transducer mount recommendation

[xsquyz]

I need your opinion on how my transducer is mounted. Where is the preferred location?
Been having issues with false readings. After engine is turned off, it could not replicate the same image.

 

[Boatist]

Re: transducer mount recommendation

In my opinon you have it lined up with one of the skegs. The skeg or step is going to create air bubbles at some speed. When you get air bubbles then it will not get good readings.
If it was my boat I would do 2 things. First I would move your bow stop toward the stern so the end of the bunk is flush with the back of the transom.

If this affects your tongue weight too much then you may need to move your axel back a little.

Then I would move your transducer so it is almost lines up with the bunk. Right now you have your transducer pointed straight down which is very good.

One other thing is if your are going to drill more holes drill them so that both holes are in the middle of you mount so you can loosen and then raise or lower the transducer.

With what you have try moving it to port enough that the starboard bolt will go in the left hole. Put some silicone seal under the mount and let it cure for 48 hours before testing. This may be enough to get away from the air bubbles.

Also you do understand that from speed to stopped in the water on many boats you need to readjust the sensitive. The new units in auto sensitive will try and adjust for you.

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Support/Tips-and-Tutorials/Installation-Guide/

 

[Fireman431]

Re: transducer mount recommendation

Not to counter what Boatist mentioned, but I have always read (and installed) them right at the chine of the hull...right where yours is. However, I have to agree that it is too high and the cavitation(water/air mixture) is going to cause erratic readings. Does it read erratically when under way and read fine when sitting still in the water? Then it is getting air flow under it.

First, try keeping it in the same location and lowering the bracket down until the bottom edge of the bracket it lined up with the bottom of the hull (keeping the transducer perpendicular to the ground). 3M 5200 the old holes, allowing it to cure at least 24 hours before splashing the boat.

The transducer should be under more water at this level, eliminating the errant readings.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: transducer mount recommendation

I will throw this out since it contradicts everyone but agrees with the Eagle/Lowrance "Skimmer" transducer instructions. Transducers should not be installed in-line with a strake which is what this transducer is exactly in-line with. The step should not create a problem. Move the transducer to either side of the strake. As for depth, Skimmers do not run submerged but rather with a line drawn from the bottom of the hull horizontally through the center of the transducer. In other words only 1/2 the transducer is below the hull. Submerging it fully will likely rip the unit from the hull and that would be guranteed upon running over even the smallest debris such as a weed bed or even a small twig. I've owned and installed many of these and can confirm they do not like to be in-line with rows of rivets, strakes, secondary keels, or any other obstruction on the hull.

 

[xsquyz]

Re: transducer mount recommendation

The previous owner have many trial and error holes on the boat. Im basically remounting them where they are originally drilled.

Would this location be ok?

 

[NYBo]

Re: transducer mount recommendation

That's pretty close to the centerline of the boat, and you may have some problems with propwash at speed.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: transducer mount recommendation

Agreed with the current mounting. Mount it between the strake it was originally mounted in-line with and the chine. If the bunk extends past the hull, cut it off to avoid hitting the transducer or move the winch post back so the transom is flush with the end of the bunk.

 

[dingbat]

Re: transducer mount recommendation

You want the transducer as close to the keel as possible to eliminate the possibility of it coming out of the water in turns or in sloppy conditions.

Unless you back troll, I would give the keel location and shot and see how it behaves. My thru-hull transducer is 3? off the keel and 12? in front of the transom and I have no interface whatsoever from the prop.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: transducer mount recommendation

There could be no propwash at speed. Any propwash at speed is jetted aft.

 

[NYBo]

Re: transducer mount recommendation

There could be no propwash at speed. Any propwash at speed is jetted aft.

There will be some wash/turbulence off the blade tips. Perhaps not enough to matter, or perhaps there will be enough to matter. A test is called for.