Transducer Angle

[minuteman62-64]

Installing my new fishfinder. The manual says to adjust the transducer so it is parallel to the ground. No mention as to the angle of the boat as it sits on the trailer - bow high to allow any water to drain out; level as for trailing or at some other angle.

Seems to me that the transducer should be approximately parallel to the botton when the boat is at the most likely operating speed and trim when the fishfinder would be used. Which would mean I would raise the bow (with the trailer jack) to approximate the trim at this speed. Does this make sense? Or, should I just make the transducer parallel to the boat bottom (mine is flat in the aft sections). Or, am I over thinking this and it doesn't make that much difference?

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Transducer Angle

The goal of a straight up and down transducer beam during operation is trumped by the need to optimize a clean water flow over the bottom surface of the transducer. This may take some adjustments to the mounting angle once you've tried it out.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Transducer Angle

The goal of a straight up and down transducer beam during operation is trumped by the need to optimize a clean water flow over the bottom surface of the transducer. This may take some adjustments to the mounting angle once you've tried it out.

So, the best starting point would be with the transducer parallel to aft hull bottom where it is mounted?

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Transducer Angle

Everything depends upon the hull's configuration. Typically, transom mounted transducers are mounted NEARLY parallel to the water's surface, with the trailing edge of the transducer slightly lower than the front edge of the transducer (tilted down in the back). If you take a look at the Airmar guides for your style of transducer, you should have confidence in your approach to the problem.
http://www.airmartechnology.com/2009/products/installation-owners-guide.php