Where to mount my transducer?

infowire

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 10, 2018
Messages
33
I have a

GT56UHD-TM​

Garmin-GT54UHD-TM-A.jpg
Instructions says it has to be 15" from the prop.

But i don't have 15"

Captugre.JPG



my boat

IMG_20210708_110856_1 (1).jpg


Any idea what should i do ?
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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49,581
first, put the tape measure on your transom, and not 4 feet away

second, mark the CL of your transom, put a line 15" from the CL. then turn your motor full right turn and see if you have clearance. if so, then mount the transducer.
 

mr 88

Commander
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Nov 3, 2010
Messages
2,180
Let me get this straight , motor is centered and you do " not have 15" of clearance . So your telling us your boat is less than 30" wide ? Uhhh OK . Looking at your picture I would install it on the outside of your roller bunk.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
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Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,082
I had the opposite problem when installing a GT51-M-TM

The side viewing feature puts pretty restrictive demands on location and orientation of the transducer relative to the lower unit since the side beam has to pass between the transom and the lower leg.

In my case, I had to move my transducer mounting board to get the transducer closer to center lines as to not “clip” the lower unit with the beam.

Distance from prop wasn’t much of a concern as long as The transducer is not not directly in prop wash. I’m 15” off center line and still get a good bit of interference when backing up.

In your case, you went with the ultra unit. The ultra’s 1,000 kHz is very sensitive to any type of turbulence in its path. To the point that even prop wash distorts the signal. Thus the requirement to locate the transducer 15” from the circumference of the prop.

The Ultra makes great pictures, but it has to be setup perfectly and it not so good on anything but flat smooth water.

From the looks of your transom, you’ll will have issues with the built up bottom paint as well.
 

infowire

Seaman Apprentice
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Jun 10, 2018
Messages
33
So the 15" its just for the prop not hitting it ? They could of said said in the instructions. thought it something have to do with side view imaging.

IMG_20210709_145405_1.jpgIMG_20210709_145427.jpgIMG_20210709_145503.jpgIMG_20210709_145503.jpg


Pretty much ill get correct images in still water or going slow? correct
 
Last edited:

dingbat

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Nov 20, 2001
Messages
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So the 15" its just for the prop not hitting it ? They could of said said in the instructions. thought it something have to do with side view imaging.

Pretty much ill get correct images in still water or going slow?
Not sure how you came to that conclusion from my comments above.
The ultra’s 1,000 kHz is very sensitive to any type of turbulence in its path. To the point that even prop wash distorts the signal. Thus the requirement to locate the transducer 15” from the circumference of the prop.

Also pay attention to my comments about bottom paint
 

infowire

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Jun 10, 2018
Messages
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Not sure how you came to that conclusion from my comments above.


Also pay attention to my comments about bottom paint
I'm sorry i am just a newb who doesn't understand these thing yet. So what am i looking at the paint water levels gunk? 15" That's the most a i could turn the wheel to the right.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
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Nov 20, 2001
Messages
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Take 1/2 the diameter of your prop and add 15”+ 1” . This is the distance from the center line of the boat to the center line of the transducer.

Old paint, as well as anything else on the bottom, creates turbulence as the water flows over the bottom of the boat. That turbulence will interfere with the sounder.

Get enough interference and the unit will function. Absolute pain to get it to read at all speeds.

They advertise you can side scan up to 7 mph. I say the number is closer to 5 mph
 

infowire

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Jun 10, 2018
Messages
33
Take 1/2 the diameter of your prop and add 15”+ 1” . This is the distance from the center line of the boat to the center line of the transducer.

Old paint, as well as anything else on the bottom, creates turbulence as the water flows over the bottom of the boat. That turbulence will interfere with the sounder.

Get enough interference and the unit will function. Absolute pain to get it to read at all speeds.

They advertise you can side scan up to 7 mph. I say the number is closer to 5 mph
thank you.
 

infowire

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Is that want you meant ?
 

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infowire

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Jun 10, 2018
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i measure so the transducer would be right after the gray roller but its on a littlie fin what ever its called.
 

dingbat

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Is that want you meant ?
No… the tip of the blade.

Assuming your running a 13-14” diameter prop….14/2= 7 +16” = 23” from centerline of boat

If you can’t do that, mount it at a location where you can and live with the results.

If your not far enough away one side of side scan will have issues.

Expect to make many adjustments to get the transducer oriented so it work at speed.
 

Alumarine

Captain
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Feb 22, 2005
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Something like this is handy so you can move the transducer around without drilling new holes.
 

roscoe

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Oct 30, 2002
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First of all, it looks like the boat is too far forward on the trailer.
Appears the boat has rolled/fallen forward of the roller on the port side, and is about to on the starboard side.
So adjust the trailer and move the boat back 1.5 - 2"

Then mount the transduce directly behind the roller.
 

infowire

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Jun 10, 2018
Messages
33
First of all, it looks like the boat is too far forward on the trailer.
Appears the boat has rolled/fallen forward of the roller on the port side, and is about to on the starboard side.
So adjust the trailer and move the boat back 1.5 - 2"

Then mount the transduce directly behind the roller.
Yeah i noticed that too, need to adjust it. You need the gray roller on the left after that ?
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
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Jul 27, 2007
Messages
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First of all, it looks like the boat is too far forward on the trailer.
Appears the boat has rolled/fallen forward of the roller on the port side, and is about to on the starboard side.
So adjust the trailer and move the boat back 1.5 - 2"

Then mount the transduce directly behind the roller.
This is the correct answer. That's the proper location. It should not be directly behind the little fin thingy because that will cause turbulence and affect the readings.

This is a Garmin, not a cheepy $89 unit. The owners / installation manual should be QUITE detailed and provide all the info you need.
 

infowire

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Jun 10, 2018
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I connected Garmin and they told me to go to installer. I am just going mess around with the Portable Transducer Bracket. I did read the manual, best thing its to try different positions myself. Thank you for all your help. Ill trying mounting it after the roller.
 

JimS123

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Jul 27, 2007
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The portable bracket is for a portable unit like what you would use on a rental boat. It's not really all that secure. You won't be happy with it.
 

infowire

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Jun 10, 2018
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The portable bracket is for a portable unit like what you would use on a rental boat. It's not really all that secure. You won't be happy with it.
I'm gonna just set what position I'm mount by trying it out with the bracket.
 
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