Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

[VTmurtha]

I think I have trailer issues. (Well, I'd rather blame the trailer than the boat!)

I have a 19ft Stingray cuddy sitting on bunks on the trailer. I'm not sure where to mount my new transducer so it won't hit the trailer bunks.

See attached pic. You can see the stock transducer jimmy-rigged on the mount (I know it's too high, broke off when hitting the trailer bunks so we scabbed it on the higher mounting hole for a short term fix.)

I bought a Garmin GPS/fishfinder and a new transducer for it. Where should I mount it? I don't want the trailer bunks to hit it, but I also don't want it too close to the prop or too far outboard near the lateral edge of the hull. The boat has to be slid up that far up on the bunks to balance correctly on the trailer (we adjusted it so it would ride better).

Thoughts? Can I mount it 6" in from the outside edge of the hull or is there vortices and dirty flow there? How far inboard can I mount it where it won't get dirty prop flow? (There's a spline right where I'd like to mount it, just left of the bunk.)

Thanks!

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

Doesn't look like you can move it to the right any. I'm not sure how far to the left you can go before you get prop interference. How about cutting the bunks a little shorter so you wouldn't have to move the transducer.

 

[Seon]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

It looks like the transducer clears the board. But if you must, you could either move it outboard or position your bow stop further back so that the boat's transom is even with the end of the board.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

I agree with HAVE2FISH. I would just cut the bunk..

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

The boat has to be slid up that far up on the bunks to balance correctly on the trailer

The axles on some trailers are held on using large U-bolts. It might be possible to reposition the boat farther back on the trailer (so the bunks are flush with the transom) and then move the axle further back to achieve the correct tongue weight. I did this on my trailer with good results. Note that moving the axle too far forward could have bad stability results, but moving it back will not affect the stability providing the tongue weight is correct. Just a suggestion...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

Move the winch post back where it belongs and adjust the axle position backward to compensate. No reason to butcher the bunks. Also, the old transducer is mounted way too high.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

I would not fiddle with the trailer at all. If your tongue weight is correct now I'd leave it be. The transom is exactly where it should be...directly over the rearmost cross member. Moving things around like that will only increase or decrease tongue weight. We cannot see the entire bunk in your photo, but it could be that if you flipped them end to end, you might have less extending aft and more extending forward. There are some solutions; however, for you transducer.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

That's a simple fix. Move it to the right half way between where it is now and the chine. Angle it straight down. Thus, part will be protruding below the hull. You want it to wet out anyway. You will have a slight rooster tail but the transducer will work 100%. My son has the same boat and thats where his is.

 

[VTmurtha]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

Has anyone else mounted their transducer ~8" inboard of the edge of the hull? Are there any turbulence issues?

That's definitely the easiest solution...

 

[Triton II]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

My Garmin transducer is mounted inboard of the bunk... hope this pic shows it OK as it's black on black!

No performance or clearance issues whatsoever. Looking at your transom I'd go out towards the chine.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

For me, after 25 years of doing it, there is only one place (well 2 places) for the transducer. One is inside just in front of the transom in an area of no-low turbulence with a solid bottom through the water (installed with a hard epoxy) and the other is on the bottom of my trolling motor. Every other place just SUCKS. My opinion and worth every penny you paid for it.

Mark

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

with a single layer hull, you can also see if Garmin makes a Humminbird thru hull transducer. Humminbird will exchange your external one for the in hull mount one. They appear to work well but again, I don't know if Garmin makes one for your unit.

However, it won't help with water temperature, and you'd need a separate feed if your motor doesn't provide that info.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

Has anyone else mounted their transducer ~8" inboard of the edge of the hull? Are there any turbulence issues?

That's definitely the easiest solution...

In reverse or slow forward, as in trolling, will you boil water into the transom. Accelerating forward or at speed, the water from the prop is jetted aft..not toward the boat. We have mounted transducers from one side of the boat to the other with twin outboards or I/Os and singles. The only time we might experience an issue would be in a turn if mounted too far outboard.

 

[MRS]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

If your trailer tows good the way it is you do not have to move boat or axle. But you got to trim them bunk boards they are way to long look at other boats on trailers and you will see. Then you can move over to the right a little and you will be good to go. It will be a easy fix and you will not bust another transducer off if you keep the boards that long you will probably bust another one sooner or later....

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

...inside just in front of the transom in an area of no-low turbulence with a solid bottom through the water (installed with a hard epoxy)

That's how I'd do it, mount it shoot thru-hull. My old glass boat had the ducer mounted in the bilge 12" from the transom, it was like that for 9 years without problems. You can use your existing ducer, but there is a specific procedure to make sure it's works properly.

 

[mciaio]

Re: Transducer mounting location? trailer issues...

\My opinion and worth every penny you paid for it.

Mark

LOL!