\"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

I have just purchaced Garmin's new 198c plotter/sounder and was wondering if anyone has had luck mounting their transducers inside their 23's.I don't like the idea of more screws in my transom and would like to "Shoot Through" the hull if poss.
Donnie

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

I have never mounted a transducer that way myself on my 23CC I put a Big hole through the bottom of my boat along the center line and mounted it flush to the bottom. On all my previous boats I mounted them on the transom and was Never very happy with the results. Emotionally, Drilling That Big Football Type Hole in the Bottom of my Boat was a great barrier but after I finished up the job doing it “The Best Way” I would never do it any other way again.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

I purchased the "shoot-through" transducer from Airmar for my 320C, the one that mounts in a cup of mineral oil in the bilge. The first one I got was a lemon and had to be returned. The replacement they sent me seems to work fine but you don't have temperature details. Give Airmar a ring to find out the exact model number.

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

I have a 1960 Boston Whaler that I have redone. I was not crazy about drilling new hole into the transom to mount a transducer. What I ended up doing was took a small King Straboard and mounted on the transom with 5200 and then mounted the transducer to the starboard. It has held up without any problems. Just a thought

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

Thanks underdog that was going to be my next step before I drill.
I will call Airmar today and see what they say.
If I do go to a transom mount what are your ideas on placement for the transducer?
I really want to put this thing inside though,I get surface seawater temp through the verado's smartcraft so that is not an issue.
Thanks guys any ideas would be great.
Donnie

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

It's not a question of if it will come loose, it's when. When it happens, the whole assembly will come swinging into the cockpit at a high velocity. The danger can be mitigated by securely fastening the cable to the transom so that it simply smashes into the splash well instead of on someone's head. The cable should be fastened in that manner on all transom installations because debris in the water can break off even a securely mounted transducer.

FWIW, I installed the stock ‘ducer from a 320C in my bilge using PVC parts to make a reservoir. It seems to work fine and all speeds.

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

I was under the impression that 5200 does not stick to starboard very well.

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

Roger,
You have my attention.
You used the stock transducer which I like any specs on what you built out of pvc? Do you have it submurged in oil? Inquireing minds want to know.
Donnie

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

Good point Rodger, I should have been more clear. I have installed the clips. Not only dose it keep it neat but it dose provide an element of saftey. I suppose that ones screwed into the hull if not checked could fly off. So Far 3 years of use shows no signs of weakness.

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

I am in the process of installing the Airmar M260 to the Furuno BBFF1 sounder on my 20'.

I will post result on "Big Bird" in a few weeks .....

- Nick

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

Donny
I have the Airmar P79 shoot thru xducer in my 23, with the Garmin 2006C.That's the one with the cup that you fill with mineral oil. Works like a charm.I never lose bottom at any speed, it picks up everything.Nothing sticking out the bottom, no holes to drill, fairly inexpensive and easy to install.I like it.
Bill

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

I agree with "Fellowship" It's very easy to cut thru the center of the keel and glass it in. I can run WOT and my Furuno 582L w/ Airmar ducer prints perfectly at all depths [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Here is an old thread with some pictures
Thru Hull

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

Just a thought here, a few months ago Boating magazine did a test on all 3 mounting methods for transducers and found that the worst one for good resolution was the shoot-through method. It took away a lot of resolution and power from the unit and failed to spot targets the other methods located. Of course the best method is the thru-hull with the transom mount in the middle. Mine's transom mounted and works great, just follow the method of oversize holes filled with epoxy and it shouldn't be a problem. My transom mount has been there since 1999 and there has been no deterioration of the area so it works well. Good luck with your decision!

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

Capt Chuck,
any time I can see that much gravel throurgh the bottom of the boat "very easy" is not what comes to mind!
Easy perhaps but "very" may be a stretch!
I would like to try the inside thing 1st.Dad just bought the exact same unit and will put it on the transom of the 23 Albury Bros he is rigging so I will have a quick quality comparison and decide if I will take the "easy" way out.
Donnie

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

One of the best transducer's I can recommend is Airmar's Tilted Element X-ducer. It take's a 2 3/8in hole.[Airmar's website say's 2in hole. WRONG!] It stick's out beyond the surface of the hull aprox 3/16in.

I put this unit on a '88 254 Mako [23 1/2 deg deadrise] It is hooked to a Furuno 600L. The X-ducer is a 600watt unit. It paint's a perfect pix at any speed.

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

The stock 'ducer is a little to big for 4" PVC. So I glued a 4" coupling to a 4" cleanout with 5200. The coupling is at the bottom and cut at the angle of the deadrise. The ducer is kept straight with a couple scraps of pvc glued inside. The cleanout plug is drilled to allow the plug to pass through. The unit is glued to the hull with 5200 and filled with mineral oil.

FWIW, re the 5200 and Starboard, I do not have direct experience with how well it works. I came across this at the King Starboard site though: " Products like 3M's 5200 work well as a water sealing caulk but will not adhere StarBoard to itself or other materials in a permanent bond."

Re: \"Shoot Through\"transducer luck
 

I have a shoot through transducer. Here's how the local electronics shop suggested I install it. Install the finder and run the transducer down into the bilge. Take a ride out to 40-50 ft. of water. Move the ducer around until you find the best location. Put a big glob of 4200 where you want to put the ducer. Work the ducer into the 4200 until it is firmly against the hull. Let the 4200 set up and you're done.I've had my ducer installed like this for 8-10 years.Works like a charm. The center line is usually a poor location being that it's the thickest section of the hull.