Catalina 22 Transducer Install

Klaussic

Klaussic

.
Apr 16, 2020
47
Catalina 22 Slidell
Hi All,
Would anybody have a good advice or can tell out of experience where I should install my transducer for a Garmin echoMAP 44dv that is still in ”new” conditions and which I had on a different boat before? I would like to use it on a 1983 Catalina 22 swing keel. Ideally, mounting it inside without drilling holes in the still “virgin“ hull. Many thanks in advance!
 
AaronD

AaronD

.
Aug 10, 2014
732
Catalina 22 9874 Newberg, OR / Olympia, WA
@Klaussic : I think the most common location is in the locker under the V-berth, forward of the porta-potty slot. At least that's where mine is, and I think I've seen others install there as well. That location has easy access to the interior of the hull, and avoids turbulent flow around the bow and the keel (and cable routing under the liner back to your plotter is pretty straightforward).

Sounds like you have a in-hull transducer. Mine is a through-hull with a 2" hole, so I don't have experience with the in-hull type, but others have reported good results bedding them to the hull with toilet ring wax and similar substances (you just have to avoid air gaps; our C-22's hulls aren't cored, so the in-hull design will work fine).
 
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Klaussic

Klaussic

.
Apr 16, 2020
47
Catalina 22 Slidell
That’s big help already! Many thanks, AaronD! I will have to find out if my transducer is capable of thru-hull operation (GARMIN GT20-TM 8 Pin). I am just trying to avoid punching holes in the hull. Thanks again for your helpful input!
 
H

Hardhead

.
Apr 11, 2017
571
Catalina C22 Solomon's Island, MD
If you have a post 1987 C22 - there's easy access -- if you reach a hand up from the 2nd, smaller floorboard, adjacent to the dinette. That will place the transducer in the middle of the hull, ahead of the keel. One of the easiest ways to mount a "shoot through" transducer is to just use "plumber's putty" to seat the transducer (press putty on hull, smooth out any possible air pockets, and then press the transducer firmly into the middle) The transducer cable can be run under the floor, back to the companionway. Google "Shoot through transducers" and there will be a lot of info - quite a few can be done this way. Good luck-
 
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Gene Neill

Gene Neill

.
Sep 30, 2013
3,585
1988 Catalina 22 North Florida
I originally mounted mine in the popular spot under the V berth. But for reasons I never learned, it began to malfunction after a couple years. I tried everything under the sun (including replacing the transducer with a brand new one), but it just didn't want to work in that spot anymore.

I moved it to just aft of the keel winch, under the cockpit floor. It has been flawless there ever since.

It is mounted in plumber's putty.
 
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Klaussic

Klaussic

.
Apr 16, 2020
47
Catalina 22 Slidell
Hardhead said:
If you have a post 1987 C22 - there's easy access -- if you reach a hand up from the 2nd, smaller floorboard, adjacent to the dinette. That will place the transducer in the middle of the hull, ahead of the keel. One of the easiest ways to mount a "shoot through" transducer is to just use "plumber's putty" to seat the transducer (press putty on hull, smooth out any possible air pockets, and then press the transducer firmly into the middle) The transducer cable can be run under the floor, back to the companionway. Google "Shoot through transducers" and there will be a lot of info - quite a few can be done this way. Good luck-
Click to expand
Thanks! I have a 1983, might be different, but a good advice!
 
Klaussic

Klaussic

.
Apr 16, 2020
47
Catalina 22 Slidell
Gene Neill said:
I originally mounted mine in the popular spot under the V berth. But for reasons I never learned, it began to malfunction after a couple years. I tried everything under the sun (including replacing the transducer with a brand new one), but it just didn't want to work in that spot anymore.

I moved it to just aft of the keel winch, under the cockpit floor. It has been flawless there ever since.

It is mounted in plumber's putty.
Click to expand
I’m afraid I might not have the right transducer for that. Mine looks like this:
AB07292F-E890-4FCE-892F-A9CB6366D7A7.jpeg
 
H

Hardhead

.
Apr 11, 2017
571
Catalina C22 Solomon's Island, MD
It might actually still work as a thru-hull transducer. It would be easy to try it - just seat it - level and face down in some putty in a convenient spot as a test. If not - you can probably just buy a replacement thru-hull transducer for the same unit - they're pretty common. All of this has come down in cost over the years, so even a whole new unit isn't dramatically expensive. Good luck-
 
AaronD

AaronD

.
Aug 10, 2014
732
Catalina 22 9874 Newberg, OR / Olympia, WA
Klaussic said:
I’m afraid I might not have the right transducer for that. Mine looks like this:
Click to expand
Yes, that's a transom-mount style. I think they're more commonly used on motorboats. WM has a short article describing the different styles. As @Hardhead said, it might work through the hull; if it turns out you need a new transducer, I'm sure our hosts here at SBO will be happy to help.
 
