Re: Airmar In hull transducers - 600 Watts
 

FWIW, the Airmar P79 in hull uses exactly the same elements as the standard P66 transom mount. If you already have one you can easily use that in your bilge.

The practical side of me says that since this is just a backup unit, wait until the boat is in the water and see how it performs in a wet bilge. Then decide if you want to glue/epoxy/caulk it in there.

I used the P66 in a homemade PVC reservoir and it worked well, but I had problems with long term adhesion to the hull. No combination of recommended caulk/reservoirs filler seemed to last more than a few months. Anyway - the last time the unit came loose on the water I simply left the transducer in the bilge with a little water.

It worked surprisingly well like that, 'though it would sometimes topple onto its side in rough water. Except when it toppled over, I could not see any difference in performance. I used it that way for 1 ½ seasons. Eventually I went with the thru hull that Warthog showed because I wanted temp and a permanent installation.

Re: Airmar In hull transducers - 600 Watts
 

Good point Roger (about trying it out once before sealing it in)

Re: Airmar In hull transducers - 600 Watts
 

Hi Peter-

Just a thought here....

Why the back-up fish finder? If there is one piece of electronics I consider to be dispensable it is the fish finder, I want two GPS units and a second VHF, but a second FF is extra to me, I can live without.

So, how about upgrading the fishfinder to a 585 unit and put a new TD in where you already have one? Just a thought...

Re: Airmar In hull transducers - 600 Watts
 

Hooper,

I already own a Raymarine DS600X. I have owned Furnuno's, and for the money the Raymarine is not too bad.

Also, I already own the Garmin 178C. I want to use the Garmin 178C FF capabilities as a backup to the Raymarine.

If I was starting from scratch, I would consider a Furano.

Re: Airmar In hull transducers - 600 Watts
 

What Furuno model? Do you run your unit's in manual mode or Auto?

Auto uses filters and stuff can be missed. I ALWAYs use Manual mode. Hence the need for knobs to make quick adjustments and no Stupid menus to jump thru.

[QUOTE]
I was thinking of mounting the in hull somewhere behind the seacock,]/quote]

Not a good idea. The scoop on the seacock will create bubbles. the bubble will screw up the pix. I bet you would only get a decent pix with the boat dead still.

Re: Airmar In hull transducers - 600 Watts
 

Very good point. After i wrote it I started to think that maybe it is not such a good idea to install an in hull behind the seacock.

After this stupid snow melts, I will take a good look to see what my in hull location options are.

Re: Airmar In hull transducers - 600 Watts
 

Peter, what did you finally decide to do with our transducer?

Re: Airmar In hull transducers - 600 Watts
 

Hooper,

OK, here's the deal.

I have three FF setups.

First, I have a Raymarine DS600X ff. It is connected to the thru hull transducer setup that the previous owner put in for an old raymarine mono 750L setup. I went with the DS600X because it was the best FF that could work with the current thru hull setup. I am quite happy with the DS600X.

Second, I bought a used Furuno 1850DF GPS NT. I have the GPS setup working, but not the FF. My plans are to drill a hole in my aluminum flotaiton bracket and install a Furuno 525 transom mount ducer.

Lastly, for the Garmin 178C I have bought the Airmar P79 in hull. I found a place about 2 feet behind the Seacock where I will try to install it. My only issue may be that it can be pretty wet down there. We will see.

Peter

Re: Airmar In hull transducers - 600 Watts
 

DO NOT do that.

It might work when the boat is sitting still in the water and that's it. Water turbulence!

Re: Airmar In hull transducers - 600 Watts
 

Wait a minute, are you saying that I can't/should not do a transom mount ducer with a flotation bracket, becuase you believe that there will be a lot of water turbulance?

I was planning on drilling through the top side of the bracket so that I could mount the ducer at the bottom of the 2nd chine (I can't do it by the keel becasue it is a full mount flotation bracket).