Transom Transducer mounting plates

[Outboard guy]

This sight has been so helpful until I got to this topic. Going through some of the old threads made me feel crazy. I have a 1996 aluminum Ranger Cherokee and want to add another transducer on the other side of the hull and don't want to drill holes if possible. The old threads suggested using a mounting plate. Sounded good until I kept hearing nothing sticks to them. Then some one said the plate comes with hardware which would suggest even more drilling than direct application. Unless they are referring to hardware to fasten the transducer to the plate which really would have nothing to do with the topic. Another person said you have to go all the way through on aluminum and bolt it on which sounds insane to me. One person said silicone the plate to the hull. This sounds good but will it hold?. I don't want to use epoxy so strong it would cause more of a mess than a few sheet metal screws. Which brings me to my final point. The original owner or dealer just screwed the Lowrance skimmer right to the Hull. Should I be worried about the core mat?riel getting rotted out ?

 

[RicMic]

Re: Transom Transducer mounting plates

I feel the same way, especially since the previous owner of my aluminum boat, drilled a number of random sized and located holes for various things and I have been in the process of trying to fill or hide them. Fiberglass or wood, no problem filling holes, especially small ones, aluminum, not so easy, unless you don't care what they look like. The transducer mounting plates that are made from Starboard or any other high density polyethylene, nothing sticks to that, so gluing, not an option. You could make a mounting plate from urethane or pvc or aluminum and stick that on with marine adhesive or one of the 3M foam tapes. They use that tape for mouldings and stuff on cars and it ain't coming off until you make it. The secret body shop guys use is a length dental floss and "saw" it off.

 

[sasto]

Re: Transom Transducer mounting plates

Not much sticks to many plastics on the market as they are manufactured using crude oil. If it was mine I would glue (5200) a block of good wood to the transom and screw the ducer to it. Done. I do like the RicMic method too.

 

[Outboard guy]

Re: Transom Transducer mounting plates

Thanks guys. I found a vintage Lindy transducer holder. The thing is built like a steel pipe and fit perfect with a little modification. Allot better than that aluminum one that twist and turns every time the boat moves.

 

[RicMic]

Re: Transom Transducer mounting plates

I actually I did that too on my jon boat, so I could easilly remove the tranducer when I don't need it. I used a piece of rectangular aluminum tubing and an aluminum C clamp to hold it to the transom, works perfectly. The double sided trim tape is made to glue plastic to paint, plastic or metal. It will stick to most plastics, except HDPE or UHMW(polyethylene), which nothing sticks to.

 

[webrx]

Re: Transom Transducer mounting plates

I mounted a piece of square 3/4 inch aluminum to the back of my boat, using some existing (2 vertical) screw holes from the previous owner that are above the waterline. I cut the aluminum off at the bottom of the hull and mounted the transponder bracket to that and the transponder sits about 3/4 inch below the hull, as recommended for an aluminum boat installation for my Garmin Fish Finder. For my Eagle, there is another hole drilled through the square tube that allows the transponder to sit even with the bottom of the boat, as recommended by the installation instructions. both work fine. If interested, I will post pics.

The nice thing is I use a wing nut and lock washer to attach the mounting bracket, so I can easily remove the transponder and cabling at the end of the day.

dave

 

[dew2]

Re: Transom Transducer mounting plates

I guess you fellows dont get the gist of mounting plates,Their long and the screws that hold them on go into the top through the alum hull and into the transom far above the water line.Then the ducer or whatever you mount gets screwed into the bottom of the mount.They work great,yes there are holes I use 4 but their all far above water line.