Klaussic

Klaussic

.
Apr 16, 2020
47
Catalina 22 Slidell
Hardhead said:
It might actually still work as a thru-hull transducer. It would be easy to try it - just seat it - level and face down in some putty in a convenient spot as a test. If not - you can probably just buy a replacement thru-hull transducer for the same unit - they're pretty common. All of this has come down in cost over the years, so even a whole new unit isn't dramatically expensive. Good luck-
Click to expand
I will try it, maybe I get lucky. Otherwise, I will look for an in-hull transducer for sailboats, so I don’t have to drill holes in the hull. Great help, many thanks!
 
Klaussic

Klaussic

.
Apr 16, 2020
47
Catalina 22 Slidell
AaronD said:
Yes, that's a transom-mount style. I think they're more commonly used on motorboats. WM has a short article describing the different styles. As @Hardhead said, it might work through the hull; if it turns out you need a new transducer, I'm sure our hosts here at SBO will be happy to help.
Click to expand
Awesome! I can use every good advice and help I can get. But I will also try with Garmin first to see what is compatible with my echoMAP 44dv. At least I have a model number to start searching. Thanks a lot also for your help!
 
H

Hardhead

.
Apr 11, 2017
571
Catalina C22 Solomon's Island, MD
I bet it will work. I had a transom mount just like that, about 15 years ago - and it worked just fine as a thru-hull. The important part is smoothing the putty, to get good contact with the hull, and avoid air pockets. Make sure you seat the transducer level - and that's basically all it takes. If it doesn't read well - also try a different portion of the hull before giving up. Also, push the transducer into the putty - so that only about 1/4" or less of putty is between the transducer and the hull.
 
Lazy1

Lazy1

.
Aug 23, 2019
179
Catalina 22 13425 A driveway in Pittsburgh
I have that transducer and I wish I could tell you this works.

Mine is installed with the wax from a toilet ring and can't wait to see if it works. Everything I have read seems to indicate that it will be fine.
 
Klaussic

Klaussic

.
Apr 16, 2020
47
Catalina 22 Slidell
Lazy1 said:
I have that transducer and I wish I could tell you this works.

Mine is installed with the wax from a toilet ring and can't wait to see if it works. Everything I have read seems to indicate that it will be fine.
Click to expand
You mean, you have the same transducer I showed in the photo? If I use the wax from a toilet ring, how will this perform under Gulf Coast heat? It might get over 100° F in the hull on hot days. You think the wax will hold and not melt and run?
Thanks a lot!
 
Leeward Rail

Leeward Rail

.
Mar 20, 2015
3,215
C&C 30 Mk1 Winnipeg
Fwiw ours is mounted in sealant instead of plumbers putty.
We tested with putty first to confirm location, then used sealant.
 
Lazy1

Lazy1

.
Aug 23, 2019
179
Catalina 22 13425 A driveway in Pittsburgh
Klaussic said:
You mean, you have the same transducer I showed in the photo? If I use the wax from a toilet ring, how will this perform under Gulf Coast heat? It might get over 100° F in the hull on hot days. You think the wax will hold and not melt and run?
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand
Yes, I have the Garmin striker plus 4 and it came with a transducer like that. I'm too cheap to buy an in-hull till I can't get this one to work. I put mine under the back edge of the water tank. I have another abandoned transducer just behind this location that is epoxied to the hull :(

I suspect the wax would be okay in hot temps. It would probably the most soft when out of the water since the hull can be cooled by the water. Might try the plumber's putty in your case. Gene is in FL and he seems to be fine with it.
 
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Klaussic

Klaussic

.
Apr 16, 2020
47
Catalina 22 Slidell
Lazy1 said:
Yes, I have the Garmin striker plus 4 and it came with a transducer like that. I'm too cheap to buy an in-hull till I can't get this one to work. I put mine under the back edge of the water tank. I have another abandoned transducer just behind this location that is epoxied to the hull :(

I suspect the wax would be okay in hot temps. It would probably the most soft when out of the water since the hull can be cooled by the water. Might try the plumber's putty in your case. Gene is in FL and he seems to be fine with it.
Click to expand
Thanks a lot! I will try with plumber’s putty first and see if I get reliable readings. I think that one way or the other should work. It is a unit that I already had from a powerboat where it worked great with the transom mount transducer. I live at Lake Pontchartrain with an average depth of around 10 feet. I really can need help from the depth finder. Much obliged!
 
rpludwig

rpludwig

.
May 23, 2016
1,024
Catalina 22 #12502 BSC
'84 here, in v-berth aft, in plumbers putty....less messy than toilet wax. AND it was a "transom mounted" transducer, works fine as a thru hull....Lowrance IIRC,....fwiw...
 
Hunter216

Hunter216

.
Sep 22, 2018
1,869
Hunter 216 Kingston
Klaussic said:
Hi All,
Would anybody have a good advice or can tell out of experience where I should install my transducer for a Garmin echoMAP 44dv that is still in ”new” conditions and which I had on a different boat before? I would like to use it on a 1983 Catalina 22 swing keel. Ideally, mounting it inside without drilling holes in the still “virgin“ hull. Many thanks in advance!
Click to expand
Congrats on your new to you boat!

Last I saw you were thinking about a Catalina 30.
 
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