"Shoot Through"transducer luck

[SCSeacraft]

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

[FELLOW-SHIP]

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]

[Mark]

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.

[whaler]

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

[SCSeacraft]

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

[RS]

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

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.

[Briguy]

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

[SCSeacraft]

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

[RS]

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."

[whaler]

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.