Is this the proper placement for a transducer?

Scootimus

Cadet
Joined
Feb 22, 2012
Messages
17
Ok gurus out there I need some help. I purchased a 96 Stingray 586 and this is the location of the transducer the previous owner's depth/fish finder was mounted. I've swapped the system out for a Garmin 431 and decided to use the same mounting location. My problem is that I get false shallow water alarms all the time from when I'm idling through a no wake zone in known 20ft water to cruising on plane. Does anyone have any input as to should I move the mounting location? And if so where? Thanks in advance!
Boat Transducer.jpg
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,762
Re: Is this the proper placement for a transducer?

It should be moved down, so the bottom of the transducer is even with the bottom of the hull.

In some cases, having the bottom of the transducer 1/16th" below the hull works better.
 

etracer68

Ensign
Joined
Oct 11, 2009
Messages
906
Re: Is this the proper placement for a transducer?

The cone signal could be returning from the transom. You should have recived intructons on placement with your new finder. Generally the botton Transducer will be parralle with the botton, or very slightly tipped up at backside, in any case the bottom of the transducer should bemaking contact with the water at slow and higher speeds. You may get a spray from it, indicating its to low. Mind is mounted, to where one side is lower then bottom, but parralle, side to side, with the concrete, and tipped up about an 1/8 in the back.
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Is this the proper placement for a transducer?

Its already on so try it and see if it works where it is.

If it doesn't lose signal at speed or throw a huge rooster tail I would leave it alone.

If you do have to move it you can use a mounting block and your original holes that way you aren't putting any new holes in the transom.
 

EddiePetty

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 25, 2008
Messages
1,008
Re: Is this the proper placement for a transducer?

I agree with all that the unit needs to be lowered. Additionally, I would mount one more cable stay close to the unit as spray from the OD and transducer will be constantly worrying the cable entry into the unit.

Our Garmin is mounted quite a bit lower and reads quite nicely at all speeds from idle to WOT.
 

JEBar

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 4, 2012
Messages
462
Re: Is this the proper placement for a transducer?

agree with moving it lower .... if it has an air gap between it and the water, it can't work as efficiently as it should

Jim
 

ricohman

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 30, 2011
Messages
1,631
Re: Is this the proper placement for a transducer?

I also agree its mounted to high.
I used a sternmate mount so I can adjust up and down without adding any holes.
 

Scootimus

Cadet
Joined
Feb 22, 2012
Messages
17
Re: Is this the proper placement for a transducer?

Thanks for the input. I figured I would use the existing holes because I didn't want to swiss up the back of the boat. It does lose signal at speed and that's the part that is aggravating me along with the shallow alarms. I thought it needed to be lowered but wanted some second, third, and fourth opinions.
 
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