Depth transducer location?

C-Otter · Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 7:53 pm Post subject:

On my sailboat I mounted my fishfinder transducer on the bottom of the hull (inside) pure fiberglass, worked great for many years. Sand smooth and put 4200 around edges. Mounted it between the Diesel engine mounts aft. C-Otter

journey on · Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 9:15 pm Post subject:

I just installed a Humminbird PiranhaMAX 160 Depth Sounder on the transome of Journey On, to go with the Interphase forward looking depth sounder. Judy wanted one that showed the depths at all times, and the Interphase, which does great work in showing where we're going, gets confused on muddy bottoms and silt. The PiranhaMAX 160 is dual frequency, low for wide angle, high for narrow. I'm surprised at how cheap it was and how well it works. That usually doesn't go together.

The PiranhaMAX 160 was cheap ($82), mounted easily (with the addition of a $25 extension cable) and works great. Judy especially enjoys the fish icons drifting past.

I mounted both on the transome, using a piece of stainless channel to support the transducers, bolting the channel to the transome above the waterline. Since Journey on has a counter rotating outboard, I mounted the transducers on the port side, per both manufactures recommendations. For a normal rotation, there is room on the starboard side. the trim tabs are out of the way, and the transducers work well at all speeds, tabs up or down. I had to make some brackets to mount both transducers, but that was easy. Once in a while I reach back when we're stationary and clean the kelp off. Or back the boat down.

I'm not sure why one would want to mount the transducer on the inside of the hull, since it's so easily done on the rear of the boat. Allows easier service, as needed. And no holes under the waterline.

The dual frequencies are 83 kHz which gives a 60° FOV and 200 kHz for a 20° FOV. No discussion as to the depth of one over the other, just that it goes to 600'

Boris

jacuthbert · Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 9:57 pm Post subject: transducer location

Yes Charlie, you are right. I got it from Doryman and I believe it belongs outside the hull.
On another issue:
I just realized that I posted a query about anchoring and did not include your name as one of the people I would most like to hear from. Please forgive me. Your opinions are highly valued.
Amanda