A 1kW transducer can see deeper than a 600W unit but...you are not going to hold bottom on plane much past 200M, if that, no matter how much power you have. Seeing bottom at 700M probably isn't going to happen either. You're certianly not going to be able to see fish at those depths

Speed is a function of the installation. Any decent sounder/ transducer combo with work at speed when properly installed. Don't go out and spend $2.5 K on a combo and expect them to work any better with anything less than a perfect installation.


I'm running a FCV585 with Airmar B164 thru hull transducer. I have no problems with the ?flush mount? transducer with the boat in a trailer since they only stick out of the hull by 6 mm or so. In fact, my transducer sits on a roller from time to time.

I do not have a problem holding bottom (>150m) at 38 mph. I can pick up a school of fish with no problems at speed but individuals or groups of fish are blurred beyond identification.

 

[koutroul]

Re: Transducer Installation

Correct me if I am wrong.

You can't determine which one is the best until you figure out the best at what? Depth, speed and definition don't come in one package.

I thought in any way just bigger speed means less depth and vice versa. Also I understood that bigger power will help seeing more deep compared to less power (at any speed, if we are comparing same speed using higher and lower power transducers.

Depth is detemined by the power and speed. A 1kW transducer can see deeper than a 600W unit but...you are not going to hold bottom on plane much past 200M, if that, no matter how much power you have. Seeing bottom at 700M probably isn't going to happen either. You're certianly not going to be able to see fish at those depths

So if I am not going to see fish in over 200M depth then why to use a transducer at those depths? If not even seeing bottom then why to use the finder at this depths and spend so much money to get a 2KW or more when you can reach the same depth with a 1KW. Is there any boundary at 700m or there is something I understood wrong?

Speed is a function of the installation. Any decent sounder/ transducer combo with work at speed when properly installed. Don't go out and spend $2.5 K on a combo and expect them to work any better with anything less than a perfect installation.

I was thinking to ask my boat mechanic to do the installation but like you describe I must find a fish-finder expert to do the installation. Is that true?

I'm running a FCV585 with Airmar B164 thru hull transducer. I have no problems with the ?flush mount? transducer with the boat in a trailer since they only stick out of the hull by 6 mm or so. In fact, my transducer sits on a roller from time to time.

Boat is usually in the water but once month I may take it out on trailer (thats why I did anti-fouling). So I must stay away from thru-hull transducers because I may damage them with the trailer? In case I go with thru-hull I must go with flush mount thru-hull to avoid this problem?

I do not have a problem holding bottom (>150m) at 38 mph. I can pick up a school of fish with no problems at speed but individuals or groups of fish are blurred beyond identification.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Transducer Installation

I thought in any way just bigger speed means less depth and vice versa. Also I understood that bigger power will help seeing more deep compared to less power (at any speed, if we are comparing same speed using higher and lower power transducers.

This is the correct. Your 50 MPH reading are only going to happen in shallow water

So if I am not going to see fish in over 200M depth then why to use a transducer at those depths? If not even seeing bottom then why to use the finder at this depths and spend so much money to get a 2KW or more when you can reach the same depth with a 1KW. Is there any boundary at 700m or there is something I understood wrong?

You will see fish at 200 M. I see “ghost” at 350 M. 90% of our fishing is done in 100M of the water or less. Even out in the canyons (600-1000m) we are not bottoming fishing. Where looking for pelagics in the top 300’ of the water column.

Read this thoroughly. Pay attention to the section of frequency and howe they affect depth and resolution. This will answer a lot of your questions
http://www.airmartechnology.com/uploads/installguide/Theory_of_ Operations.pdf

I was thinking to ask my boat mechanic to do the installation but like you describe I must find a fish-finder expert to do the installation. Is that true?

Did a plumber wire your home?

Boat is usually in the water but once month I may take it out on trailer (thats why I did anti-fouling). So I must stay away from thru-hull transducers because I may damage them with the trailer? In case I go with thru-hull I must go with flush mount thru-hull to avoid this problem?

You can use an external thru hull as long as you strategically locate it so you don’t damage it putting in on the trailer. I used a flush mount so I didn’t have to worry about it.

If you realy want to fish that deep you'll need to go to the Garmin GSD 26 CHIRP sounder and get an appropriate broadband transducer. Now you;re really running up the cost