Transducer location for SS 16'?

[jdupree]

I am getting ready to install another fishfinder in my 16 SS. Has anyone found a good location for the transducer? Mine was located on the port side and never read well. Any pictures anyone has of their transducer location that works well would be greatly appreciated. Here is where mine was located. Not sure if mine was the fishfinder or the location??

 

[g0nef1sshn]

I havnt used one on mine yet, but there used to be one where I marked in red except it was on the starboard side. I know this isnt help from experience but a lot of the hulls I see have had them on the out side of the transom probably to keep the disturbance from the motor interfering with the readings. Cavitation and whatnot.

 

[dozerII]

Best location I have found is between the 1st and 2nd rivet in from the side of the hull, looking at your picture the straight row of rivets on the left side of your motor, half way between the last two rivets to the left and bottom of transducer level with the bottom of the hull. You want to stay away from chins and spray rails as well as rows of rivets which can all at turbulence and air bubbles.

 

[GA_Boater]

I seem to recall my instructions said to put the xducer on the starboard side as far from the motor as possible because of the prop turbulence. Mine is about where Gone marked, only on the other side between two lines of rivets on the bottom of the hull.

 

[MNhunter1]

Does your new finder have side imaging? Not sure if the traditional mounting locations as noted above have an impact on the side imaging capabilities, but I seem to see more and more transducers creeping closer to the motor. I believe this allows for a clear shot for the sonar to shoot between the transom hull and motor when in side imaging mode. If SI is not a factor, I'd prefer the more traditional location. However, if SI is a consideration, you'll need to factor in your sonar path/clearance to the opposite side of the motor.

 

[jdupree]

Thanks for the response guys. MNhunter, the fishfinder is a Garmin Echo 150. Nothing fancy, just need depth. So I guess the general opinion would be starboard side all the way out between the last 2 rivets?

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Thanks for the response guys. MNhunter, the fishfinder is a Garmin Echo 150. Nothing fancy, just need depth. So I guess the general opinion would be starboard side all the way out between the last 2 rivets?

Just to be sure, if yours didnt come with a manual I would try and look one up and see what they recommend for that model so we dont steer you wrong.

 

[BWR1953]

Here's the manual.

http://static.garmincdn.com/pumac/echo_100_150_OM.pdf

 

[g0nef1sshn]

[h=3]found this in their FAQ section.

What is the recommended way to mount my transducer?[/h]

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11/06/2013
There are a few different ways to mount a transducer. Below are some examples, descriptions and tips for each mounting style:
Transom Mounting:
Choose a location where the water flow is the smoothest and minimum turbulence and bubbles will exist, especially at high speed. The transducer needs to be continuously immersed in water and the sounder beam unobstructed by the keel or propeller shaft. Make sure that there is adequate headroom and there is a minimum dead rise angle.
Never mount the transducer near water intake, discharge openings or behind strakes, struts, fittings, or hull irregularities. Also, water near the keel can be quite turbulent which will negatively affect performance. For more information about preferred mounting locations, contact the boat hull's manufacturer.
A disadvantage of a transom mount is that air bubbles will affect the sonar performance.
In-Hull Mounting:
An enclosure filled with propylene glycol is the best mounting option for many boats. It works well on single skin G.R.P. (completely fiberglass) hulls, but is not suitable for sandwich construction, steel, aluminum, Ferro Cement, or wooden hulls. The ultrasonic signal produced by the transducer passes easily through liquids and solids but is greatly attenuated in air. It therefore follows that air inclusions in the fiberglass or a stream of air bubbles on the outside of the hull will both affect performance. The signal will pass through up to 0.75" thickness so avoid sitting the transducer over spray rails or reinforcements.
The signal from the transducer is in the shape of a cone (approx. 22 degrees). If it is mounted too close to the keel it can pick up an echo from the keel, so ensure adequate clearance. The optimum installation site can be found by temporarily mounting the transducer in a mound of grease or placing it in a polythene bag of water (wet on the outside too) and holding the bag against the hull.
The most vital point to remember with the propylene glycol method is that the fluid will need to be topped off regularly. The most common cause of depth reading problems is no fluid around the transducer.
Thru-Hull Mounting
Mount the transducer well aft, on or near the centerline, and well inboard of the first set of lifting strakes to insure that it will be in contact with the water at high speeds. Mounting the transducer on the starboard side of the hull where the propeller blades are moving downward is preferred.
Outboard and I/O?Mount just forward and to the side of the engine(s).
Inboard?Mount well ahead of the propeller(s) and shaft(s).
Stepped hull?Mount just ahead of the first step.
Boat capable of speed above 25 kn (29 MPH)? Review the transducer location and operating results of similar boats before proceeding.

 

[jdupree]

Thanks for all of the responses. I think the best place is the starboard side out near the last 2 rivets. That being the case, I guess I would need to mount it with stainless steel wood screws so it will dig into the aluminum?

 

[Watermann]

Personally if I'm adding something like a transducer in "no mans land" under the transom wood, I use closed end blind rivets with 5200. The only draw back there is you had better know where you want it because you can't adjust it up and down once set. The biggest problem people have is setting the transducer either too high or too low. Too high and it looses bottom when under way. The problem with too low is that it sprays water all over the place. The way I do it is to put a straight edge under the bottom of the hull to get an idea of where the holes need to be drilled for the the rivets or screws to be in the center of the bracket. Mark and then drill out the holes. I put the bracket back on using the rivets stuck in the holes to hold it in place temporarily but not set them. The key is to get the right angle on the transducer with the front being a bit higher than the back so the back is a bit lower than the bottom of the hull and the front in right in line. Then put the sealer on and set the rivets or run the screws in, which ever you decide to use. Hope that helps you out.

 

[Alumarine]

Thanks for all of the responses. I think the best place is the starboard side out near the last 2 rivets. That being the case, I guess I would need to mount it with stainless steel wood screws so it will dig into the aluminum?

You could mount a piece of wood in the approximate location and then attach the transducer to that.
That way you can move the transducer around until you find the sweet spot without drilling a bunch of holes in the transom.
It also works well if you change transducers.

 

[dingbat]

Starboard side, in a location with no rivets in front of it the entire length of the boat.

 

[laurentide]

You could mount a piece of wood in the approximate location and then attach the transducer to that.
That way you can move the transducer around until you find the sweet spot without drilling a bunch of holes in the transom.
It also works well if you change transducers.

Better yet, PVC board or King Starboard. No rot, and you can stick it on with 5200 so no holes.

 

[Watermann]

Starboard side, in a location with no rivets in front of it the entire length of the boat.

:lol: I sure hope you were joking... :laugh: