transom transducer installation

[chiuan]

I am going to install a transducer on the transom of my 17 ft fibreglass I/O boat. Where is the best location for the transducer and what should I do and use to seal off the hole in the upper transducer where the transducer cable goes through. Any diagram will be helpful. I was told to use the "nut" that came witht heh fish finder and a 4220 marine sealant. Pleasse advise. By the way, is there any retractable mounting platform available so that I can mount the unit under the dash. Are there any other things that I should know of to properly install my finder/transducer?<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Andrew

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: transom transducer installation

Try the 3M 5200 fast cure sealant. It is 2X as durable as the 4200 series. Cures faster too.

 

[bossee]

Re: transom transducer installation

Hi,<br />On the right side of the transom seen from behind, assuming it is a right rotating prop in forward gear.<br /><br />It should be slightly outside prop swing radius.<br />Instructions will be in the box with the transducer how to mount it.<br /><br />Sikaflex 291 (or the twice as strong 292) will be fine as sealant for the transducer screws and cable.<br /><br />

 

[chiuan]

Re: transom transducer installation

Thank you so much for giving me the advice on transducer installation, esp the diagram. I have one more question: where can I buy the little two-screw plate that covers the hole (exterior) in the transom where the cable goes through. I cannot find this in my olf model HS-WST Eagle finder (about 15 years old but still working)box. Can I buy this from a mariner or from places like Bass Proshop, where they sell finders?<br /><br />I learn from the TV shows that when I drill through the fibreglass, I should counter-sink the hole a little to avoid stress to the gel coat, is there any other ways to avoid that?<br /><br />Thanks again

 

[Osprey]

Re: transom transducer installation

Why make a hole in the transom for the ducer wire? Run it up and over the transom then through the same rigging access as all the other motor wiring uses.<br /><br />Also the transducer wants smooth water flow over it. Don't mount it aligned with any hull chines, seams, rivets or anything else that would obstruct even water flow.

 

[chiuan]

Re: transom transducer installation

Thanks, Osprey.<br /><br />But my boat is a fibreglass I/O and running the cable over the transom means I have to lay the cable over the back of the hull housing the engine. Should the transducer be submerged or just at the water level?<br /><br />Thanks again

 

[Surffx]

Re: transom transducer installation

Ever thought about just mounting it *inside* the boat? That's what I did...alot easier.

 

[Osprey]

Re: transom transducer installation

Ducer does need to be mounted below the waterline. Marine supply stores have the stainless cover plate shown in the above diagram for the data wire. Use silicone sealer on all the screws and in the transom hole and cover plate.<br /><br />I have heard of people epoxy mounting an external ducer to the bottom inside of the hull but have no experience with this.

 

[cuzner]

Re: transom transducer installation

Hey Andrew, If you drill through your transome to run the cable, make sure you have a large enough bit, you will have to get the plug that goes into the dash unit through it.probably gonna need a spade bit, or small hole saw.It can get messy if you don't drill a big enough hole the time.And coat the inside of the hole good with whatever you you use to seal the hole up with.<br /><br /><br /> Jim

 

[chiuan]

Re: transom transducer installation

Hi Jim:<br /><br />Thanks for the advice again. I think I am not going to drill through the transom. Instead, I'll let the cable out through the air intake, then run it along the rubber bumper strip along the back of the boat and over the bumper strip at the transom and down the bottom below the water line at a position indicated in the diagram above provided by "Bo". I have a speedometer sensor on the side near prop. I guess I can have my transducer a few inches to the right of the speed sensor ans still get a good water flow.<br /><br />By the way, my boat leak was fixed at a marina here. The bellows and the drive shift cable (may be thet-joint ??) were changed for about $750 (Canadian). I think it is a good price. The mechanic told me that with the Alpha one four cylinder I could get 37 -40 mph. I got at least 37 on a calm day and I am happy. The drive shift a bit stiff at some point when shift down and can cause qucik big drop of fuel supply all at a sudden. It is quite uncomfortable. The mechanic told me that for old Merc drives (1990), they are always like that. The newer units are worse and can wear down quicker. Any comments?<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Andrew

 

[cuzner]

Re: transom transducer installation

You did very good as far price for bellows replacement!!! The speed your getting will depend on what size and type of boat your running. 37 sounds good though.You have a 3l mercruiser?<br /><br /> Jim

 

[SeaHorse]

Re: transom transducer installation

After the cheap plastic transducer mount breaks bend a solid one out of aluminum and epoxy the transducer to it.

 

[txswinner]

Re: transom transducer installation

I just used some 3M 5200, it is super but be careful where you get overruns.

 

[chiuan]

Re: transom transducer installation

Hi Jim and other friends:<br /><br />Thank you so much for the valuable advice. I will use the 3M 5200 and will use it for the screw mounts only.<br /><br />My boat is a 17 f/g with the alpha one of 2.5 L, four cylinder. I think I am very happy with speed now.<br /><br />Wise people always like water.<br /><br />Andrew

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: transom transducer installation

Just a tip when using 3M 5200 or Sikaflex 292.<br /><br />I don't fix my external cables (like the transducer cable on the transom) with clips. I just mask off the cable run with two parallel pieces of masking tape, lay down a strip of 292 (which only comes in white), and push the cable into it. Cover the cable with another strip of 292 and wipe smooth with wet finger.<br /><br />It blends so well that you can't see it from ten feet away. And it's straight - unlike the cables, which have a mind of their own.<br /><br />If you always pencil round any fixture (nav lights, etc) and mask off up to the pencil lines, you can bond the fixture with either of these products and always have a crisp, neat edge. And you know it's waterproof.

 

[chiuan]

Re: transom transducer installation

I finally installed my Eagle II FF transducer on the transom of my 171v Traveller. I ran the cable through the air vent/blower hole, along the rubber bumper strip to the top transom, cross over the bumper strip down behind the swim ladder and to the position of the bottom of the transom. The FF transducer is sitting side by side of my speed transducer of about 6 inches from each other. My speed transducer is about the 6 inches away from the prop line. I used 3M 5200 generously in the four screw holes below the water line and for all other fastening screw holes above the water line.<br /><br />Test-run the finder last weekend. The FF worked beautifully without any interference from the hull (water flow) or the prop or the speed transducer. My FF is a protable one. So when I leave my boat for dry storage after use unattended (for a few hours), I can take my FF with me.<br /><br />Now I have to learn to use my Garmin GPSMap 60c to find my fishing locations back after I have marked my waypoints.<br /><br />Again, thank you very much for all the iBoat.com friends in providing valuable suggestions and dirtections for my FF transducer installation.<br /><br />Andrew