Transducer Woes-gctid395107

[Guest]

Greetings All,I recently purchased a Garmin 441s and am ready to install it and the transducer. I have a transom mount transducer and after doing some research I've discovered the best place to put it is at a straight edge on the transom. I am including a picture to show where I think this should be:

[img]/media/kunena/attachments/vb/698763=29140-IMG_1206.jpg[/img]However, my problem is that the tie down strap runs directly over that area (including a picture of that as well). My concern is that it will definitely cause damage to the transducer during transport:

[img]/media/kunena/attachments/vb/698763=29141-IMG_1203.jpg[/img]Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions other then going with a thru-hull mount? Maybe some kind of protective cover?Thanks!

[Guest]

Do you have the option of a shoot thru your hull transducer. it would mount in you bilge without drilling thru your hull. also i know some people who mounted the transom mount transducer as a shoot thru and it worked perfect.

[Guest]

It really doesn't have to go on the straight section of your hull that you are referring to. It does however need to be level. That said I would check what Garmin says about how close it can be to your outdrive and I would move it a little to the left in the photo and use a level.

Just make sure it won't run into any roller or bunks while loading onto your trailer.

[bhawes]

Can you mount it on the flat surface further out? That area should still be well under water while under way, as long as it avoids your bunks. Another option is to add on hold downs in a different position on your trailer frame.

[msd58]

I thought it was common knowledge to NOT mount your transducer at a lifting strake. Causes turbulence and you get poor performance from your transducer

[Guest]

jamie mac wrote:
Do you have the option of a shoot thru your hull transducer. it would mount in you bilge without drilling thru your hull. also i know some people who mounted the transom mount transducer as a shoot thru and it worked perfect.

I really want to be able to get water temperature, which is the reason I chose a transom mount transducer. Apparently there are shoot-thru ones that can get the water temp but those appear to be about $200, well over twice the price I paid for my transom mount.

Thanks.

[Guest]

bhawes wrote:
Can you mount it on the flat surface further out? That area should still be well under water while under way, as long as it avoids your bunks. Another option is to add on hold downs in a different position on your trailer frame.

Hmmm... didn't even think about that, but that should work. I was just trying to stay close to the outdrive (based on what I've seen on other boats). That might be my answer.

Thanks!

[Guest]

msd58 wrote:
I thought it was common knowledge to NOT mount your transducer at a lifting strake. Causes turbulence and you get poor performance from your transducer

Based on the suggestion that I got from BHawes, do you think that would be an issue to have it further to the right?

Thanks.

[bhawes]

I've had mine on lifting strakes for 40 years and they've all worked flawlessly. I use it more for fishing than high speed operation, so it's never been a problem. If you're using your depth sounder for navigation at high speeds, you're already on the rocks before you see them on your screen.

[Guest]

The flat spot you're pointing at is the lift strake. It is designed to help hold the air under the hull at planing speed. I wouldn't place the t-ducer in-line with a lift strake.

[Guest]

I had the exact same problem recently, I installed a Lowrance Elite-4 in my Capri 2050. I mounted the TD about halfway from the spot you indicated, and the center of the outdrive. This is almost exactly at the minimum distance recommended by Lowrance, and it allowed the cable to go straight up and into the hull at what seemed to be the best spot. As long as the inside edge of the TD is even with the bottom of the boat and parallel to the ground, it should work fine.

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Support/Tips-and-Tutorials/Installation-Guide/

[Guest]

myflies wrote:
The flat spot you're pointing at is the lift strake. It is designed to help hold the air under the hull at planing speed. I wouldn't place the t-ducer in-line with a lift strake.

Thanks for that info!

[Guest]

gregj wrote:
I had the exact same problem recently, I installed a Lowrance Elite-4 in my Capri 2050. I mounted the TD about halfway from the spot you indicated, and the center of the outdrive. This is almost exactly at the minimum distance recommended by Lowrance, and it allowed the cable to go straight up and into the hull at what seemed to be the best spot. As long as the inside edge of the TD is even with the bottom of the boat and parallel to the ground, it should work fine.

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Support/T...llation-Guide/

Thanks... the link to the instructions you provided show the same place that Garmin suggests I put it as well.

[Guest]

Below is a picture of the transducer of the previous echo sounder on my boat. The bottom of the transducer is parallel with the surface of the water, not the hull. The transducer for my newer echo sounder is located a lot closer to the outdrive. I wanted the t-ducer to be as close to the bottom of the boat as possible.



I eventually wound up reversing the location of the t-ducer and speed wheel before the echo sounder would work at planing speed. Guess I needed to get the t-ducer a little further away from the lift strake.

[Guest]

After all the feedback and reading the instructions again from Garmin, I plan on doing what is suggested by them and keeping my fingers crossed (despite what other sites suggest to do).

Much thanks from this newbie for all your suggestions. BOC is the best!