This is the response I just received from Raymarine. Since I will be using it mostly for trolling I will be mounting it port side of the main motor. Thanks for the replies and info on the glue. Now I just need to figure where to attach the "drain" wire.
Reply by
Moderator - Raymarine, US yesterday Welcome to the Raymarine Technical Forum Jon,
I suspect that you will find that the kicker features a right hand rotation prop as well. Mounting the Dragonfly between the kicker and the main engine will subject the transducer to back pressure when operating the kicker. Similarly, installing the transducer on the port side will subject the transducer to back pressure when operating the main engine. If using the product primarily for fishing and operating at trolling speeds (i.e. using the kicker), it is recommended that the transducer be installed on the port side of the transom. If using the product primarily for fishing and being propelled primarily via the main engine, then it is recommended that the transducer be installed between the main engine and the kicker.
Rather than mount the transducer directly to the transom, you may want to consider mounting the transducer to a
transducer mounting plate. Transducer mounting plates are commonly available as an aftermarket fishfinder accessory, these mounting plates (commonly produced from King Starboard or similar material) are affixed to the transom and the transducer(s) are then screwed to the mounting plate. As the transducers are screwed to the mounting plate rather than the boat's transom, the number of holes drilled into the transom will be limited to those required to secure the mounting plate to the transom. Should it be necessary to relocate a transducer, no additional holes need be drilled into the transom as long as the transducer mounting plate is sufficiently long enough to accommodate the transducer's new mounting location.
For optimum performance, a transducer must remain in contact with the water, have a non-aerated flow of water passing beneath it, and no be subjected to back pressure from the prop (such as would potentially be experienced with a right hand rotation prop and a transducer installed on the port side of the prop). The point of locating a transom mounted transducer at the base of the hull is to ensure that it stays in contact with the water at all speeds. Mounting the transducer higher on the transom will result in the surface of the water falling below the transducer as boat's speed increases. This will cause the transducer to not be in contact with the water under such conditions and will adversely affect fishfinder performance.
