Anyone have ideas where to place a shoot-thru-hull transducer? Anyone installed one or know where Grady White recommends to locate it?
2001 226 Seafarer
2001 226 Seafarer
Where to place shoot-thru-hull transducer
- Thread starter merlin25
- Start date
GW recommended we mount our shoot-throughs in the forward bilge, under the companionway steps and forward of the water intake for the head and the overboard for the holding tank.
Started with a little Lowrance 200-khz hockey puck to try it out, then added an Airmar M260. Had them on a transducer selector switch. Recently replaced the hockey puck with a Lowrance Skimmer, still connected through the selector switch.
We track at all speeds. And I have held bottom in 2800-feet in the Norfolk Canyon. Probably could go deeper, but I didn't adjuct the gain.
Can see fish on the bottom in 300+ feet, and have seen grouper next to ledges in 650+ feet.
Here is what you can do: Put your transducer in a one-gallon Ziplock bag and try it in different locations in the boat. Probably need a second person to hold it in position, but it will give you a pretty good idea of "clean" places. Make sure you try it at whatever speeds you want it to work at, so you can see if the hull is getting aerated at that location.
Brian
Started with a little Lowrance 200-khz hockey puck to try it out, then added an Airmar M260. Had them on a transducer selector switch. Recently replaced the hockey puck with a Lowrance Skimmer, still connected through the selector switch.
We track at all speeds. And I have held bottom in 2800-feet in the Norfolk Canyon. Probably could go deeper, but I didn't adjuct the gain.
Can see fish on the bottom in 300+ feet, and have seen grouper next to ledges in 650+ feet.
Here is what you can do: Put your transducer in a one-gallon Ziplock bag and try it in different locations in the boat. Probably need a second person to hold it in position, but it will give you a pretty good idea of "clean" places. Make sure you try it at whatever speeds you want it to work at, so you can see if the hull is getting aerated at that location.
Brian
I just installed a p79 on a 272 sailfish so far so good. Cost about 100. Located in bilge on 18 degree deadrise, old one was on tranducer flats and didn't work not sure if it was the placement of the ducer. Very easy to install, checked the location first by just applying some K-Y jelly to the ducer and stuck it to the location I wanted, after testing worked ,I made it permanent.
I called Grady regarding where to put a shoot through the hull on a 2006 228 and they said to just use a transom mount ducer on that boat. I really didn't want to drill by transom so I took out the livewell and mounted it in the aft bilge a little up from the bilge pump and a little forward from the brass seacock pick up. Its an airmar unit and it works great back there. Taking out the livewell and putting it back was not that difficult either. you have to remove the hinges and completely remove the lid first and then it's just 8 screws and two hoses. Caulk it back in when complete...
Thanks. I got the same reply from Grady White saying that for the small boats (26' and less) that they recommend the transom mount. Like others I am trying to avoid the transom mount. I seem to have room in the rear bildge (through deck covers) and possibly forward in the hatch where the second gas tank goes (which I don't have). Problem with the forward space is that it seems to have a flat bottom which means I am not at the exterior fiberglass layer. I think I will try the temporary set up on the bildge area.
Mhff34 - any reason you used K-Y and not just a regular vaseline?
Mhff34 - any reason you used K-Y and not just a regular vaseline?
Brian, how far off the centerline is the shoot thru located ?
I have the P79 in the rear bilge about 10 inches off the and centerline, travel in waters a lot shallower. The depth looses at high speeds many times, flashes the screen numbers. Dojn't understand why, the hull is clear ahead of it.
My forwad bilge is too far forward I believe.
I would have to saw cut cut a hole in the flat floor of the FW tank compartment to reach the hull, its under the bridge area here where the hull would stay in the water.
Pain the the can.
I have the P79 in the rear bilge about 10 inches off the and centerline, travel in waters a lot shallower. The depth looses at high speeds many times, flashes the screen numbers. Dojn't understand why, the hull is clear ahead of it.
My forwad bilge is too far forward I believe.
I would have to saw cut cut a hole in the flat floor of the FW tank compartment to reach the hull, its under the bridge area here where the hull would stay in the water.
Pain the the can.
Has anyone out there cut into the floor beneath the forward fuel tank area? Thinking of going that way but curious if anyone has done that and what kind of job it would be?
Ky i think is water based whereas vaseline is oil based I believe. I installed mine pretty close to the center and a little aft of the tranducer flats. whats nice about the shoot thru is you can test different spots before you choose a permanent location.
BobP, Can't say for sure but two things that kill the signal are turbulence with the corresponding bubbles and putting the unit forward of the wake line ( The unit may either be out of the water when planning or in the wake turbulence.BobP said:
A funny story. Ever year my club has a procession past a reviewing stand. We have a dozen boats or so all relatively closely spaced and making about 6 knots. Just about everybodys sonar doesn't work during the procession, except for the first boat. It seems that the churn of the boats screws up the transducers, both throughs and transoms). The first year, I was convinced my sonar went bad. The second year I kind of remembered that I had a similar issue the previous year. Now I just expect it not to work and hope tha the lead vessel knows where he is going
The hockey puck and the skimmer on right on the centerline, shooting through the heaviest layup. The Airmar is in one of those yellow plastic housings, and the inboard edge of the housing is about one-inch off the centerline.
Never have any problem "staying wet", i.e. doesn't lose tracking at any speed, even when catching a little air.
Held bottom at 3380 feet today, when trolling across the mouth of the Norfolk Canyon. But I do have a Lowrance LBS-1.
Brian
Never have any problem "staying wet", i.e. doesn't lose tracking at any speed, even when catching a little air.
Held bottom at 3380 feet today, when trolling across the mouth of the Norfolk Canyon. But I do have a Lowrance LBS-1.
Brian
BobP said:
I got back in touch with G-W and asked the rep if I don't want the transom mount where should I put the transducer. He said is first option would be in the empty space where the optional fuel tank goes (midship between the two pilot chairs - under hatch and need to remove part of wood piece of the tank support) and his second option would be in the rear bilge (he thought it would be more cluttered there). He thought the forward bilge area would be too far forward. From all the posts it seems 6-12" off the centerline is ideal. I am going to test the two spots this weekend and install the one with the best results. Thanks for all the input.