Mounting my transducer

[ward cleaver]

I'm working up the nerve to drill a couple of mounting holes in my 12 foot aluminum boat to for the fishfinder transducer. I suppose its not that big of a deal but call me supersticious about drilling a hole in a boat.

Question: I've got a couple of rubber washers for each hole. Do I need some kind of sealant? I suppose it needs to be some sort of special marine sealant and not just the stuff you get at a hardware store for bathrooms.

By the way, as I understand it, drilling holes in a boat is not a problem as long as you always do it in pairs.

 

[dan t.]

Re: Mounting my transducer

a hole is a hole, what would pairs have to do with it? 3m 5200 or even 4200 fast cure will permanently seal any holes, use stainless steel machine screws with flat washers on the inside, use nylock nuts,go fishing

 

[ward cleaver]

Re: Mounting my transducer

Thanks for providing the details on the material I need to use. I had a feeling that the stuff laying around in the garage wasn't going to be good enough.

Two holes: one that lets water in and the other for letting water out

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Mounting my transducer

Honestly, there is no superstition at all in that. Holes of any sort in a boat hull are an opportunity to leak, regardless of how well you think they are sealed. And they most likely will. Conscientious boat owners just don't drill holes for obvious reasons...and some don't think before they do it either....some don't care. I own a Carolina Skiff and posed the question regarding accessory holes drilled in the transom. Their response was no particular surprise:
"I am contemplating mounting a transom-mounted fish-finder transducer on my boat. This will require drilling screw holes below the waterline and, of course, sealing the screws as well as possible. I am concerned about the potential for leakage that could remain undetected (at least for awhile) and water intrusion into the hull. While I understand that there likely would be no rot, the boat would take on water weight and could freeze causing damages. In the event that water intrusion occurred from mounting this type of accessory, would my boat warranty cover repairs or replacement for this type of claim?
Response:Carolina Skiff Response: 4/27/2009
From: Carolina Skiff Warranty Department (warranty@carolinaskiff.com)
Sent: Mon 4/27/09 12:36 PM

...Our factory warranty doesn?t cover any type of modification or alteration, which includes mounting transducers to the transom

...If water does leak into the screw holes created by himself or another person, this would not be covered by our warranty. Our warranty only covers manufactured defects in our workmanship.


Language in most all boat warranties reads very similar. I have always taken the stand that if the provisions of a boat warranty were good for it when it was new, they would be good for it long afterward its expiration. That's probably pretty good advice to follow.

 

[skargo]

Re: Mounting my transducer

People have been drilling holes in boats since boats have been around. Do it right and you'll have no problems, do it half arsed and you'll have trouble.

Of course warranties would state that, they look to get out of any liability any way they can.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Mounting my transducer

Yes they do, and yes they are.

 

[SeanT]

Re: Mounting my transducer

Two holes: one that lets water in and the other for letting water out

Yep - except that the top of the boat (you know, the one you climb in through) is one of the holes, which throws that all out of whack...

 

[ward cleaver]

Re: Mounting my transducer

I guess the main question is what hardware and sealant (if any) works best. I think I got a good answer on this from dan. I take it folks agree with his recommendations.

As for drilling holes in a boat: I just dont want to have to start a thread with something like "Well, like a fool with a power tool, I drilled a couple of holes in the transom to mount a transducer....".